Chapter 9 - Now All in the Past
22nd March, The Manor House, Ball room, 19:20
Sarah never understood the point of a masquerade ball. Even if she hadn't been stuck in her two distinctive plaster casts, she was sure she'd be recognised by her brown pin curls and vintage style dress, regardless of any silly mask she had on. Orange Pekoe still had orange hair; Rukuriri's - albeit now unbraided - hair was still attached to Rukuriri's masked head; so it was easy to identify who everyone was. Sarah still sat in the same chair from the earlier conversation with Assam.
Sarah just sat and watched alone, as all the other girls from the other schools talked, laughed and danced together. "Are these seats taken?" came a voice taking Sarah out of her tunnel vision. She looked over to the voice, which came from an ashen-haired girl with one arm coming up to her. It was clearly Erika Itsumi, the Kommandant of the Kuromorimine team, who was wearing a dark red dress and black mask. With her, and identifiable by the multiple cuts and grazes from shell splashes across her upper body and even an eye patch, was Miho Nishizumi in a yellow summer dress.
"No, they are free; you can take them if you want," she said pointing to the free chairs around her, thinking they were going to drag them off to some other part of the party. Erika, however drew a chair over to Miho who sat down to Sarah's left and Erika sat to Sarah's right.
"So what's wrong with you? Why aren't you up with the others?" Erika asked coldly as ever.
"Leg and arm." Sarah pointed to her leg with her good hand and then up to her bad arm, completely needlessly, as the fact they were in plaster casts indicated they were the injured bits of her.
Erika did her best not to look like an idiot not seeing the glaring pure white plaster. So she jumped immediately to the next question. "What the crap happened?" Erika asked, sounding slightly more human.
"Stairs," Sarah said flatly, pointing to her plastered leg with her one free hand. "Rosehip," she added in the same monotone, gesturing to her other arm.
"You know we could make one operational human with all our working limbs," Eikia added, nudging Sarah with the stump that remained of her left upper arm.. She placed her jug handled glass half full of '0% alcohol free beer' down on her lap.
It went quiet for a moment as all five uncovered eyes gazed over to the other girls having fun. Finally, Erika looked down at Sarah's foot, noting Sarah's flat plimsoll shoe.
"I've never really been a big fan of casual flat shoes like that. They are so low to the ground and not really very smart," Erika said, trying to start up some conversation, although instantly making it awkward.
Sarah started to blush a little, feeling as if her worst fears had come true about the shoe. "I know, I'm sorry I wanted to wear high heels but my injuries just wouldn't let me," she said, closing her eyes and bowing towards Erika.
"Oh, Miss English, you are so funny," Miho chimed in with a little smile rubbing Sarah's back to calm her. "Didn't you see what happened to me after a Boko show I was in? At that big gathering at the Sensha-do Celebration Day?" Sarah shook her head. "Well I looked like an Egyptian mummy, that was embarrassing! That seems like such a long time ago now."
This seemed to lift Sarah's mood a little. "That isn't the Nishizumi style," she quipped.
"No, not really! Mother was not pleased after receiving the phone call from the hospital. She wanted to sue the Boko company for what they did, but I ended up saying I fell off the stage."
Sarah quickly looked over to Erika and whispered something into her ear. " What's Boko?"
"It's a bear thing. Gets beat up. She likes it," Erika replied blankly, giving a small hint of a shrug as she did so. Sarah looked over to Miho. All she could think in her head was 'Miho is a masochist?'
"So is Boko, a big thing for you then?" Sarah asked rather shyly.
"Yes he's amazing!" Miho grinned as her eye lit up. "He teaches people that however hard people beat you down, you should never give up," she added with a smile.
"I know this is a silly question but who would you say is a good Boko in this room? I mean spirit wise?" Sarah asked.
"Physically at the moment us three are the best punching bags and also Maho," Erika punted in.
Miho ignored Erika and thought for a moment. "Well everyone has been a Boko in their life or will be. You have Miss English and Miss Itsumi, so have I. Losing something you love. Be it a limb, friends or brother." The girls just sat there and pondered on that, all three of them having flashbacks to their pasts that they really didn't want to return too.
Miho looked over to where Maho was standing, with her own crutches still in hand with her thin black dress, which parted showing some of her leg. Some girls had just finished talking to her.
"I'm going to go and catch up with my sister, okay?" Miho said, rising from her seat.
Erika's gaze followed the departing Miho and then switched to Maho where her eyes lingered. Sarah suddenly understood what that gaze meant. Sarah took a quick breath; this had been just a rumour before but seeing Erika just then she knew it was true. She formulated her words carefully and as there was no one else around them, decided to ask the question.
"So you're dating Maho right? Or you want to," she asked Erika, deciding on a direct approach.
Erika's eyes snapped back to stare at Sarah. There was silence until Erika answered.
"Yes. I am," she said firmly, after what seemed to be an inner struggle.
"Good, I'm happy for you," Sarah added with a light nudge. "You too really do suit each other. The two of you are like Ying and Yang. Opposites that attracted." Sarah tried to reassure Erika that she had no problem with her and Maho being a couple. "I don't think you should be ashamed of your feelings and what they mean to you. My… if I had a partner I would want the same feeling of love and compassion as you two so definitely have."
"What made you the expert in the affairs of the heart all of a sudden?" Erika asked, somewhat coldly.
"My Boko side. I lost things that I loved; things that were close to my heart. I know what hurts it and I'm still trying to find ways to fix it. Love is the only key Erika. But it's a two sided blade. That's why it hurts so much to lose someone you loved dearly... like I did."
"Ah..." Erika blushed awkwardly. "I see. Of course. I felt the same way when I though Maho was dead," she confessed to Sarah. "I am sorry. I never knew James but I have heard a lot about him since."
"He was just a stupid person that's all he will ever be!" Sarah said quickly with a quaver in her voice. She knew she shouldn't have brought this up and knew it was about to bite her in the arse and give her more questions that she had to answer. But was she right with her analogy? Did she really love Darjeeling, or was it that she just wanted to please her, as a thank you for saving her. She didn't know for sure; she was lost in her own mind.
"Well… um, is all well here at St. Gloriana's?" Erika asked.
Sarah was aware that Erika, ever the tactician, was probably fishing for useful information, but she was glad at the chance to change the subject. She put thoughts of James out of her mind and dabbled her wet eyes with a tissue before her tears completely ruined her make-up.
"Why wouldn't they be?" she asked warily.
Erika shrugged. "It's always difficult when a new commander takes over. I found that to be the case, and Orange Pekoe is so young. I like her, of course, but has she ever commanded a team before?"
"I don't think she likes me…" Sarah mumbled, which didn't answer Erika's question.
"Oh? Why not?" Erika fished.
"Me and Darjeeling…" Sarah covered her mouth with good hand, those were some of the worst words she could have used. She was hoping the world would suck her up and end it all.
Erika's eyes widened. "You're not!?" she asked.
"We're just friends!" Sarah blurted out. "I'm just living with her while these injuries heal."
"I see," Erika said, sounding like she understood a lot more than what Sarah had said. "So what's that got to do with Orange Pekoe?"
Finally finding a sympathetic ear for her conspiracy theories, it all came pouring out of Sarah in a tearful torrent. The jealousy that she imagined Orange Pekoe was feeling; the sabotaged stairs; the inevitability of the 'accident' with Rosehip.
Erika listened attentively, nodding at intervals. Finally she spoke up.
"Maho was incensed when that final shell hit Miho's tank. And rightly so! Miho was lucky… she could have been completely blinded or even killed. The shot came from Orange Pekoe's tank, and there are rumours that Orange Pekoe herself gave the order to fire."
"Why would she do that?" Sarah said defensively, protecting the honour of her school rather than Orange Pekoe.
"Despite what happened to Anglerfish team, Ooarai is still a force to be reckoned with, and Miho is the powerhouse behind it. With her out of the way, all of a sudden this tournament becomes easier for the other teams," Erika explained. "Some are saying the Orange Pekoe's style is not like her predecessor's. Some are saying that she'll do anything to win."
Sarah barely had time to contemplate this before Erika grabbed hold of her plastered arm, making her wince.
"This reminds me. Shiho Nishizumi wants me to remind you that you still have a favour indebted to you. I think another girl used hers up already. Jasmine or something was her name. Do you know of her?"
Sarah nodded. "Yeah… she was my gunner and friend. What did she use her wish on?"
"She wanted to use the Kuromorimine's world renowned target range in January. She got to fire a lot of shells in a lot of different tanks. It helps that she's a good shot as well," Erika explained. Sarah was a little saddened that Jasmine didn't even tell her this story; it kind of put into perspective how wide the rift between her and her crew had now become.
"Look! There she is!" Erika was staring at a distinctive short figure with braided orange hair. "Why's she leaving the party?"
It was true; Orange Pekoe seemed to be heading for the exit.
"Come on English, let's see where she's going!" Erika said, rising from her seat.
"But...!"
"You can walk on that cast thing, can't you!?" Erika snapped.
"Not for too long," Sarah protested.
Erika helped Sarah up and they made their way after Orange Pekoe, trying their best not to be noticed. Sarah struggled to keep up with Erika, encumbered as she was with one straight and heavy leg that she couldn't bend.
Orange Pekoe did indeed leave the ballroom and the duo followed her, entering the corridor which was empty of anyone other than Orange Pekoe at the far end.
Sarah swung her casted leg and the heel underneath it hit the marble floor with a dull 'thunk'.
"Shh!" Erika hissed at her. "Walk on the carpet with that damned thing!" Erika indicated the plush full red carpet that ran down the centre of the corridor. Sarah sheepishly moved over and the two of them continued their pursuit.
They rounded the corner just in time to see Orange Pekoe turn left into a smaller corridor. Fortunately for the pursuers, Orange Pekoe was wearing high heels and didn't seem very sure of herself in them. She probably hadn't worn them much before as so was taking very small steps and consequently not travelling very fast.
Erika stalked and Sarah limped along the main corridor until they could peer around the corner where Orange Pekoe had gone. It was a smaller passage with a bare wooden floor and some very faint light from the wall mounted lights. The corridor had a ninety degree bend to the left half way along it and Orange Pekoe was now out of sight.
Erika stopped dead in her tracks, causing the hobbling Sarah to nearly collide with her.
"Tsk!" Erika hissed again. "She'll hear us on this floor. I'll have to go alone; you make too much noise," she told Sarah bluntly but truthfully.
Erika slipped off her heels and thrust them at Sarah. "Hold these " she instructed. She then scampered off down the corridor in her bare feet.
Erika had nearly reached the bend in the corridor when she left out a howl and collapsed to the floor. Shocked, Sarah immediately tried to rush to her colleague's aid. She did the strangest run she'd ever done in her life, which consisted of one stride with her plastered leg followed by two hops on her good foot, repeated until she reached Erika.
By the time Sarah reached her, Erika was sat up and swearing profusely while rubbing her foot with her single hand. Sarah saw Erika pluck some from her foot and hurl it from her in rage.
"What… happened!?" Sarah gasped as she half crouched and half fell beside Erika.
"I stepped on a pin!" Erika yelled, still rubbing her foot.
"A pin?" Sarah asked blankly.
"You know, a drawing pin; a thumb tack!" Erika raved. "Orange Pekoe must have known she was being followed and must have dropped it! Grr!"
Erika slammed her single fist onto the floor in anger at having been outsmarted and having lost her quarry.
"Well, we won't find her now, we'd better head back to the ball before we're missed" Erika fumed, getting to her feet. "Are you alright?" she asked, looking down at Sarah who had tears running down her cheeks.
"My… knee…" Sarah mumbled. That crazy run had certainly done it no favours and her leg was now throbbing mercilessly.
Slowly the injured girls made their way back along the corridor with Erika supporting Sarah, who grimaced every time she took weight on her injured leg. Erika, who only had a slight limp, picked up her shoes from where Sarah had dropped them when she tried to run, and slipped them back on so nothing would look unusual.
Once back in the ballroom, Erika was able to dump Sarah on Rosehip, instructing the pink-haired girl to get a chair for Sarah.
"Let me go and make some enquiries. We'll speak later," Erika said curtly to Sarah before stalking off just as Rosehip came back with the chair.
"Ladies. Ladies. The main guest has arrived," Rukuriri said into a microphone at the head of the ballroom. The ballroom fell silent. The oak doors opened wide to their fullest extent. And there she was Darjeeling, in the purest of blue dresses somewhat resembling a thin, wedding dress. A half white mask with diamonds surrounded her eyes. Sarah just looked at her from her chair, her mouth hanging open. She could tell that Darjeeling's body was different, the waist was thinner than usual, and very noticeably her front chest area looked a lot bigger with fair bit of skin showing. All the girls were very impressed as they all gathered around her touching the dress and saying how amazing she looked. Kay seemed very keen, touching Darjeeling on her upper arm and waist and making Sarah more than a little jealous.
Rosehip ran around with a silver tray full of champagne flutes filled to the brim with the bubbly liquid to each of the other girls. Rosehip came over with the last of the glasses, but Sarah just shook her head. "Could you get me what Assam had?" she asked in a small voice. Rosehip nodded and ran off.
"Ladies. Thank you all for coming. Enjoy the night and let's look forward to the future," Darjeeling said as she raised her glass. "To the future!"
"To the future!" came from the chorus around the ballroom. Some people after their sip then casually carried on talking to Darjeeling. Others made some disgusted faces, not being a fan of the alcoholic beverage.
"Your cranberry juice, madam!" Rosehip shrilled in Sarah's ear as she held out a large tumbler with both hands extended covering both sides of the glass.
"Ah! Oh, thanks," Sarah said, after her initial shock. She took the glass in one hand and had a sip. All the liquid that went in her mouth then went back into the glass. "Why is there vodka in here?" she coughed.
"This is Assam's usual drink?" Rosehip responded back, sounding confused.
"I can't drink alcohol as I'm on pills!" Sarah said through gritted teeth.
"What, you're pregnant?" Rosehip asked, wide-eyed.
Sarah just looked at Rosehip rather dumbfounded. Not wanting to go through the ins and outs of the creations of life, she shoved the glass back into Rosehip's hands. "I'll just have some water. Not an Assam special or an Orange Pekoe G&T. Just plain old H2O," she instructed. Rosehip then scurried off.
Sarah wanted nothing more than to leave the ball, go back to her rooms and rest her aching leg, but she knew she couldn't. This was Darjeeling's leaving ball and Darjeeling would be expecting her to stay to the very end. Putting on a brave face, she tried to ignore the mounting pain in her knee and sat on her own.
"Dinner will be served now so ladies if you can take a seat at a table," Orange Pekoe said magically appearing at the head table as she grasped some pieces of paper in one of her hands.
Rosehip reappeared like a pink-haired phantom and lent a hand to lift Sarah to her feet. She then helped Sarah to a nearly empty table at the back of the ballroom.
"I'll be back soon - I have to give out the special meals out. Who knew Carpaccio was a vegetarian?!" she said with a shrug as she dashed off towards an open door. Seconds later she was out again with a trolley of special dinners, as she rolled towards the girls on her list and passed out their dietary requirement meals. Last on her list was Kay. "Here you go. Your special roast dinner," Rosehip added with a smile passing it over to Kay.
"Thanks," Kay answered back.
"You're still on that silly gluten-free diet then?" Naomi added looking down at Kay's plate.
"Of course. Gluten makes the body sluggish and decreases the energy the body can store. I read it in a lifestyle magazine so it has to be true," Kay said inspecting the roast chicken with all the trimmings.
"You have only been doing this diet for a week. Have you seen any difference yet?" Alisa probed.
"Yes. One significant other has said there has been more energy shown," Kay smiled with a wink. Alisa rolled her eyes, wishing that her blushes could disappear.
Rosehip pushed open the door and rolled her trolley back into what Sarah had guessed was the kitchen. Seconds later Rosehip returned and sat down next to Sarah. "That's me done as a maid! I can join the party now. Dinner time!" Rosehip said holding her knife and fork in fists on the table. Trolley after trolley came out from the kitchen and the rest of the roast chicken meals were served to the other girls. Finally, Sarah and Rosehip got their meals. A fine cut of chicken breast with a fair bit of seasoning, the trimmings of roast potatoes, mashed potato carrots, string beans and broccoli. Lastly, a small jug of gravy was put on the table, which Rosehip seized and drenched her plate.
"Let's eat then," Rosehip added and began to shovel in the food. Sarah just ate taking her time not wishing to miss any flavours.
"Done!" came the voice from next to her.
Sarah looked at Rosehip's plate; even the gravy had been licked off.
"It's not a race Rosehip," she scolded.
"Sorry, I was hungry," was the cheery reply.
Sarah rolled her eyes and continued as if she hadn't seen what Rosehip had just done. Rosehip began to tap Sarah's shoulder. "Um, that empty seat on the head table," She said pointing to the vacant seat next to Rukuriri. "You're meant to be there. Let me just…" Rosehip stood to and moved behind Sarah to lift her up.
Aware that moving now would obviously make a scene, Sarah didn't want to show up Darjeeling. "No. Rosehip I am staying here," Sarah said rather forcefully. Rosehip shrugged and moved back to her seat and didn't say anything.
The sound of fine dining slowed and the windows began to show the last rays of sunlight as the sun dipped below the horizon of the dark blue sea, which heralded the end of one era and the start of another.
Rukuriri stood up and tapped a spoon on a glass to call for silence. "Miss Darjeeling, the floor is yours," Rukuriri said, sitting down again to allow Darjeeling to speak.
Darjeeling stood from her grand chair. "Thank you for all coming. This night could never be possible without all my friends and colleagues here but as if you know me well I'm going to say something that will sound familiar to you. Have you heard this saying? 'Fail to prepare and you prepare to fail'. I did prepare, but it seems I have still failed, as the speech I wrote has sadly gone missing. I remember most of it, however, so it should be alright!" she said with a little slur in her words but only a minor amount. A few grins became fixed to various faces. Only Rosehip looked like she was truly enjoying herself, and that's because she was playing on her phone which was held under the table so no one could see.
Darjeeling looked down at the new commander of St. Gloriana Girls' College Sensha-do Team.
"Miss Orange Pekoe, have you heard this saying? 'When you're going through Hell… keep going.' If you want to achieve greatness learn this saying well. The world will fight against you every step of the way until the bitter end. But nothing will stop you, or will it?" Darjeeling said, sounding slightly muddled. She then sat and took a large swig of champagne and smiled towards Orange Pekoe.
"Is that it?" Orange Pekoe asked in a hushed whisper.
"I forgot the rest, so hopefully you remembered yours better," Darjeeling replied in the same tone, with a slightly woozy smile on her face.
Orange Pekoe stood, "Ladies, I'm so honoured that you came today…" she said, eyes glued to the paper in her hands. "... Darjeeling has been our commander for such a long time. She has nurtured a great many Sensha-do stars and seen them bloom. And I hope to follow in these large steps. As some would say, I'm standing on the shoulders of a giant, which I do agree with. I will do my best for St. Gloriana, and I wish for all the ladies here to raise their glasses in a toast for a happy and successful future." Orange Pekoe lifted her flute. "To Darjeeling."
"To Darjeeling," was the response from around the room.
"Yay! Darjeeling!" Rosehip said, although thankfully not loud enough to carry to the top table.
Orange put her papers down and took a quick look around the room. "So dessert is apple crumble and custard. It's a British traditional meal, I hope you enjoy it. Afterwards, we will hopefully have some fun dancing till the sun rises!" she added with a slightly nervous laugh. There were a few titters and a smattering of applause as she concluded. She sat down and the plates were taken away by the waiters.
There were a lot of mutters around the tables. Even Sarah could pick up on some of them. "Well wasn't that speech rubbish." "She wasn't very confident."
Dessert was served soon after and that was quickly devoured. Darjeeling walked over to the middle of the ballroom and clapped her hands, and the lights were dimmed and pop music started playing. Darjeeling began to strut her stuff on the dancefloor in marked contrast to the elegant lady that most of the guests were used to seeing. Nonetheless, inspired by Darjeeling, other girls joined her and began to dance, with a wide variety of amazing and pitiful dancing ensuing. But if they were having fun then Darjeeling was happy.
Sarah just elected to stay and watch from her seat. The night went on and on, as guests slowly but surely departed from the party. Anchovy had proved to be a rather a funny lady whilst a little tipsy. At one point she had her arm around Orange Pekoe saying. "You learnt from us! You did operation Maconini … Maco...roni… to Ooarai. So we are strong! Not weak! We are ANZIO! We will beat you!" She had finally left by about two in the morning, tunelessly singing some Italian opera with Pepperoni.
By then only Darjeeling, Sarah, Kay and her entourage were left. Sarah was still amazed that Darjeeling was still able to stand upright, seeing as she'd been knocking back champagne all night long. Kay stumbled her way over to Darjeeling. "Tonight was amazing! Will you come to my leaving party?" she said. She looked pale and sweating slightly, which Sarah put down to the vigorous jives she had been dancing after eating a full roast dinner.
"Yes, yes of course!" Darjeeling replied. Kay smiled as the two exchanged kisses on each other's cheeks.
"Sorry, but I must go," Kay said, placing her hand on her stomach. Darjeeling gave a smile and nod and the three Saunders girls left.
Sarah then got herself up and moved towards Darjeeling. "Okay, let's go," she said taking her arm. She could smell the amount of alcohol Darjeeling had drunk and to say it was large was a little bit of an understatement. Darjeeling had a beaming smile across her face but didn't seem to be focusing on much. Sarah had to lead her out to the car, which wasn't an easy feat, considering the state of both of them.
After a car journey back to the flat, Sarah guided her drunken girlfriend to the bedroom. "You're sleeping here tonight, I'll sleep on the sofa." Darjeeling fell back onto the bed, grabbing hold of Sarah's hand as she fell, causing Sarah to overbalance and flop down too so she now lay beside and slightly on top of Darjeeling.
"You're not going anywhere tonight," the now ex-commander grinned.
"Darjeeling, not tonight," Sarah muttered, but Darjeeling rolled on top of Sarah, pinning her to the bed. "Hey! That hurts Darjeeling! Get off me please…"
"For me on my special night?" Darjeeling cooed as she pressed down a little harder, smothering Sarah somewhat as she tried to kiss Sarah's lips and neck.
"Oh, oh alright..." Sarah said very reluctantly, resigning herself to her fate and biting her lip in the process.
25th March, St. Gloriana Sensha-do Common Room. 17:23
The St. Gloriana girls celebrated the win over Anzio, which had taken place earlier that day and was a good boost for morale. The most exciting thing had been seeing the flag tank CV-33 doing a cartwheel to get behind Orange Pekoe's Churchill, only to realise that the machine gun bullets would just bounce off the back of the Churchill.
Rukuriri had a small group of girls from crews surrounding her and they all seemed to be in fits of laughter. Rukuriri appeared to be acting out some sort of comedy sketch, with impressions of the various protagonists, who were known as Sensha-do personalities. It all seemed to be very light-hearted and good-natured. Rukuriri was even parodying her own voice, accentuating the lisp that she was normally able to disguise. Only on rare occasions would her control slip and the odd word would slip out wrong. In her self-effacing send up of herself, however, she laid it on strong. "Wosehip! That is tweason! Webbellion even!" Her audience howled with laughter. Rukuriri voice changed doing an impression of Orange Pekoe to a T. "In our next match we will have a teapot as our second vice commander. Rukuriri is very lonely being the only in match, vice commander at the moment." Orange Pekoe also laughed which was a rare sight.
Rukuriri reverted back to her normal voice lifting her teacup. "And three cheers for player of the match - Green Gunpowder! Again a stellar performance today and hopefully many successful future matches to come! Hip hip!"
"Hurray!" all the crowd cheered, while Green Gunpowder lapped up the praise.
Sarah again sat alone in a corner of the common room making notes on how the battle had gone and what still needed improving, as things were far from perfect. She checked the other results on her laptop. Pravda had smashed Saunders, 5 - 0. Even Sarah didn't expect this. She clicked on the small report made by the JSF. The headline read 'Ill Kay costs Saunders as Pravda dominate'. She skimmed the article until she got to something that caught her eye. 'Saunders team doctor says Kay was absent due to food poisoning'. Sarah smiled to herself. 'Due to excess alcohol from someone's leaving dinner, more like!' she thought. She recalled how grim Kay had looked when she left Darjeeling's farewell ball. Although, Sarah mused, could a hangover really last three days?!
Sarah looked down at the fixture list, Saunder's would be playing them next.
1st April, Yokohama city. 10:10
The carrier ship had finally arrived in the deep port tranquil waters of Yokohama port, the home port of St Gloriana Girls' College. Darjeeling, wearing a summer dress with a large straw hat with a bright ribbon, walked down the gangway pushing Sarah along in her wheelchair, of course.
"I still can't believe you're wearing summer clothes in spring? What are people going to think?" Sarah said again as this argument just never seemed to end from the apartment all the way to gangway.
"Well, do you know this saying? 'Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself' and compared to what you're wearing..." She looked down at Sarah's shorts and St Glorina P.E shirt. "You cannot really judge."
"I dress for comfort, you on the other hand dress for laughs," Sarah returned.
"I wonder how cold the water is down there? It would be a real shame if you fell in," Darjeeling said with a devilish grin on her face, as they reached the end of the gangway now on the solid port ground. Darjeeling wheeled her around to face the sapphire waters below.
"You wouldn't dare..."
Darjeeling moved down to Sarah's ear so her hat was covering both their faces. "Do you really want to find out?"
Sarah raised her finger and opened her mouth, but she caught sight of at Darjeeling's cunning smile that usually heralded that something would happen if she spoke. "I best shut up then."
"Good answer. Time to go shopping!" Darjeeling chirped as she rolled the wheelchair towards the glass-covered metropolis.
They headed to one large shop sticking out from the rest with its modern glass wall exterior and a Crusader in the inside on a pristine white stone floor.
"I love this dealership so much! T there is no better place to get tanks," Darjeeling said rolling the chair towards the main glass door which automatically slid open.
"T&S?" Sarah queried.
"Tanks and Shells. They are very prestigious. They have been supplying St Gloriana for years. They were one of the first companies to sell built-in 'carbon armour mark three' which was lighter and longer-lasting than the old models. They put it into all of their Sensha-do tanks as standard," Darjeeling explained like a true tank nerd.
"I see," Sarah said.
As she watched Darjeeling had a nerdgasm. "Yes, this place is definitely my favourite one! They have …" Darjeeling stopped and calmed herself down as her cheeks were getting rather red and flustered. "You'll see," she added with a kiss on Sarah's forehead.
As they entered the establishment a man in a grey suit white shirt without a tie walked over to the two of them. "Ah, Miss Darjeeling, are we here to make a purchase today?" he asked smoothly.
"Well, actually yes we are, but it's my friend here who wishes to purchase a tank of her own. I'm just here to give a guiding hand," Darjeeling said, giving a courteous smile.
"Oh really, how interesting," the salesman replied, giving Sarah's battered appearance only a hint of a sideways glance. "You know where to go. Give me a call when you need me," he responded, gesturing to the corner of the room. An opaque rounded glass dome thing was there, which Sarah had no idea what it was. Darjeeling wheeled Sarah over to the area and as they walked closer the dome split opened. Darjeeling moved in with Sarah until they were both inside. The interior was lit with a creamy glow, and Sarah imagined being inside a cloud. The whole egg-shaped thing began to move down slowly, and after about 20 seconds of travel, it stopped and opened. The sight that met Sarah's eyes was something she never thought was possible. Row after row of tanks met her eyes. Churchills with every model, T-34s, Shermans, everything imaginable seemed to be in this huge white underground area.
"So, let's go shopping!" Darjeeling said like a kid in a candy store. She began to wheel Sarah down the first of many long lines of metal monsters.
"How about this?" she said, stopping if front of an obvious candidate. "A Cromwell, but your very own one?" Darjeeling asked pointing to the boxed shape of the Cromwell in front of them.
"Well, it's always an option, but I want something a little more punchy," Sarah said hesitantly.
"Fine," Darjeeling sighed, pushing Sarah along the smooth white floor to some more parked tanks.
"It has to be this then," Darjeeling said as she parked Sarah in front of a rather familiar tank. "77mm gun; basically a 17 pounder. Good armour and speed is still respectable." Sarah nodded as she considered.
"The Comet is an excellent and perfect match for your type of Sensha-do," Darjeeling went on. "Shall I check the interior?"
Without waiting for an answer from Sarah she climbed up onto the front part of the hull of the tank, and in doing so gave Sarah a quick and unexpected view of her undergarment.
'Navy blue today. Interesting!' Sarah internally remarked to herself.
Sarah took her eyes off Darjeeling, who had by this time stood by the turret and gazed into the glistening tank.
"Looks pretty good from what I can see," Darjeeling said, turning back to face Sarah.
It had to be; it was the one and only logical choice… but something began to tug at Sarah's heartstrings. "I can't. Even though this was the first tank I ever sat in, fired… I just can't. This was one of James's tanks and his favourite. I'm not following in his footsteps Darjeeling."
Darjeeling looked at the turret, then back to Sarah. She could see and understand Sarah's point - just about. "But, just keep it in mind. It's a very good vehicle; there is a reason why James loved it," Darjeeling urged. She hopped down and moved Sarah again along the promenade of tanks.
"Look that one! That one!" Sarah pointed out ecstatically. Darjeeling following the directions of her navigator was shocked and rather disapproving, even before Sarah opened her traitorous mouth. "75mm high-velocity gun; good armour! And the Brits did use one during World War Two. The 4th Coldstream Guards used it," Sarah pointed out to back up her case.
"I am aware of that," Darjeeling said coldly, eyeing the Panther that Sarah was enthusing about. "And how did Cuckoo end, hmm?" Darjeeling asked looking down onto Sarah's head, as Sarah looked up to her instinctively, knowing her angry glare was upon her.
"Er… five months it lasted..." she replied hesitantly.
"As the fuel pump broke, and the same would happen at St. Gloriana. We wouldn't be able to fix it except at great cost and I don't think the Governors would help with the upkeep of a foreign tank. Especially a Panther tank"
"But..." Sarah tried to protest.
"Nope - it's not going to happen and don't think about arguing with me," Darjeeling said flatly as she moved Sarah away from the winter coloured Panther.
They turned down another row of steel behemoths and began to peruse those.
"Black Prince?" Darjeeling asked.
"Too slow."
"There. A Churchill AVRE," Darjeeling pointed out the heavy 'bunker-busting' tank with its stubby spigot mortar.
"I don't think that's any better," Sarah sighed.
"Oh there; there's a Tortoise!" Darjeeling squeaked with glee.
"I think that might be a little out of my price range and again I want to be able to move Darjeeling," Sarah countered.
"Have you heard this saying: 'slow and steady wins the race'?" Darjeeling replied.
"Yes!" Sarah said, rolling her eyes at the years-old saying "But I want to have a tank with speed that will be measured with the use of a timer, not a calendar!" she quipped.
"Hmph!" Darjeeling replied, although conceded that Sarah had a point.
They continued to walk along silent rows of the vehicles. A Mk 1 Centurion presented itself, coated in pure black with a polish on top, making it sparkle as both girls looked at it, mouths watering.
"When we fought the University All Stars, this was the only thing I was scared of. The T-28 was nothing compared to this," Darjeeling said, rubbing her hand on the front plate of the tank.
"Speaking of that, do you think Green Gunpowder is on par or better than Alice Shimada?" Sarah asked, curious to hear what Darjeeling thought of that upstart.
"She is very skilled, she has huge potential but as C.S Lewis put it 'A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you'. That's what I think but it's Orange Pekoe's decision to use her or not; not mine any more."
"She is talented for sure but she needs to learn that it's a team sport, not an individual sport," Sarah said back.
Darjeeling looked at a little plaque near the front of the tank which contained a little info on the history of the Centurion and other nuggets of information - including the all important price.
"Well then if a Tortoise is out of your price range… then a Centurion is definitely out of your reach then," Darjeeling sadly concluded.
"How much?" Sarah asked, her curiosity piqued.
"For what you need, considering ammunition, spares etc… a lot! This, Pershings and IS-3s are some of the most expensive tanks," Darjeeling informed her.
"Darjeeling, just tell me please?" Sarah begged. Darjeeling lent in and whispered the number in Sarah's highly anticipating ear.
"Okaaaay! Let's move on then!" Sarah quickly instructed, shocked by the price. Darjeeling chuckled and moved Sarah's wheelchair forward. Sarah turned as she moved away, keeping her eyes on the Centurion. "One day, my beauty, one day," she muttered to herself, giving the tank a blown kiss as they departed.
The whole thing seemed to be hopeless; nothing seemed to be right. Valiants, Cruisers, Crusaders, Sentinels.
"Okay, it seems this was a waste of time. The Cromwell it is then…" Sarah said, a little disheartened. She knew the Cromwell, as good as it was, wasn't her overall tank of choice.
As they rounded one of the Matildas to another row, Sarah's eyes fell upon another steel beast. Her heart leapt, and she knew it had to be. "That! That's it!" she gasped, pointing with the arm that she was able to straighten and leaning far forward in her seat.
"That's quite a strange choice, but I see why you would want it. I suppose it does have a lot going for it," Darjeeling nodded in agreement. "It seems very 'you'. Hmm… yes… I think you've found your tank!"
The Spring League Tournament: Round 3 results
Kuromorimine Girls' Academy 5-v-0 Chi-Ha-Tan Academy
Saunders University High School 0-v-5 Pravda Girls' High School
Anzio Girls' High School 2-v-5 St. Gloriana Girls' College
Ooarai Girls' Academy 5-v-0 BC Freedom High School
The Spring League Tournament: League table after Round 3
1st Kuromorimine Girls' Academy - 13
Joint 2nd Ooarai Girls' Academy - 12
Joint 2nd Pravda Girls' High School - 12
4th St. Gloriana Girls' College - 10
Joint 5th Saunders University High School - 7
Joint 5th BC Freedom High School - 7
7th Anzio Girls' High School - 4
8th Chi-Ha-Tan Academy - 0