Chapter 19 - Then it happened
"So it's happening again?" Sarah asked.
"Yep, they want me out and I'm no Assam, but even I know no the odds of me winning this are slim But I still have some options still available."
"Which are what exactly?" Sarah asked, trying to deduce the cards Orange Pekoe held.
"The only thing I have. And it is you."
"What, me!?" Sarah said in complete shock, nearly falling off the chair opposite Orange Pekoe's commander's desk. "Why me?"
"Yes, why do you think I asked you to command that Shamrock battle? I didn't just do it because I wanted to annoy you but because you have potential but you lack experience in overall command and at this moment in time that is the only thing holding you back."
"But Rukuriri hasn't held any…"
"She is the head of the infantry tank squadron and was a main player for us in that week-long battle if you remember. Only Rosehip has more experience," Orange Pekoe leaned back into her large leather chair. "We both know she's not got the right temperament to become overall commander. Well, Darjeeling wanted to utilise her abilities, which is why she came up with the Chindits squadron."
"Are you really sure though? About all this?"
"Yes, yes I am English Breakfast,"
12:13 Tea Room 20th May
The black box was emptied out once again onto the table by the same St Gloriana student from the student council. Every member of the A team was again rammed into the congested room. Orange Pekoe sat at the head of the table with Sarah standing behind her. At the far end Rukuriri sat, her face one of complete control and confidence.
"The motion of no confidence has been counted," the girl proclaimed to the room. "The 'ayes' are twenty five. The 'nays' are six. So the 'Ayes' have it." The room filled with no noise whatsoever, as eyes followed the lips of the school council elective. "Due to this a new leader must be elected to run the club. To be in contention of being the new Sensha-do commander of St Gloriana, you must have the backing of at least five current members of the club. Once you have your signatures make sure they are handed into the school councils office by the end of the school day otherwise you will not be put forward as a candidate. After this, a first past the post vote will take place with all candidates on the vote list. Is this all understood?" the spectacled girl explained to the room. The occupants of the room gave their approval mostly with nods. Once the student councillor had vacated the room, the talking began.
Almost immediately five signatures were already in front of Rukuriri. "I hope to see my fellow comrades join me in voting for me, to start a new and successful era at St. Gloriana," she announced to the room.
Sarah just held her tongue. She could sense the uncanny amount of smugness from across the room and it was more unbearable than her knee pains.
"Miss English, Miss English?" Orange Pekoe said tugging at Sarah's arm, taking her out of her tunnel vision on the brown haired Judas. "You have five signatures," Orange Pekoe said to her.
"Five?" She asked a little befuddled.
"Yes. Rosehip, Roselle, Rosemary, Teapot and me."
"But Teapot is in the B team?"
"Yes, but she is still in the Sensha-do Club. Nothing said it had to only be A team members," Orange Pekoe observed.
"You're right there," Sarah acknowledged.
"Also Rosehip was telling me that the Challenger is still not repaired yet."
"What! Those bloody mechanic slackers. Okay, I'll go check it out myself and I'll take the signatures with me up to the school council's office after," Sarah said.
"Are you sure? I can do that for you?" Orange Pekoe offered.
"No, no it's best if I do it in person. I would think it would give a bad impression if someone took it on my behalf."
Orange placed the piece of paper into Sarah's hand, to which she folded neatly and placed inside her inner pocket of her Sensha do blazer.
The leadership vote was not too far away in perspective of time. But Sarah had made up her mind on wanted to do with her free time, she needed to check on how the mechanics had or even if they had fixed the Challenger and if it was even up to scratch if they did. The Challenger was again in its own small garage, as she made her way to the end of the mechanics area, missing out all of the large hangers with up to 20 tanks being fixed at any one time, but oddly enough hardly any tanks were being fixed up. Not even the Churchill Mark VII was in there from the rather short glance she did whilst hobbling past.
Slowly but surely Sarah made it. She slid the rollers on the front doors wide open so the sun could paint the muzzle break of the 17-pounder and worked its way to the front of the tank. Still there was a large collection of scratches from the battle covering the tank. The massive dent in the turret was still there with the rear exhaust covers seemingly the only thing replaced from their impact in the fracas in the fog.
"These mechanics! What do we pay them for!" Sarah moved along the tank, her hand feeling the tracks as if she was a pilot on a pre flight check.
The sound of squealing rollers and the light of the sun disappeared, with the doors closing.
"Stop, I'm still in here!" Sarah yelled as she began to hobble back to the front of the tank in the near pitch black with only a small crack of light between the doors seeping in.
A click followed by the blinking of fluorescent tube lights which slowly buzzed into life above Sarah's head. Sarah snapped her head around trying to find the prankster. Immediately she found the person. Green Gunpowder, standing near the front door just on the side. Where the light switch must have been.
"Oh hi, Green. Um, why are you here?" Sarah asked as Green Gunpowder slowly walked up to her, with a small grin on her face.
"I'm here to see you, Miss English. I was here to give you some advice,"
"Oh great but that has to wait, unfortunately I have to get to the vote," Sarah said, not wanting to stay with Green Gunpowder as she gave off a weird vibe that Sarah didn't like, making a beeline for the exit.
Green Gunpowder outstretched arm blocking her. "Miss English, I'm giving you free - and very useful - advice on that. It would be beneficial for you to listen," she added rather coldly, giving Sarah shivers down her spine.
"No, no I'm fine thanks," Sarah said as she tried to barge past Green Gunpowder, who instantly took a step back, reposting herself in front of Sarah so she could look into Sarah's now fearful face.
"Last warning."
"What do you mean?"
Green Gunpowder just sighed and looked down to Sarah's braced knee then back to the green eyes of Sarah's. "How much would it hurt if I kicked that knee of yours? I'm guessing it would really hurt."
"Get out on my way!" Sarah said firmly as pushed her adversary. Green Gunpowder grabbed her arm and using Sarah's momentum pulled her forward onto the concrete floor, winding Sarah in the process as she crashed hard onto the floor.
"This is my advice. Sarah Alexander. You will not put yourself forward. You won't stand against Rukuriri. You will instead obey her as your commander," Green Gunpowder said bluntly as she rested her boot lightly on the back of Sarah's bad knee. "You're not going to put yourself forward are you?!" Green Gunpowder spoke with every word, getting more and more intense.
"...I will!" Sarah yelled back.
Green Gunpowder pushed her boot down onto the back of Sarah's knee the pain shot through her body like an electric current.
"Wrong answer. Are you going to put yourself forward?"
"Y...yes!" Sarah whimpered. The result was more pressure pushed on by Green Gunpowder's boot.
"You just don't ever learn. Do you! Which is a reason why you shouldn't stand. Which is ironic in the situation you find yourself in. Isn't it?" She added with a little chuckle to herself enjoying the moment to the fullest.
"I can't give up."
"Oh yes, you can!" The boot went deeper. As Sarah screamed from the pressure. "85%. I'm sure I could make it lower. How does 60% sound?" She pushed down harder as Sarah squirmed. "You know what, I think 25% would be a better number." Green Gunpowder lifted off her boot, and like an axe into an oak tree, she slammed her boot hard onto the back of Sarah's knee. "Given in! Or we can stay here and wait for the vote to take place. I don't care. It's very much up to you."
Everything seemed to go through Sarah's head, her commanding the B team with Shamrock, her arguments with Darjeeling, the BC match, her crew abandoning her for Green Gunpowder. With the pain being opening up something different, it started to give her mind clarity, removing her from her stresses, anxieties and fears. But what she felt was a tugging in her chest. Sarah just really didn't know what this meant, was it a sign? Her mind began to follow this odd sensation with it taking deeper and deeper down to what must have been her heart. Sarah then began to understand what this journey was all about. She wasn't a leader and she could never be, the five signatures were just wasted ink on the folded piece of paper.
"Fine I… I give up! I won't challenge Rukuriri!" she cried out.
"Ah finally…" Green Gunpowder added, removing her boot off the battered back of Sarah's knee, but for Sarah the pain still coursed through her, keeping her pinned to the floor. She lent over and whispered into Sarah's ear. "...Miho was wrong about you. She said you were like Boko; someone who would never give up. How wrong was she…"
As she was speaking, Green Gunpowder's hand slid into Sarah's inside pocket, and with her taunt finished she removed her hand and with it the folded paper. With a light smile she turned and walked to the door rolling them open, a moment later her hand hit the light switch filling the garage with the void of the darkness apart from the small sliver of sunlight coming through the main doorway. She moved back so only a silhouette of herself, and casting a long shadow over the crippled Sarah's floor-bound body. "How funny that one so-called trip down the stairs could cause so much damage in the long run. Someone will come and pick you up… After the vote of course. " She slammed the door closed and the sound of a bolt sliding across the front of the door echoed around the garage, leaving Sarah trapped in her prison. Sarah couldn't even move. Her leg was just numb. She ran her hand down the back of her left knee, she felt the heat and the hardness of bruises forming on her skin. The side of her face on the concrete flooded with tears.
"Why … why ... me?" Sarah wept to the darkness.
Rukuriri's Office.
Sarah and Orange Pekoe sat alone in the sensha-do head office. Their heads facing the empty chair behind the oak desk, of which Orange Pekoe was sitting in only a couple hours ago.
"Did they hurt you, English?" Orange Pekoe asked, looking across to Sarah's still red face from her tears. Sarah just nodded.
After a couple moments Sarah opened her mouth, but just didn't know what to say. Why was she here? What did she do to deserve being beaten? Why her? "Green Gunpowder… she broke me and left me on that floor. Hours later mechanic found me and brought me here,"
"Does it still hurt... your knee?" Orange said looking down to the swollen, bruised lump which was Sarah's knee.
Sarah just looked with the deadest of eyes over to Orange Pekoe's weary face. Both were in the same boat; they both looked worn down and exhausted after being ground out and spat out of the St Gloriana system and it showed.
Sarah just looked up and down at Orange Pekoe not really wanting to land any particular spot on her. The redcoat she had on with its black collar and epaulette badges. Then back to her ginger hair, then back again to the rich red of the coat. As a question formed on her lips. "Are you Redwing?!" Sarah said in a low hoarse voice, with her eyes drifting over to Pekoe's face to study her reaction.
Orange Pekoe's face changed to one of perplexity. "Who is Redwing? What is Redwing?"
The door of the office opened. Rukuriri walked in, with Green Gunpowder by her side. She slipped past both of them and sat in the grand chair. "Thank you both for coming," she said. Green Gunpowder stood behind Rukuriri hands behind her back. "So as the new commander of St. Gloriana, well, all but in name, that is, we have to shuffle some people around. So from today Miss Orange Pekoe you will be head of the B team. If numbers are needed you will be called upon to fill in for the A team. Miss English Breakfast you will be vice commander of the B team. And the same goes for filling up the A team. Understood?" she said rather briskly, not really keeping her eyes on any of the two girls in question.
Orange Pekoe closed her eyes and just nodded. Sarah didn't react at all and just glared at Rukuriri.
"Am I clear Miss English?" Rukuriri added with a bit of force in her tone, counter attacking with eyes sharper than the finest blade.
"You are Redwing… aren't you?" Sarah mumbled back at Rukuriri.
Rukuriri took a breath. "Miss Orange Pekoe and Miss Green Gunpowder you two can leave."
Three months earlier, 10:10, 14th February, The Tea Garden
"... you will be the greatest, if you trust in your own abilities and have faith in your convictions.
Yours faithfully, your loving cousin..."
The lines always read the same, the flow was constant, the meaning always meant something new to her everytime she reread that worn piece of paper.
With its well indented folds, she tucked the now quartered piece of paper back into her scarlet Sensha do jacket. Her very own, unlike the letter it was still new and uncomfortable even if it had been made to measure, it just didn't feel right.
"Miss, Miss?"
The thoughts of the uniform and the letter vacated her memory and she returned back to the world of the elegant and professional nature of St Gloriana's Tea Garden.
"Yes, sorry I was miles off," she said rather distantly. She turned around on the gravel path, the stones rolling under her boots. She laid her eyes on the one who had called her. The girl with her thick rich brown ponytail coming over the front right of her shoulder.
"Miss Rukuriri. I apologise I didn't mean to impede you," she said as she bowed a full ninety degrees.
"If you're impeding me, you're doing a rather poor job of it," Rukuriri answered with not a sour tone to her voice.
Looking up, the bowing girl saw the welcoming smile coming her way from Rukuriri.
"I do have to say you have really impressed in the B team. I saw that first years' exhibition match, with you commanding that Crusader Mk II taking out Kuromorimine's Panzer III flag tank," Rukuriri sighed and massaged her temple. "It reminded me of the old days. The good old days, how you fought reminded me of your cousin for sure."
A little awestruck by being complemented by one of the most capable stars in the first team, it was only a little natural that the younger girl's cheeks reddened. "I can only thank you for that compliment. But I have so much more to learn."
"That's true, you lack finesse but unlike most girls you have an extra year to hand to hone your skills,"
The both of them stood in the winding gravel path for a few moments seemingly like both and bonded but didn't quite know what to do next.
"Could I Let you into a little secret Miss Green Gunpowder? But this isn't one of those childish secrets but a secret you have to promise to keep a secret."
Not missing a heartbeat she answered, "Yes of course. I won't tell a soul,"
Rukuriri looked around the greenery that surrounded the gravel river, for any prying ears, covering her lips with her hand she began to speak. "I think English Breakfast is a complete waste of space. And yes the rumours are true about her with her and our departing commander. Which has undoubtedly helped her climb many a rank which she hasn't earned."
Even though she hadn't really met this English Breakfast, her reputation did proceed her. A western girl with an odd look to her, who hadn't really shown the respect that Sensha-do truly deserved. It was really a mystery why of all the girls in all of the world that she would ever be here at St Gloriana.
Even though she hadn't really met this English Breakfast, her reputation did proceed her. A western girl with an odd look to her, who hadn't really shown the respect that Sensha-do deserved. It was really a mystery why of all the girls in all of the world that she would ever be here at St Gloriana in the first place.
"It's such an open secret, I don't quite understand why they hide it,"
"You mean the relationship or the gold digging?"
"Both,"
"Well I have a plan for this, however I need a partner in crime, so to speak." Rukuriri removed her hand to relieve a devilish smile. "And let me just say if what I have concocted comes to fruition. The Tea Garden will bear sweet nectar for the both of us." Rukuriri reached out her hand. "What do you say, partner?"
The two hands collided and the deal was struck.
"Well then, let us begin," Rukuriri said, taking a length of thin wire out of her pocket and leading Green Gunpowder towards the steep steps that led down to the basement where, among other things, the paint for the Cromwell was stored.
12:29 Tea Room 20th May
Both girls quickly headed out of the office, waiting for the door to be closed, Rukuriri spoke. "I have changed my mind now. You, Sarah, will not be vice of the B team. You will now just be a commander of a tank, for training only. You will never, ever participate in any matches ever again. So say goodbye to the A team and your dreams. You will not be allowed to speak to your old crew. Which won't be too hard as they all hate your guts now. And if you dare speak to Rosehip or anyone from the Chindits," Rukuriri said as she clenched her fist and her face slowly became more of a red hue.
"I will personally make sure they will suffer the consequences of my wath," she said, her lisp becoming more pronounced. "You were just a single heartbeat in a lifetime. You will never be mentioned in the histowy books. You will be forgotten. There never was an English Bweakfast here at St. Gloriana. Now get out of my sight!"
Sarah placed her hand on the back of the chair and slowly stood up. "Go fuck yourself Rukuriri," she said emphatically as she slowly turned, holding her knee, as she dragged her bad leg to the office door.
Rukuriri watched the oak door close itself. Now she was free to do something she had always wanted to do. She opened one of the draws which contained a 1920's looking golden framed phone. She placed her fingers in the holes for the phone, pulling down the circular dialler, finally making a phone number. The phone line became live.
"Ah Miss Katyusha. I'm in no need of your help any more."
The recipient of the phone answered back.
Rukuriri just laughed as if the best joke was told to her from the other end of the phone. The recipient's voice increased with volume and the tone of voice became even more vicious.
"I think you are a waste of space, you small little child. If you want to prove a point then fight us, and without me helping you like the last two times you fought St. Gloriana, I will personally make sure this match will be a bloodbath for you and your precious Pravda."