Chapter V: The Fast and The Unknown
Federation Training Carrier
The Shinano
"WOHOHOHOHOHOHO!"
Rosehip shouts in ecstasy as her Cruiser Mk. VI Crusader III tank darting through the straight circuit in very high speed. Given that Rosehip herself is riding a Crusader III in St. Gloriana as a speedster, she couldn't resist the urge to shout, since this tank is way even faster than her own Crusader tank. But her joy cut short when the tank slipped its way to the corner and rolling to the ground after crashing the barrier.
"Rosehip-san? Are you alright?" asked Miho by radio.
"Yes, I'm alright, desu wa!" said Rosehip in excitement, "I'm MORE than alright!"
"Hang on there, the recovery vehicle will be on their way,"
"Okay! But can I try it more? I'm a speedster, and I will harness this speed,"
"I think it's enough for today, this is the third time and all crashed up,"
"Oh, geeze."
Miho watched the show from the observation tower in the ship's mast. Erika Itsumi, Shizuka Tsuruki, Erwin, Koume Akaboshi, and Ami Chouno are there with her.
"She sure is feisty, but that tank is also fast, perhaps faster than any Crusader I ever seen," said Erika.
"Can't help it, Rolls-Royce Meteor has way more power than original Liberty engine," said Ami Chouno.
"What? You put Rolls-Royce Meteor in a Crusader? Isn't that against the rules?" said Erika.
"Blame the British, they propose to the World Federation to allow all type of Crusader to be installed by Rolls-Royce Meteor engine,"
"I know that two Crusaders were used as a test bed for Meteor engine, but I think those are Mark I or Mark II at the most. As I recall, no Mark III have ever been equipped with Meteor. A more powerful Liberty engine, yes, but not Meteor," said Miho.
"Again, blame it to the British, there's a rule in World Federation that: 'Any modification, especially regarding to safety, is allowed as long as it's not unfairly alter the performance of the respected tank.' So they argued that since Mk. III carry heavier gun and turret, the addition of Meteor engine won't make them more faster than if Mk II has Meteor engine. So it's not 'unfair'. Beside their usual practice of removing speed limiter for Liberty engine could bring a Crusader as fast as if it equipped with Meteor engine. And what crazy is, the World Federation board accept the arguments, and we just reap the benefit of it." said Ami Chouno.
"I never knew that kind of rule before," Erika said.
"Because Japan Sensha-do Federation never applied the rule. We are strict to the originality aspect of the tank, and of sensha-do itself. Therefore, there maybe few rules applied internationally that unacceptable by JSF." said Ami Chouno.
"Conservative, eh?" said Shizuka.
"I'd call it orthodoxy, or purist, but that also what made our sensha-do is still one of the purest form, and there are a lot of foreign teams eager to train in Japan for that reason. Not all 'progress' is well-liked, you know," said Ami Chouno.
"But that made our sensha-do no better than basic," said Shizuka.
"Basic is important, but a good sensha-do commander could develop that basic to adapt various situation, no matter how advanced they are," said Ami Chouno.
"That is why Miho is the commander," said Erika, "and that is why you picked all these types of tanks, because they're versatile enough,"
"In a way, yes, but you will have to learn the differences soon enough," said Ami Chouno, "and speaking of tanks, Tsuruki-san, your request has been granted, and the tank will be ready tomorrow,"
"Thank you very much," said Shizuka.
"What request?" asked Erwin.
"Oh, Shizuka-san requested that the commander hatch of her Crusader be moved from loader side to gunner side," said Miho.
"Yes, since Crusader dictated that commander must act as loader as well, but I'm a gunner myself," said Shizuka.
"The changes won't affect the performance, sure there will be some complications, but I believe you can handle it," said Ami Chouno, "by the way, how's the other adapting to their new tank?"
"I think they're going to go just fine," said Miho.
Miho turns her view on the other side to show the Shermans and Tigers are doing maneuver training, while SU-100 doing target practice.
"Saori-san, Hana-san, how's the Sherman?" asked Miho from radio.
"Everything's good, Miporin, it's very spacious here and more comfortable than our old Panzer IV," said Saori.
"The gun is little bit tricky, but I can manage it," said Hana.
"It's kinda weird not to have Miporin commanding in here," said Saori.
"Nishizumi-dono is currently overseeing the entire force, Takebe-dono," said Yukari.
"My only concern is that this tank is rather high," said Mako.
"It's only less than 10 cm higher from our Panzer IV," said Yukari.
"Higher nonetheless," said Mako.
Miho than changed to Ogin in a Tiger.
"Ogin-san, Shark Team, how is it going on there?" asked Miho.
"We're perfectly okay, Commander. Need little more adjustment, but we're getting hang of it," said Ogin.
"Thank's God, you're the one I'm worried about,"
"Well, it's miles difference from our Mark IV Male Landship, but it's faster, stronger, and more manageable. Beside, we have been practicing in the Leopon's Porsche Tiger, and this is pretty much the same minus its engine in-reliability; I still don't know how Leopon Team could manage to make that cat running all this time,"
"Well, I guess that's why they're in an Automobile Club," said Miho.
All tanks then entering gun range for gunnery training, shooting targets, both stationary or moving. Anglerfish Team, Emi Nakasuga, Alisa and Naomi become the best in this training by shooting down all their targets skillfully.
"Still not getting used to the new tanks, I guess," said Erika.
"We must give them more time to get used to their tank, some perhaps find their tanks quite different from the tanks they ussually used." said Miho.
"I'm afraid they have to do that fast," said Ami Chouno.
The moment Ami Chouno said that, a H-6K escorted by two J-15s fighter of The People's Liberation Army Air Force fly pass them as if to say hello. They wave their wing as a friendly gesture, which replied by Shinano blowing its horn.
"Ladies, welcome to The People's Republic of China," said Ami Chouno.
Housing Block
Sensha Town, The Shinano
Everyone in the house, either Anglerfish Team or Bellwall's Tiger Team, sat together in a large short table as Saori with Hana, Hitomi and Kita handed out food enough for them all. Saori's dishes are good and delicious as usual, and everybody seems enjoy it.
"I can't believe we already in China," said Saori.
"Just the outskirt, we haven't reached the beach yet," said Miho.
"Is this Carrier going to go to the port?" asked Emi Nakasuga.
"I don't think so, considering the immense size of this ship," said Hitomi.
"I never thought we're gonna do a sensha-do battle in China," said Miho, "and above all else, representing Japan,"
"How does China do their sensha-do actually? Does anybody knows?" asked Nagisa Shiratori.
"Actually, they don't called it 'sensha-do'. I heard they called it 'Tankequan', and for I reckon, their Federation only been built about 50 years ago," said Yukari.
"So they're 'younger' than our sensha-do?" asked Nagisa.
"I won't say that either, since the Chariotry has been an integral part in Ancient China military history. Even Chariotry, which become the ancestor of sensha-do is believed to be brought to Japan by Chinese people. Hence historically, their style is way much older," said Yukari.
"So, an ancient-style met with orthodox-style. Now that makes me wonder," said Emi.
Miho silent for a momen and eating her sabu-sabu.
"Instructor Chouno said that we will all go to the battleground the day after tomorrow, we must prepare everything by then, including familiarize with maneuver and all," said Miho.
"Where will the battle be, by the way?" asked Emi.
"A place in the north of China, near Northeast China. I believe the name of the place is Nomonhan," replied Miho.
Yukari was shocked when hearing about this.
"Nishizumi-dono, are you sure? You know what kind of place is that, are you?" asked Yukari.
Miho nods slowly.
"Nomonhan... What does Chinese want in this match? Are they want to resurrect the ghosts of history?" asked Mako in dreaded voice.
"What is Nomonhan? Why you all seems so blue about it?" asked Hitomi.
Yukari sighed.
"In 1939, Imperial Japanese Army, during their occupation of China, clashed with Soviet forces in Nomonhan, at that time bordering Japan occupied Manchukuo and Mongolia, then a Soviet ally. The clashes went for months with the result of Japan as losing side," said Yukari.
"No doubt that China will use this terrain and its history for their advantage," said Mako.
"Well, let it be, then. I fear no ghost," said Emi.
"It actually not the ghost or history that I fear of," said Miho, "but China has advantages of fighting on their own turf, while we are completely blind about the field. We could probably getting photographs, maps, or even satellite images on those, but the real situation in the field always very different. Who knows what have been waiting for us there."
"I wish I have time to do spying," said Yukari.
"Unless you can speak Chinese fluently, I don't think that'll work here," said Saori.
"Don't worry, we always fear the unknown, but we must not succumb to our own fear, and let our mind plays trick beyond what actually lies there," said Emi.
"Yes, that's right!" said Hana.
"We will face anything they throw at us together!" said Hitomi.
Miho smiled.
"I'm glad I have you guys," said Miho.
"Maybe I could find previous matches of China, it could help us to understand them better," said Saori.
"We'll review them together, Takebe-dono!" said Yukari.
"Alright then, but remember, we will have school tomorrow," said Miho.
"Oh God, why we still have to go to school in the morning?" Mako complained.
For the following day, Miho focused their training on getting know each other and team mates. With the situation of their opponent and terrains are unclear, it's imperative for everyone to get along their comrades, to have bigger chance of surviving the unknown. And as expected, the training, the day before departure, is getting better. This doesn't seems lifted cloud on Miho's mind about the prospect of the game, though she knows that this is just an exhibition match. The ability of the girls to master their new tanks and maneuver, however, bring her some ease. Unfortunately, in this day, Instructor Chouno is nowhere to be seen, and Miho kind of wonder where she is, so close to the match.
Day of Departure
The Shinano drop anchor quite far away from the land. Due to the immense size of Shinano, she has to drop anchor this far, since getting to shallow waters would be catastrophic. All the tanks are being loaded into the belly of each C-5M Super Galaxy for an airlifting to the battle ground. Each plane could carry about 3-4 Tigers, and more on The Sherman, SU-100 and Crusader. Seems the load masters is seasoned enough to carry these payloads, since they could load all, including fuel and ammunitions in all C-5M.
The girls themselves are being carried by a Boeing B-737-800 with Federation insignia. They will be flying after all C-5Ms took off. They watched as one by one their tanks were being flown inside the belly of the flying beasts. Few times after the last C-5M took off, the B-737 carrying the girls with some officials, minus Instructor Chouno, taxiing in the runway. It's still dawn when the plane set its wheel in the runway, and the sun is just about rising as a giant orange ball in the horizon.
Everyone watched the sun in anticipation, anxious on what lies in their destination. Because beyond that, where the sun rises, is the unknown, draping the dread on many.
"Hey!" said Emi to Miho who sat beside her, "we're going to be alright,"
Miho only smiled as the plane dashed for taking off in this beautiful morning.
"Yes, I know we'll be alright," said Miho.
