Chapter VII: The Bagua Welcoming Party
Miho Nishizumi looks anxiously on the unfamiliar terrain below her positions. All the landscape, trees, rocks, water, even the gust of the wind is somewhat different from what she use to know, or experience. Different on tastes, smells, sights, feels, and somehow she felt that her senses numb a little bit. For a moment, she doesn't know whether she still in this world she knows, or has she enter another uncharted dimension somewhere far. There's one thing that put her sanity in check, the roaring sound of tanks not far behind her, and...
"Nishizumi-dono," Yukari call her gently.
Miho turn her head and look on Yukari Akiyama.
"Have you spotted them?" asks Yukari
"Nope, and having this unfamiliar terrain is somewhat disadvantageous for us," reply Miho.
"They would have to march out soon enough, there's not much place to hide here, and they can't hide forever,"
Miho nods in silence, and as if Yukari has predicted it, some dusty dots spotted in the distance. Miho raised her binocular and observe, to find that those dots are a Chi-Ha Shinhoto followed by 4 BT-5s.
"Speak of the devil," Yukari remarks, "but where is the rest of their forces?"
"Waiting for us somewhere," says Miho, "though we only need to disable that Shinhoto and the match is done,"
"Will that be an easy task, Nishizumi-dono?"
"Easy to said, yes, and very very complicated to be carried out," says Miho, "come on, Yukari-san, we must go back to the tank,"
Yukari saluted and both of the girls run back to the tank that wait for them not far from there.
"How's that?" asked Erika.
"We found the Chi-Ha, escorted by 4 BT-5s few clicks forward." said Miho.
"A Chi-Ha and 4 BT-5s? Doesn't seems so right to me," said Erika, "that could mean all their strongest tanks are there somewhere,"
"We only need to take that Chi-Ha down, though," said Yukari.
"That's not the case, they clearly trying to lure us into some kind of trap," said Erika, "you sure that Chi-Ha and BT-5s is the only tanks you saw?"
"I tried to find the other's whereabout, but can't find any,"
"Then I suggest we chase the flag tank and immobilize it right away," said Erwin.
"Wait a minute, can't be that easy?" said Erika.
"What if it's really THAT easy?" said Erwin.
"Damn it! This unknown is driving me mad!" grunted Erika.
"In a way, I agree with Erika-san, that this must be a trap. However, I also agree with Erwin-san that this is the best opportunity for us to cut the snake in the head," said Miho.
"So what do you suggest?" asked Erika.
"Would Heavy Tank Company able to guard the flag tank?" asked Miho.
"We're as ready as ever. You want to hunt her?" said Erika.
"Yes, with Medium Tank Company and Light Tank Company. Tank Destroyer Company shall be in position of enfilade to cover all companies. This is not a fixed position, so please use your own good judgment to move position when necessary, but please let all of us know. So that we can coordinate our next maneuvers."
"Understood. Our Tigers could hold any kind of attack when necessary, but please take down their flag tank as soon as possible." said Erika, "the thought of having T-34/85s and IS-2s still in large out there is quit disconcerting."
"Will do. Shizuka-san, please fan out and try to locate any threat as soon possible. Don't engage any stronger foes you might encounter,"
"Okay, we'll go first! Takeda Company, forward!"
The Crusaders then darting forwards to five different directions.
"Medium Tank Company, Bokomon Company, be ready to form any 2-tank or 3-tank team as necessary. Forward now!"
The Shermans then rolling forward, leaving the Tigers and the SU-100s behind.
"Alright, Rommel Company, move now!" said Erwin.
"Westfalen Company, follow flag tank closely, we'll be moving around to avoid being targeted as sitting duck!" said Erika.
The SU-100s and Tigers then part way. SU-100 rolled to the hill or any vantage position they might find there, while Tigers trying to find any large opening that will enable them to avoid any ambush.
"Rommel Company in position!" said Erwin.
"Roger, could you see us all from up there?" asked Erika.
"Quite clear, I guess Ms. Tsuruki's in position to chase the flag tank," said Erwin.
"Yes, I see them, all five of them," said Shizuka.
"Shizuka-san, is there any sign of enemy's presence?" asked Miho.
"Not that I can see of," said Shizuka, "I will proceed to..."
BLAAAM!
Loud crying voice filled the radio transmition.
"What's the matter? What's wrong?" asked Miho.
"Another BT-5, coming out of nowhere, carrying purple stripes. She tried to shoot us, but just grazing our side armor!" said Shizuka.
"We have 5 BT-5s now, and one Chi-Ha," said Saori.
"Out of nowhere? That doesn't sound good, does it?" said Yukari.
"It's one of Liang'er's Tiger General, I don't like this at all," said Miho, "Shizuka-san, where does the purple stripes BT-5 right now?"
"She's joining the rank of the flag tank. I don't like it at all, I'll call Takeda Company to form a close rank. They could pick us up one by one if we stay in loose formation like this."
"Granted. I believe there will be more of them. Could you try to keep up with them, but not as fast that we shall join?"
"Yes, I will do that. Right now, the flag tank is..."
Shizuka startled with what she saw. She then open the hatch to see it directly.
"Eh?"
"What 'eh'?"
"There's only 5 tanks now, it should've been six. The flag tank is gone!"
Miho stunned to hear that report.
"How come a Chi-Ha got out of sight that fast?" asked Yukari.
"Chi-Ha couldn't run that fast, eh? Maybe she's just hiding," said Saori.
"Unless..." said Miho.
"Unless what, Miporin?"
"No, that cannot be..."
Suddenly a gust of chilling fear strike Miho. She doesn't like the way this situation goes at all.
"Shizuka-san, please wait for us! Stop the pursuit!" ordered Miho.
"What? Stop the pursuit, but why?" asked Shizuka.
KYAA!
Suddenly, explosions coming like a rain drop in any direction of Takeda Company.
"We're getting bombarded! Evasive maneuver! Don't get splitted up!"
The Crusaders then evading like crazy, trying so hard not to loose their cohesion. The bombardment happened so fast and so massive that no one in the company knows what attacks them. Shizuka, in order to maintain her situational awareness, stood up in her hatch, though this kind of posture is dangerous due to debris flying around like projectiles.
"Shizuka-san, hang on! We'll be there!" said Miho.
"Dai Taichou1! We don't know what or from where do they attack us! We'll try to evade as hard as we can, but if you all come here, I fear they're laying another trap on you!" said Shizuka.
"Alright, Erwin-san, could you relieve our Crusaders?" asked Miho.
"Roger, we've got them in our sight, we will try to ease..."
BOOOMM!
"KYAAAA!"
A shot followed by some other landed not far from the hill where the SU-100 encroached.
"Negative! Can't support! They're shooting at us!" Erwin reported.
"What is this? From where do they attack us? This kind of landscape offers little options to hide, or does it, Nishizumi-dono?" asked Yukari.
"Erwin-san, are you alright?" asked Miho.
"We're okay for now, but this spot is no longer safe, we will go to another spot while trying to shake them off," said Erwin.
"Two of our companies are being attacked by enemies, and we still haven't find the whereabout of their flag tanks. I suggest we split our forces now, some help Takeda Company, and some help Rommel Company. That way we can ensure everyone could be safe," said Alisa.
"Okay, Alisa, you take Anteater Team, Eclair-san, Nishi-san, and Tamada-san to help our Takeda Company!" said Miho.
"Yes, Ma'am! Rescue Platoon, follow me!" said Alisa.
Five of the Shermans, led by Alisa detached from the rest of the group and going separate way.
"Dai Taichou, do you want us to help?" asked Erika.
"We'll assess the situation, Erika-san, but for now your priority is to secure the flag tank," said Miho.
"Ja..."
Erika doesn't continue her reply.
"Erika-san? What's wrong?" asked Miho.
"Miho-san, you said that you lost your flag tank, didn't you? I think I've found it." said Erika.
"What? Where?" asked Miho.
"She's here, in the top of the hill, overlooking at us..."
Miho froze in horror.
"Impossible! How can that Chi-Ha got there so fast?" asked Saori.
"Because that's not a Chi-Ha..." said Miho.
"Eh?"
"Erika-san, don't linger, move from that place, quick!" said Miho.
"Jawohl!" said Erika.
Erika then move her company while the Chi-Ha still up in the hill and overlooking at them. Liang'er stood on the turret of the Chi-Ha with her swan-feather fan waved casually.
"They're right where we want to," said Liang'er with her cunning smile.
"Gongzhu2, everyone is ready in their position." her subordinate reported.
"Well, all the fish are in the net, let's start pulling the net,"
"Shi!3"
Liang'er then raise her fan high, and wave it as if she tries to move the wind.
"Oh gosh!" said Mika.
"What's the matter, Mika-san?" asked Miho.
"The wind, it's changing..." Mika's voice is trembling.
A gust of chill creeping down Miho's spine. Something is very not right here. She put everyone to double the alert. No enemy are spotted, but she felt that they're closer than what they expected. Miho then could see the SU-100s in front of them, though still very far ahead. She turns her head and see the rest of Arisa's Rescue Platoon and still in her sight range but different areas are the Crusaders, finally free from their bombardment. She can see them all!
"Everyone halt!" Miho ordered.
Despite the confusion, all the tanks (except Erika's company) stop moving. Miho climbed up her turret and swept her view to all corners. She could see everyone, but not Erika's company.
"Erika-san, where are you right now? Could you see any of us?" asked Miho.
"I'm in... Now where is this... Why can't I find out where I am," said Erika.
"Do you see any of us? Other than your own company?"
"I don't think so, why?"
"Go back! You're moving into their traps!"
Erika startled then ordered her company to move back. Emi Nakasuga and Seshka, who take up the rear guard, now became the spearhead and the two marched a little bit further from the rest of the pack to scout for any danger. The rest then arrange themselves so that Erika's tank is in the middle of the chain. Meanwhile, Miho still standing and watch the situation. No tanks dare to move. She would feel more relieve if she knows at least where Erika's company is or perhaps where the enemies are.
"Miho-san, do you remember when you still in Kuromorimine and we're having this exhibition match?" asked Mika.
"Yes, Mika-san,"
"I wonder if it's the same situation as in back then?"
"Unfortunately, I fear this is the same situation as in back then. The differences, at least we know where you are back then,"
"The wind is getting disturbed, but yet chillingly intoxicating. It could make you lower your guard, or masked the presence of the enemy."
"I fear the enemy might be closer than we thought, but I can sense any."
"They are, just waiting to strike."
Emi and Seshka's tanks moving forward through a large opening, not the one they were. This opening lies like a gigantic plate connected by natural ramps and followed by small road by the cliff. Emi senses something strange in this landscape, and maintaining visual contact with the rest of the team.
"This is odd, Emi-senpai. It looks like we left not long ago but the route back is quite different," said Seshka.
"I know, keep watching for the surrounding, and the rest of the convoy," said Emi.
They looked up and see Liang'er's Chi-Ha on top of the hill with Liang'er standing on the turret and raise her fan high.
"I wish we could just shoot her," said Seshka.
"Don't waste your ammo, she's too far to reach, and shooting upward doesn't help either," said Emi, "we'll get her once we have a clear shot. For now, we must..."
BLAAM!
"KYAAA!"
The ground beneath them exploded and send Emi and Seshka's tank rolling down the cliff. Quite a long drop, but thankfully, their tank is alright. Another explosion occured in the other ramp and trapped the rest of the pack in the opening.
"Westfalen-3, Westfalen-6, are you alright?" asked Erika.
"We've fallen of the cliff, it's their trap!" replied Emi, "our tracks have thrown due to the fall, and we will need time to put them back on."
"Hang on, we'll come to you..."
BOOM!
A shot fall next to the convoy in the opening. Not long after, shots of high-caliber shells feels like raining down upon them from many directions at once. It's not an opening, it's a kill zone! A defilade where they will be picked up like a sitting duck. This development surprised everyone. And not long after, cannon fire raining down on all positions of the Japan tanks!
Liang'er giggles while watching her army firing down on all Japan tanks.
"Trap the enemy upstair and get rid of the ladder. I never thought that you, Japanese, would come to our trap so easily. Now you must prepared to meet your fate, for now you've been in the mercy of my Bagua Formation!" said Liang'er.
Meanwhile, everyone in Japan team starts yelling in panick as shell after shell come raining down on them. China has arranged their trap in perfect yet very subtle manner. All could see where their friends are, but they can't reach them. Worse than that, they don't even see from where the shells are coming. Is this the end? Would Japan got obliterated in Miho's first battle as National Team commander?
1 Dai Taichou = Overall Commander
2 Gongzhu = Chinese word literally meant 'Princess'
3 Shi = Yes
(Hi! Thank you for the reviews, and I promise you all to keep pushing harder and will be better in the continuation of the story. The language style of this, well, I'm trying to be as close to the anime/manga as possible. And I can assure you that despite the opposing factions, there won't be any hatred inciting, and the history is there for background only. Thank you again. -PepeDuck-)
