Chapter X: Tigers Hunting Tigers
Erika now realizing her position is very vulnerable. There's only 4 Tigers remaining. What before an impregnable fortress now has crumbled. Beside herself, there's Shark Team, Orange Pekoe-Nilgiri and Assam-Rukuriri. Normally, this is still a powerful forces, but this past hour taught her that there's nothing out here is normal!
The three remaining Tigers form up to protect Erika's tank.
"You know, Girls..." said Erika, "if we should, and we will, engaged in another combat, let's not run or cower, and fight them bravely."
"But does that means putting you up to jeopardy as well?" said Orange Pekoe.
"And I can't get anything for my data. The sensha-do here is beyond my regular database," said Assam.
"You are too important for this match," said Orange Pekoe.
"Forget it! If I have to die, I would have died standing, not cowering or running away from something," said Erika.
"I agree," said Ogin.
Everyone silent for a while.
"Cowering doesn't guaranteed that you'll be save. Most of our friend got taken out in an instance, most are by the way they least expected. So we might as well fight back and show them what we made of," said Ogin.
"Alright, but let's all regroup first. At least that way we could fight them with more strength," said Orange Pekoe.
"Fine by me," said Assam, "what do you say, Taichou?"
"Let's all regroup but maintain your vigilance. Should any enemy pop around, just fight them," said Erika.
"Understood!"
As if devil himself has spoken, suddenly an IS-2 with green band and a T-34/85 with crimson band showed up.
"Speak of the devil..." said Erika.
The IS-2 and T-34/85 then rushed towards the Tigers. They're two of the most powerful of The Five Tigers General: Yu'er and Fei'er. And they won't go without a fight.
"Pekoe-sama, let's show them the power of The Noble Sister of St. Gloriana!" said Assam.
"Alright!" said Orange Pekoe.
"I'm the king of the world!" said Ogin while chewing her peppermint pipe.
"Panzer marsch!" said Erika.
The four Tigers rushed to the two Russian tanks for an exhilarating battle. On the other place, two Shermans commanded by Mika and Eclair, which sent by Miho to assist Erika's group, suddenly met with the rest of the Chinese tanks. It's a group consist of an IS-2, two T-34/85 and an M4A4, led by another M4A4 with yellow band, tank of Cao'er. They're currently rushing on the same direction with Mika and Eclair, only their intention is to support Yu'er and Fei'er and decimate Japan's flag tank group. Had this group arrived there, Erika's group won't stand a chance.
"Eclair-san, which do you think is the best? Your St. Cyr or my Motti?" asked Mika.
"Of course my St. Cyr, no doubt about it," said Eclair.
"Then why don't we proof it?" asked Mika.
"S'il vous plait," said Eclair.
Without further delay, Mika and Eclair decided to engage that support group, though the odds are against them 5:2. Mika played Säkkijärven polkka with her kantele as both team charging fearlessly on their opponents.
"Taichou, we're currently engaging enemy's support group that advancing on Erika's company. There's another Tiger General here as well," said Mika.
"Understood, I'll go to Erika's company instead," said Miho.
"May the wind of fortune blows in our favor," said Mika.
"I'll leave it to you," said Miho, "Koume-san, let's go to Erika's position,"
"Got it!" said Koume.
"I hope they could hold on till we come," said Miho worried.
In another place, smoke are rising from a wreck of a Tiger. Shark Team's Tiger has just been white-flagged by Yu'er's attack. Without time to mourn on the loss, Erika and St. Gloriana's duo continue to fight against two Tiger Generals. Can't helped that Erika's tank is the main target for them. Erika herself, totally aware about this fact, tried to act as a bait to open chance for the St. Gloriana's duo to shoot. However, their shot can still be evaded by the two Chinese Team officers.
"I can't get an aim on them. They're quite agile for the tanks their size," said Assam.
"But keep on trying. If they keep avoiding our shells, then they would have less chance to aim at our flag tank," said Orange Pekoe.
"Got at least chance to hit them as well," said Assam.
Some maneuvers later and either Japan or Chinese tank able to land a hit on each other. The coordination of St. Gloriana duo is very effective to keep Erika's tank away from harm. However, the agility of the two Chinese tanks also able to save them from each hit by their Japanese opponents.
The two Chinese tanks then split up and rush their speeds wider as if they're trying to envelope the Japanese tanks. Assam and Orange Pekoe tries to anticipate this movement, as this could let their opponents to enter their line of sight quickly. Their loaders has just entering the 88mm shells ready to fire.
Suddenly, both Chinese tanks discharged smoke screen, which caught Assam and Orange Pekoe surprised. The fast movement of the Chinese tanks then obscured by the growing smoke screen, enveloped area surround the Japanese tanks.
"Pekoe! Hug Erika's tank, quickly!" said Assam.
Both Orange Pekoe and Assam quickly clamp their tanks onto Erika's. A very good timing, since two shells are darting from behind the smoke screen and immediately hit Orange Pekoe and Assam's tanks. Both are white-flagged, but Erika's tank saved. However, this create dilemmas as Erika's tank now unable to move, being clamped by two immobilized Tigers. The explosion of 122mm shell of IS-2 which hit Assam's tank also very powerful that it break Erika's tank track as well.
"What should we do?" asked Erika's driver.
"Gunner, quick, prepare to fire! Hit any tank coming out of the smoke screen!" said Erika.
Her gunner then aiming ahead, slowly seeing a tank silhouette coming out of the smoke screen. Without further delay, she then fires at the silhouette. A huge explosion occurs and seems like a sound of white flag popping out is heard. The smoke thining to reveal that the IS-2 is already wrecked by Erika's shot. The other tanks, the T-34/85, going around to see opening on her target amidst the wrecked tanks. Erika tried to follow her with her cannon, but the traverse blocked by the tank wrecks. It's like a sitting duck situation, as easy as shooting fish in the barrel. The T-34/85 then casually aims her cannon on Erika's tank. Erika closed her eyes to accept her impending doom.
"BLAAAM!"
Suddenly, a smoke coming out from the T-34/85 who rolled wobbly before then stopped and white-flagged. Erika's still oblivious with what happened, open the hatch and come out, to see Miho's tank already there with smoke coming out of her cannon. Miho smiled to Erika.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Miho.
Koume tanks came not long after it.
"Dai Taichou..." said Erika.
Miho stepped down her tank and run to Erika's tank.
"Erika-san, are you alright?" asked Miho.
"I'm alright, but how do you got here?" asked Erika.
"Mika and Eclair intercepted another group of Chinese tanks coming this way. They managed to stopped them all, however..."
"Are they alright?"
"Eclair got immobilized by their Tiger General after manage to destroy three tanks by herself. Mika going head-to-head against their leader and both got white-flagged in the process."
"Geese, how many of our girls is still moving?"
"You, me, Koume, and I believe some of Shizuka's company."
"Me? No, I barely can't move due to my tank being clamped by Assam and Orange Pekoe's, and also the damage on my tracks. I need to fix them first before I'm able to roll again."
"At least you're not white-flagged yet."
"Speaking of Shizuka's, where are they?"
"They engage their flag tank."
"What? Are you not going to help out?"
"I have to make sure that you're okay."
"Now you see that I'm okay, so please, help them to defeat the enemy's flag tank."
"But what about you? Will you be okay here, sitting down like this?"
"I'll be fine, just go,"
"Don't worry, I'll guard her," said Koume.
"No, it's alright, I'm ok..."
"Please, Erika-san. Miho-san would be at ease knowing I'll be here to guard you," said Koume.
Erika then reluctantly nods. Miho running back and jumped into her tank.
"Wish us luck!" said Miho.
"Good luck, Dai Taichou, and don't worry, I'll guard Erika-san here," said Koume.
Miho waves her arms and going with her tank. All the crews of Orange Pekoe and Assam's are getting out of their tank and helping to repair Erika's track and tried to release her tank from being clamped, while Koume and Erika sit on their tank's turret, vigilance of any incoming enemy.
In another place, a perfectly placed shot hit Duck Team's tank which still airborne after jumping on a mound in the ground, sending it white-flagged before touching the ground. Shizuka's cursed a bit. She's pursuing Liang'er's Gongchen Tank which has Yun'er's M5A1 as her escort, but despite the odd, both tanks could get Pepperoni's and The Kashiwabas' tank, and now Duck Team. The fighting skill of this two persons is very incredible.
Liang'er popped out of her hatch, which was followed by Shizuka.
"I give you one chance. You know what we're capable of, do you? Leave now and I'll spare you and your friend," said Liang'er.
"When opportunities occur through events but you are unable to respond, you are not smart . When opportunities become active through a trend and yet you cannot make plans, you are not wise . When opportunities emerge through conditions but you cannot act on them, you are not bold . Those skilled in generalship always achieve their victories by taking advantage of opportunities."
Shizuka's smiled and replied:
"Unable to complete this heavy task for our country
Arrows and bullets all spent, so sad we fall.
But unless I smite the enemy,
My body cannot rot in the field.
Yea, I shall be born again seven times
And grasp the sword in my hand.
When ugly weeds cover this island,
My sole thought shall be the Imperial Land."
Liang'er hauled her breathe heavily.
"So be it, then," said Liang'er.
Liang'er and Yun'er then charge their tanks to their opponents. Shizuka and Rosehip take their beads before charging back. Four tanks now in high speed rushing to each other, and Rosehip, due to her "speed high", charge her tank faster than Shizuka's and goes few feet ahead of her. Shizuka sense something wrong when she, in the blink of an eye, see the cannon on both opposite tanks pointed to one direction.
"Rosehip, come back!" said Shizuka.
Too late, both tank has fired their shells, almost in the exact moment, and the initial speed of the tank, the speed of the shells themselves, and the speed and mass of Rosehip's tank created a perfect combination for disasters. The two shells hit Rosehip's front glacis, and, by the combination of forces, send Rosehip's tank flying backward. Shizuka stunned for a moment, this made her lost her zeroing on enemy tanks, and waste a round. Shizuka quickly make an evasive maneuver to avoid collision with the two tanks, and then found herself being surrounded by two enemy tanks.
"Your chance is up, Crusaders!" said Liang'er, "now you can't expect no quarter!"
"I never expect a mercy from the beginning," said Shizuka.
Shizuka look at Rin and Haruka inside the tank.
"What should we do now, Hime?" asked Rin.
"Straight to their flag tank, of course," said Shizuka.
"But the other one?" asked Haruka.
"We can only have one shot," said Shizuka, "then let that be the flag tank,"
"All for one shot," said Haruka while loading the shell.
"Let's do this," said Rin.
But before Shizuka give further command, Miho arrived at the scene just in time. She positioned her tank side by side of Shizuka's.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Shizuka-san," said Miho.
"You are a pleasant sight for a sore eyes, Dai Taichou," said Shizuka.
"What can I do?" asked Miho.
"I need to get that Gongchen, could you take care the M5A1?" asked Shizuka.
"Consider it done, do your best," said Miho.
"I won't let you down!" said Shizuka, "Go, Rin!"
Shizuka's Crusader then dashed straight to Gongchen Tank.
"Yukari-san, after this shot, please shorten the reload time," said Miho.
"Understood, Nishizumi-dono!" said Yukari.
"Hana-san, shoot at that M5A1, make her know that we are here," said Miho.
"Okay," said Hana.
Miho's Sherman firing her first shell very close to the M5A1, made her stop trying to pursuit the Crusaders. The M5A1 then rushing to the Sherman, which, Miho orders Mako to greet her but at more slower speed. The M5A1 do a wide evading maneuver to anticipate Miho's firing, and Hana tries to follow her. But Miho seems want to wait until their distance is close enough.
"Got her?" asked Miho.
"Yep," said Hana.
"Fire!"
Hana fire the cannon, and the shell flying in a trajectory and landed very near to the M5A1.
"Miporin, they're getting clo..." said Saori.
"Loading complete!" said Yukari.
"Fire!" said Miho.
Hana once again firing in a shorter interval. Yun'er, unprepared for this sudden fire, unable to move out of Hana's line of fire and blows by the shell, white-flagged. Her tank wobbly moved by momentum, getting slower before finally stopped, bumped slightly to Miho's tank.
While the rumbles continues, elsewhere, Erika's crews, helped by Assam's and Orange Pekoe's trying their best to fix the track on Erika's tank, while Erika herself and Koume are on the lookout. Without their knowing, a Chinese tank slipped in a patch of greenery that's rare but exist in the river plain. It's the M-18 Hellcat whose tracks has been damaged by Rosehip. Shizuka unknowingly let them live, thinking Rosehip has white-flagged them, and after fixing their tracks, they creeping into this area and happened to found Japanese flag tank bogged down in this plain, what a very lucky coincident.
"What should we do? Our radio is broken, so we can't tell Gongzhu about this," said Hellcat's radio operator.
"I say we took that flag tank out," said Hellcat's gunner.
"But they has escort, we won't be able to survive after making this shot," said Hellcat's driver.
"Your call, Commander?" asked Hellcat's loader.
"Let's sacrifice the plum tree to save the peach tree," said Hellcat's commander, "with us being defeated, it's just us. But if we got their flag tank, it would be like cutting the head of a snake."
"I think I agree with that," said Hellcat's loader.
"Can you make this shot?" asked Hellcat's commander.
"I'll give my heart and soul for this one shot," said Hellcat's gunner.
"Okay, let's go. Let's just hope that Gongzhu could hold a little bit," said Hellcat's commander.
The gunner then trying to line up her shot. Meanwhile, Shizuka's Crusader and Liang'er's Gongchen are literally bumping to each other. Shizuka tried to get a clear distance to shoot, but Liang'er always get her tank close to avoid that. It troubles Shizuka because she felt like she have to take care her opponent quickly otherwise something bad will happens.
"I can't shake her off!" said Rin.
Shizuka seems focused. She's currently thinking about something but she also knows that her chance is only once. Calmly, she rest the butt of the cannon to her shoulder, then rub Rin's shoulder lightly with her feet.
"Pick up speed?" said Rin.
Haruka got a little bit confused since Shizuka didn't move the cannon, seems like she only tried to make the cannon steadier. The problem is, Haruka doesn't see the cannon pointing anywhere. Meanwhile, Rin picked up speed and see the Gongchen tries to get close again.
"Steady, Rin, and... Now!" said Shizuka.
Suddenly Shizuka push Rin's shoulder hard, that's the cue for Rin to brake. Rin hit the break and the Crusader slowed abruptly. Liang'er didn't anticipate this sudden movement and her tank now overshoot the Crusader, put her directly on Shizuka's line of fire.
Shizuka pull the trigger, and at the same time, the Hellcat's gunner also pull the trigger. Both shells in the different place flying to meet their respective target. And...
"BLAAAMM!"
Everybody looks in awe, and judges signaled to stop the match. Both flag tank now showing white flag. But, who won?
