Chapter XII: The Fifty Shades of Sensha-do


World Sensha-do Federation

Asia-Pacific Headquarters


Shanghai

The Day After

Miho entering the World Sensha-do Federation building of Asia-Pacific Headquarter located in The Bund, Shanghai, near the bank of Huangpu River. The building is so grandiose and fancy, and also bigger than Japan Sensha-do Federation's building in Tokyo. For a moment, she stunned by the view of it, in front of large fountain with gilded statue of Neubaufahrzeug tank which looks very imposing.

"Breathtaking, isn't it?" asked Ami Chouno.

"Very much," said Miho.

"Come on, we'll miss the show," said Ami Chouno.

Miho nods and following Ami Chouno with Erika, Erwin and Shizuka. This large building houses many people who work here, but still maintaining the feeling of spaciousness. Many tank paraphernalia and pictures of great tank commanders decorating the lobby. A liaison officer greets them, handed flower corsage and access card to them before leading them to the Audience Hall. There, they finally shown where they sit. Instead of stadium-like seating, they sat on a large circular lavish dining table with mini Japan flag on the center of it. Tea are being served as soon as they sit down.

"Now we just need to wait for the show, luckily we arrived here before the time," said Ami Chouno.

"Instructor Chouno, can I ask you something?" said Miho.

"Sure, what is that?" asked Ami Chouno.

"The match yesterday, why does Chinese Team could field a Gongchen Tank? Doesn't the tank is basically a Chi-Ha tank, equipped by Kharkyv 500 Hp engine and..."

"Appear after 15th of August 1945 which is the limitation of tank allowed in Japan, isn't it?"

Miho nods.

"That because World Sensha-do Federation enacted a new rule, extending that any tank whose design made before 1st of January 1946 now eligible to play. There are a lot of stories about the birth of Gongchen Tank, but the less popular and more realistic one is the version in which Soviet Union supplied Chinese Communist Force with dozens of captured Chi-Has, which, assumed, has been up-engined with Kharkyv 500 Hp, the one used on T-34 tank. Of course we couldn't possibly know when does this up-engined took place, but the time span to 1st of January 1946 is a plausible time-frame, therefore China used that as argument to make Gongchen Tank eligible for international match, the same way our Crusaders were equipped by Rolls-Royce Meteor engine."

"Ah, and about that, I see that Cromwell Mark I and II has the same 6 pdr gun like our Crusader. But the reason we use Crusader instead of Cromwell is because nobody would've thought a Crusader could reach that speed, isn't it?"

"Yes, you're right,"

"Mutant tank..."

"Eh?"

"That's what Liang'er told me last night. In order to win international match, sometimes we have to use mutant tank,"

Ami Chouno nods and sips her tea.

"But you all must also understand that any mutant tank won't help much unless we have determination, skills, and adaptive to any development in the battlefield. That's the reason why I choose you all in the team."

Everyone nods.

"By the way, Instructor Chouno, is there any other differences in international rules that we also need to know?" asked Erwin.

"Well, the rules are basically the same, and I've told you all the differences now. Perhaps, I must also tell you that international match format is not limited to Annihilation and Flag Tank only," said Ami Chouno.

"There's other format?" asked Erika.

"Yes, wait a minute..."

Ami Chouno pulls out her smart tablet and put it on the table for everyone to see. And these are formats which officially recognized by World Sensha-do Federation:


Flag Tank Battle: This format dictated that a single tank of each team be assigned as "flag tank". If a team's flag-tank is white-flagged, then the game over and that team lost.

Annihilation Battle: This format dictated that the winning side is the team which eliminate the entire forces of their enemies, and be the one last standing.

Multi-Flag Tank Battle: Basically the same as Flag Tank Battle, the differences is, there are three tanks assigned as "flag tanks" and in order to win, a team must white-flag all of their opponents' flag tanks.

Semi-Annihilation Battle: Basically the same as Annihilation Battle, the differences is, the team lose the match if their members reach the ratio of 1:2 from their opponents, with exception when there are only three tanks left in the field.

Capture The Flag Battle: The opposing teams must start from different spots in the field and capture any designated areas in the field. After a team capture more areas than their opponent, a 1-hour countdown will begin. The countdown will reset each time a team capture more areas than their opponents, and whoever hold more areas than their opponent until the time's up, or able to eliminate all members of their opponents, wins the match. Due to minimum space required for this type of battle, not all nation allowed to host Capture The Flag Battle.

King of The Hill Battle: Each team must capture a single capturing point in the middle of the field. The 2-hour countdown will begin whenever a team able to capture the capturing point. The countdown will reset each time a team capture the capture point, and whoever able to hold the capturing point until the time up, or eliminate all members of their opponents, wins the match.


Everyone dreaded after reading the new game formats.

"You don't have to worry, most are derivatives from Flag Tank Battle and Annihilation," said Ami Chouno.

"No, it's a WAY different..." sigh Erika.

"Well, you can do it, I'm sure of that," Ami Chouno smiled.

"The Capture The Flag and King of The Hill is the one I fear most though, since we're not used to that kind of victory condition. Sure, we could always resort back to Annihilation, but still..."

"We have to train for this one the most, I'm afraid," said Erika.

"That's for sure," said Miho, "oh, and one thing, Instructor Chouno,"

"What is that?" asked Ami Chouno.

"Can we decorate our tanks? I mean, is it alright to put pictures, emblem or anything in the tanks?" said Miho.

"Well, of course, why not? It's not like there's any Federation rules against it," said Ami Chouno.

"Great! I'll paint my tank with centipede symbol and Takeda Clan mon!" said Shizuka.

"I would put Kuromorimine's symbol on it, for sure," said Erika.

"As long as you all remember that a flamboyant-looking tank is not always beneficial in times of battle," Ami Chouno giggled.

Other guests then arrived as well. Chinese Supreme Commander, Liu Yiren came not long after with Liang'er, Yu'er and Fei'er. They warmly greet Japan Team before going to their own table. The next one is Supreme Commander of South Korea, Ahn Jae-joon, a male Sensha-do patron, and his Field Commander who happens to be his own daughter, Ahn Soo-jin. Then others came as well, and not all known by Ami Chouno. Especially the ones from Europe, except delegates from Germany.

Like South Korea, Germany led by a male Supreme Commander named Wolfgang Bäke. Ami Chouno stand when he pass by and salute him, in which he salute back with smile. Behind Wolfgang Bäke is Germany Field Commander, Brunnhilde Knispel, a beautiful, graceful, tall with wavy blonde haired girl. She glimpse at Miho and Miho could see an icy cold stare from her eyes which is enough to make her froze. No, it's different aura from when she met Darjeeling, Marie, or Nonna. This girl, Brunnhilde, could freeze someone to the bone by her mere presence.

"That girl is scary," Shizuka said.

"The German Kommandant? I would be surprised if you don't feel that way," said Erika.

"Instructor Chouno, why do you salute the German Supreme Commander?" asked Miho.

"Well, Wolfgang Bäke is, can be said, my instructor in the past," said Ami Chouno.

"Instructor? But how?" asked Miho.

"When I joined JSDF Armored Division, our company was sent to Germany for advanced training, and Wolfgang Bäke is our instructor back then. He is, can be said, one of the most badass instructor in Bundeswehr. Legend has it that he could command a Blitzkrieg advance as good as Guderian himself," said Ami Chouno.

"So that's an advantage for us if we're going to face Germany, right?" said Shizuka.

"Not really, because, like our little Nishizumi here, Wolfgang Bäke's strategies based entirely on tank strength and maneuver unpredictability. He could devise different strategy on different circumstances," said Ami Chouno, "and the one I fear most is, judging from the way he treat his Field Commander, meaning he has finally found his protege,"

"I'm taking it back, I hope we don't have to face Germany," said Shizuka, "that kind of commander is the worst to deal with,"

Miho just stay silent and looking on Brunnhilde aimlessly. Germany is a powerhouse in sensha-do, even her family's Nishizumi-style taking root of German way of armored warfare. Not to mention that German perhaps has few cards on their sleeve regarding to what so called as "mutant tanks".

"Miho-sama, Приятно познакомиться,"

Miho startled and instinctively stand after seeing who's talking to her. It's Klara, the current commander of Pravda.

"Klara-san, nice to see you,"

"I know that I would meet you here," said Klara.

"Are you... The Field Commander of Russian Team?" asked Miho.

"да, not so subtle, isn't it?" Klara smiling.

"But, how do you..."

"Well, since I'm practicing sensha-do in Japan, Rossiyskiy Tankistiya Soyuz thought that I would be a good choice as commander."

"Doesn't Russia has the equally strong root in sensha-do?"

Klara just smiling.

"RTS wanted somebody with international experience, and that is me," said Klara.

"Oh, okay..."

Miho felt that there's something Klara not tell her, but she doesn't want to ask about it to Klara, since somebody, perhaps Russian Team Supreme Commander, call Klara. She then bowed respectfully to Miho, begging her leave.

The event started when everyone has entered the venue. The World Sensha-do Federation president, Ms. Tina Jaaskelainen deliver some speech about opening of the new U-18 World Sensha-do Championship, which will be the cornerstone for international sensha-do youth programs and promote sensha-do in high schools around the world. After some protocolar shows, the representative of each nation were summoned to draw the position of their team in the bracket. There are 16 spots in the bracket, and each has been assigned on a type of match. Miho prayed that she doesn't have to fight in any type of match she's not familiar with.

The first contestants was summoned, it's the United States of America. Coming front and center is their Field Commander, Caitlyn Abigail Lee, a lovely brunette girl with a distinct Southern accent. She took the draw and got bracket A, which is a Flag Tank Battle. She then walk back in a light step, doesn't seems bothered by whoever will be her opponent next. Next is Klara from Russian Federation. She draw bracket D of King of The Hill Battle. Klara looks a little bit disappointed as she glance at bracket B and F which has Annihilation Battle, but she then shake it off and walk back in pride.

More contestants are summoned. Liang'er draw the bracket B of Annihilation Battle and put People's Republic of China to fight against Australia. Meanwhile, Brunnhilde draw bracket G, a Flag Tank Battle and will fight against Sweden. There are cheers of joy from Swedish Team, since they will have an advantage as host, but Brunnhilde doesn't seems to be bothered by it. Other drawing also saw Great Britain who will face Czech Republic and South Korea who must face their neighbor, North Korea.

"Next one is Japan!"

Everyone applaud. Miho, awkwardly moved forward. She went into the spotlight, there is a bowl there with balls in it. She put her hand in, promptly stir the balls, hoping she won't get a difficult match. After a while, she glanced at Ami Chouno, then take the ball in her hand up high.

"Bracket D! Japan will fight Russian Federation in the King of The Hill Battle!"

Miho shocked to hear that. Everyone in Japan's table also standing up in disbelief. In the contrary, Klara clapped her hands in excitement.

"хорошо!"

"Russian Federation will also played as host in bracket D King of The Hill Match!"

Miho can only stand in awe. Russia is not an opponent she expected to fight so early in the competition, especially not when Klara, who's familiar with her style is as Russian Field Commander, not to mention in Russian turf. Miho knows that another brutal game is awaiting for her and Japan Team in the U-18 World Sensha-do Championship. Will she survive from this match?


Here is the complete list of the Bracket:

A: United States of America vs Canada (Flag Tank Battle)

B: Australia vs People's Republic of China (Annihilation Battle)

C: Republic of Korea vs Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Multi Flag Tank Battle)

D: Japan vs Russian Federation (King of The Hill Battle)

E: Hungary vs Italy (Capture The Flag Battle)

F: France vs Finland (Annihilation Battle)

G: Sweden vs Germany (Flag Tank Battle)

H: Great Britain vs Czech Republic (Semi-Annihilation Battle)


Note: Underlined team would play as host for the game.

Note: Due to Hungary doesn't meet requirement for Capture The Flag Battle, they have selected Kursk Oblast, Russia as the new venue.