Chapter XIX: The Ring of Steel (Part One)


Forest Around "The Hill"

Tunguska Tank Battling Ground

Siberia, Russia

Team Japan regrouping in one of ex-campfires lit by Katya BT-7s' squad after getting ousted from The Hill. Miho is dreaded to see that she doesn't have many tanks left on her.

"What's the status? Which are still here?" asked Miho.

"Erika, Shark Team, Naomi, Assam, Nina, and Sheska has been white-flagged during the attack," said Emi, "now it's only me, Orange Pekoe, Fondue, and BC Girls remaining from Tigers Team."

"Not much casualties on the Shermans, only Koume and Tamada's tanks got white-flagged," said Alisa, "however, I must tell you that Anteater Team is still unaccounted for."

"Unaccounted for? What do you mean?" asked Miho.

"They definitely hasn't yet been white-flagged, but their whereabout is currently unknown," said Alisa.

"Is it possible that they still trapped in The Hill? In the middle of Russian fortress?" asked Azusa.

"Could be, or could also be they're stranded somewhere in the forest," said Alisa, "I think there's something wrong with their radio that they can't contact us,"

"I'll try to contact them, Taichou. After all, Aya is there," said Azusa.

"And also Taekou," said Noriko.

"Do that, do anything to make sure their whereabout," said Miho, "how about other teams?"

"We lost Carpaccio as she tried to stall Russian advance with Koume and Shark Team," said Erwin.

"And Crusaders team is still intact," said Shizuka.

"So, that leave us 21, or maybe 22 tanks left, against 27 Russian tank standing there," said Miho.

"Not to mention that Erika is gone as well," said Orange Pekoe, "I don't know what shall we do without..."

"Suck it up, Pekoe-san!" said Emi.

Everyone are looking on Emi.

"You are now the commander of St. Gloriana College, a powerhouse in sensha-do. If this kind of thing let you down, then how will you lead your team to glory?" said Emi.

"Emi-san..." said Orange Pekoe.

"We will find our way to get around this situation, I know that. We just need to not give up and support Miho-san as our Taichou, since I know that she will find a way, and by that time, we have to be ready to support her the best we can."

Orange Pekoe smiled.

"You're right, Emi-san. Darjeeling-sama once told me that 'destiny is unfaithful, the disadvantaged side might not always be the one that loses'," said Orange Pekoe, "the final five minutes will decide everything."

"Miho, do you have any plan for this?" asked Emi.

"Ano... I kinda wonder about where did they perform their bombardment," said Miho.

"As I said before, I know the place, it's like a ledge on the hill," said Erwin, "we don't see it as such at the first time, but right now we believe that the ledge could hold their SU-152s quite well,"

"Should we go there and take a look?" said Shizuka.

"You want to make the enemy taste their own medicine?" asked Alisa.

"I don't think they won't be anticipate that move, though," said Miho, "but let's try. Erwin-san, please do us a favor,"

"Alright, we'll go there," said Erwin.

"What about the rest of us?" asked Emi.

"Do some bombardments on The Hill, from few different angles," said Miho.

"Without light, there might not be much use," said Emi.

"The objective is not to destroy their units, that won't be possible for now," said Miho, "but if there's one of our friend still trapped in there, I want to attract their attention on us as much as we can, so that they won't start looking building by building for our friend,"

"Leave that to us," said Chifuyu Doi.

"Alright, report to me for whatever things you might encounter," said Miho.

"Okay!"

Everyone then going to their position. Except for Shizuka.

"What do you need from us, Taichou?" asked Shizuka.

"Prepare yourself to be launched at short notice," said Miho, "you remembered what we've been talking about, are you?"

"Yes, but are you sure?"
"I trust on your judgment then, as do I trust you now."

"Understood, Taichou."

Shizuka then retreating, and Miho saw the darkness that once are The Hill. In her heart, she prayed so that Anteater Team is alright.

Meanwhile, at The Hill, Klara is riding on the street, personally inspecting the defense of what she called as "Ring of Steel". Just when Katya come to her.

"Report, Komandyr, Nikita and SU-152's team are coming back," said Katya.

"Good, tell them to positioned themselves for the defense and don't turn any light," said Katya.

"Yes, is there any more order?"

"Tell your squadron to check all the buildings in here, who knows there's still one or two Japan tanks still left behind. I don't want them to be the weak spot on my defense."

"All of them?"

"Left no stone unturned. And where's the two commanders?"

"They're on the central square for last layer of defense."

"Good, they need to be in one place to talk on each other."

"Or kill on each other."

"нет, they won't do that while I'm still here."

"By the way, Komandyr, is it the right idea to call of our SU-152 back? Won't they use the same spot to bombard us?"

Klara shake her head while smiling.

"Well, I'd like to see they try," said Klara.

At the same time, under Miho's direction, Japan tanks are preparing themselves in the vicinity of The Hill. They will start bombarding on Miho's cue. However, with blackout and having no advantage of higher ground, their bombing wouldn't be as severe as what Russian does few moments ago.

"Taichou, this is Hippo Team," said Erwin via radio, "I've got to the ledge they were using to bombard us."

"And?" asked Miho.

"It's bad here. Seems like they were planting their own shell in the ground and detonate them when they left the site. All the ledge is almost gone, I think now there's only cramped space for a single tank to stay on the firing platform."

"Can you see The Hill from there?"

"Negative, it's pitch black here, though the snowing is cleared up."

"Could you go to the firing platform, Hippo-san?"

"I guess Oryou could maneuver us to the place, Taichou. But what should we do there?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Roger that."

Erwin close the conversation.

"You heard what Taichou said, Oryou?" asked Erwin.

"Yes, but I won't say that it's an easy driving, ze yo," said Oryou.

"Just do your best," said Caesar while picking up a torchlight, "I'll go up there and guide you."

Meanwhile, down below.

"Taichou, we're ready in firing position. Order, please," said Chifuyu Doi.

"Prepare to fire on The Hill. I believe you've known The Hill's layout well," said Miho.

"Kinda hard with this blackout, but we'll do our best," said Chifuyu Doi.

"For better range, use indirect shooting to bypass the wall. Just be careful not to overshoot The Hill," said Orange Pekoe.

"Roger that, we'll start our bombardment," said Chifuyu Doi.

Cues are given, and almost in unison, Japan tanks fire their cannons in parabolic shot to The Hill. Since Russia impose blackout, so Japan don't really see what they're shooting at. And hoping that one of the shot miraculously landed on enemy's tank.

BLAAMM!

A shell landed not far from Klara and Katya's tanks.

"They're bombarding us," said Katya.

"Not from the ledge, but from the side of the forest," said Klara.

"Perimeter guards told me that Japan firing from three different directions in a manner of screening fire. Could it be they're attacking? But that's impossible, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's impossible that Japan is going to attack in this situation. However, we can't take any risk. Miho likes to play move that any other commander deemed as 'impossible', so a big chance Miho would try to make a breakthrough on our perimeter defenses."

"What should we do?"

"Pull your squadron for now. Big chance Miho would push her Crusaders for breakthrough, and your squadron is the only one who can catch up with their speed."

"Understood, Komandyr."

"Let's pull back to inner circle and take cover. Though they're shooting at us blindly, the risk of getting shot are real."

Quickly, all BT-7s currently tasked to search on building are being pulled away to the inner circle, out of Japan's bombing range. This decision put the BT-7s away from harm, but little did they know that somebody else also sighed in relief by this order. Located in a shed somewhere near inner circle, is a Sherman tank belongs to Anteater Team.

When Russian breaking The Hill, Anteater Team got lost in the fray, and forced to hide in the shed, in the middle of Russian encroachment on The Hill. They have to shut down their engine and turn off any light so that they won't be spotted by Russian team. Aya, Momoga, and Nekonya quickly cover the tank with hays, a feeble attempt to keep the tank warm without having to light any fire that would give them way. Meanwhile, Taekou working so hard to fix the radio which damaged during the fray.

"They're pulling away and stop searching, nyaa~" said Nekonya as she peek through a slat in the shed.

"Thank God. For a moment I'm afraid they're going to find us here," said Aya.

"Japan seems starting a blind bombardment, the situation is like a New Year fireworks outside, momo," said Momoga.

"By the way, how is the radio repairing doing, nyaa~" asked Nekonya.

"I've fixed the broken parts, we've got our signal back," said Taekou.

"Good, we have to tell Nishizumi-taichou that we are here, nyaa~" said Nekonya.

"Roger that, I've had it tune, so..."

Taekou stopped as a dreading sound was heard, it's a sound of a heavy tank approaching. Everyone in the Anteater Team suddenly frozen in fear their position has been compromised. They're waiting, however though the tank engine sound is heard very close, it doesn't sound that the tank is moving.

"That tank isn't moving," whispered Aya.

"No, it seems they're stopping in the side of this shed, nyaa~" said Nekonya.

"Would they be looking for us here, momo?" asked Momoga.

They're waiting for their impending doom, but nothing happened, only the tank sit there next to their hiding place. No sign of the crews going out to continue their search.

"I'll try to take a look," said Aya.

"Be careful," said Taekou.

Aya climbed up to the Sherman and try to reach a ventilation slat on the top of the wall. With her heart beating fast, Aya trying to see who's beside them. With the help of the flashing bombardment light, Aya quite surprised by what she saw. She's so surprised that she has to close her own mouth to avoid making noise.

"What? Who?" asked Nekonya.

"She's here, beside us," said Aya, "their commander, Klara,"

"Are you sure?" asked Taekou.

"Positively sure. I'll never gonna forget a face that is so familiar," said Aya.

"Should we report this to Taichou as well?" asked Taekou.

"Report it, but please be careful. Don't let her heard us here, nyaa~" said Nekonya.

Taekou then trying the best of her ability to minimize static on her radio while trying to report to their fellow Japan team. And that transmission was received directly to Rabbit Team's radio operator, Yuuki, which monitoring the channel for their lost companion. Hearing about this, Azusa, commander of Rabbit Team, quickly notify Miho, which quickly rushed to their tank.

"Anteater Team, come in, where's your position?" asked Miho.

"We are in the AQ shed as we draw in our map, Taichou," said Taekou, "we got caught here during the fray, but we are okay,"

"Hang in there, we'll try to get you out safely."

"Thank you, Taichou. But I have other thing to tell you. Their commander, Klara, is here beside us."

This made Miho surprised.

"Klara-san?"

"Yes, what should we do?"

"Don't do anything, just keep an eye on her. We'll try to break you out, so hang in there."

"Alright, Taichou."

The radio connection is off for now. Miho hauled a deep breath, and looking on Shizuka.

"You heard that?" asked Miho.

"Yes, Taichou," said Shizuka.

"You know what to do."

"Understood."

Bombardment suddenly ceased. This made Russian team are in anticipation of what to come next. In this pitch black condition, all of Russian members must rely on any moving silhouette created by now fading campfires they made. Klara has strictly instruct to not turning on the light under any condition. This would make Japan quite hard to pinpoint any target inside The Hill.

"Be adviced, we've got movers on the south side," said sentry #1.

"Another moving shadows on the southwest side as well," said sentry #2.

"So does the west area," said sentry #3.

"She do wanted to attack," said Katya.

"Can we go and chase them back?" asked Yelena.

"Negative, suppress them to retreat, don't leave your post," said Klara.

"Komandyr do know the best wisdom," said Natalya.

Russian tanks then begin firing on the moving shadows. The light and flash of explosion showed the attempt Japan made to approach The Hill. Each time, Japan tanks pull back on heavy barrage, but going forward again as the barrage lighten, like a game of tug-of-war.

"Prepare yourself, Katya," said Klara.

"What's the matter, Komandyr?" asked Katya.

"If my calculations are correct, Miho would now unleashed her Crusaders for spearheading the breaking our ring," said Klara.

"I'll be ready," said Katya.

"They're fast, so there's big chance our lines won't be able to hold them from entering or exiting. When they do, chase them, and don't give any mercy, so that Miho won't be able to use them for another spearheading mission," said Klara.

And suddenly...

"They're coming here fast!" said sentry #4, "five tanks! We can't target them!"

"Here they come!" said Klara, "all tanks, don't chase them if you can't shoot them. Let BT-7s squadron do the job."

Utilizing their blazing speed, Crusaders, with their light on, darting past the Russian barrage and breaking through The Hill. They're firing rather aimlessly and straying anywhere, only few shots able to grazing Russian armor. However, Russian tanks doesn't move from their position.

"They're just shooting aimlessly," said sentry #4.

"Good, meaning they just want to harass and stir us up to leave our post for their own forces to enter, so don't take the bait," said Klara, "Katya, go get them!"

"Yes, Komandyr!" said Katya.

Katya quickly spurred her squadron to chase the infiltrating Crusaders. With Crusaders turn their lights on, should be no hard to find them. She also monitoring the movement of the Crusaders by the report of sentries. She learns that all the Crusaders are breaking formation and split up, maybe to provoke the Russian sentries on larger areas. BT-7s then breaking formation, trying to follow the Crusaders.

Meanwhile, Klara is still in her tank, not moving anywhere. She doesn't know that an enemy tank is very near to her. However, given the circumstances, Anteater Team can do nothing more than just sitting here and wait. Japan are starting their bombardment again, this time with reply from Russian sentries. And the flash lighting up The Hill for a little bit. If she could prevent Japan from making attempt to break her defense, she would be able to hold The Hill for victory.

But suddenly, a flashing light blinding her from the dark. Klara cover her eyes with her palms and see a Crusader now stop in front of her tanks, about few feet away. It's Crusader with centipede emblem, and Shizuka is standing in the hatch. This encounter seems surprising for both of them as they stand still, froze, for seconds. Klara and Shizuka are now seeing upon each other eyes.

"Komandyr!" shouted Klara's tank crew.

Quickly awaken, Klara and Shizuka going down their hatch, and in another second later, both tanks are firing on each other. Shizuka's shot hitting the thick frontal glacis of Klara's IS-4, explode, but causes only little harm to the tank, just like a minor shockwave for the crew inside. In the contrary, Klara's 100mm shell quickly blast Shizuka's Crusader flying and rolling tumbling back few yards away. Shizuka's tank are now wrecked and white-flagged.

"How idiot, a Crusader trying to get an IS-4 head-to-head, from the front," said Klara.

"Komandyr, are you okay?" asked Katya.

"Yes, Katya, I'm okay. An idiot Crusader trying to take my tank from the front, but I've taken her down, so everything is good. How's the attack?"

"Japan stop their bombardment and approach. Their Crusader are now regrouping and heading for exit, so request permission to get out of The Hill and chase what remain of them."

"Granted. Miho seems took her Crusaders as important part of her plan, so we must deny her from those."

"Alright, Komandyr. Over and out."

Klara put back the radio. Her crew seems alright, only mildly shocked by the fire. After making sure everyone is okay, she got back up to the hatch. A wrecked Crusader is still lying in front of her few yards away, unable to posses any threat. Klara sighed, can't think any reason of why a Crusader doing such foolish act.

Then, she realized something. In the condition of pitch black, her tank lights up dimly in all over the tank's hull and turret. She then swipe a patch of light in her tank.

"What is this? Luminous paint? But how..."

Suddenly she heard some dreadingly familiar sound darting from the sky, and doesn't took a long time for her to figure out what that sound is.

"Incoming!" she said while quickly jumped down the hole and close the hatch.

"BLAAMM!"