Chapter XXXIII: The Meriken


Federation Carrier The Shinano

Off-shore of Hawaiian Islands

United States of America

Two Arleigh Burke class destroyers of US Navy, the USS John Paul Jones and USS Sampson are currently escorting The Shinano to its anchor place. The commander of local US Coast Guard Base, Honolulu Naval Base (including Hickam AFB) as well as liaison officer from USA Senshado has come to greet them, as well providing support and good reception for the "honorable guest from the Far East".

The girls itself quite focused on their training, making up lost time due to bad weather. However, now, they have something to do during their free time, a new kind of normal as we may say. Being inside American territory, the carrier's TV capture an interesting channel, Senshado Channel Network, an American TV channel dedicated 100% for sensha-do purpose. There are few sub-channels to follow Senshado Major League, especially since it's already play-off stage. As it happens, today there will be a live play-off match between two professional sensha-do teams, which is Hawaiian Bravehearts, and the New England Gladiatrix.

Everyone has gathered up in the videotron screen in the square of Sensha Town very soon after they finished their today's training. It's still one hour before the match begin, but everyone excited to watch the channel because even the extras and commercials are very interesting to them. A lot of sensha-do related stuffs, engine oils specially made for tanks, fuel additives, sensha-do official workshops, up to so many amenities be made for sensha-do.

"I never thought that sensha-do can be made so festive and colorful in America," said Erika.

"Yes, it's very Meriken style, they completely refurbished sensha-do to look appealing, even for commoners," said Shizuka, "these Merikens never do anything half-heartedly."

"Absolutely, look at that, all that products, services, the whole world revolving around sensha-do, from bobble-head toy till air-freshener for tanks?" said Erika, "I don't want to talk us down, but let's face it, in this field, they're WAY ahead of us."

"Interesting, isn't it?" said Shizuka.

"And those tanks... Ooh, I can't bear to watch!" said Erika.

The wide-screen shows an array of tanks, all with bright, vibrant, and flamboyant liveries, complete with decals and accessories, unlike in Japan which still orthodox. Miho chuckles, as this reminded her of the appearance of Ooarai tanks in their first exhibition match against St. Gloriana.

"I actually like it this way," said Miho.

Everyone looked at Miho.

"You know, everyone can enjoy sensha-do together," said Miho, "there shouldn't be any division in sensha-do, everyone on any kind of shape should be able to enjoy it. No matter if you have a heavy tank, light tank, or even those without tank should be able to be brought together by sensha-do, to be able to fight in the same fair field."

"I agree with you completely, sensha-do has becoming more cocky in our home country," said Shizuka, "a sport in which only selected elites could enter. Isn't that right, Erika-san?"

"I'm a firm believer on skills and merits, Shizuka-san," said Erika, "if they have skill, then they shouldn't be barred from sensha-do."

"Well, at least we both agreed on that," said Shizuka.

Miho smiled to Erika, made her felt a little bit awkward. But, she suddenly handed a chocolate for Miho.

"Eh? What is this?" asked Miho.

"Ehm, consider this as my apologize," said Erika.

"I thought I told you that you don't need to apologize..."

"I insist. But let's not everyone to know, shall we?"

Miho smiled once again, as Erika flustered.

"I know that deep in your heart you care, Erika."

"Stop it. Don't make this thing getting more awkward."

Everyone stopped for a second as the live shows begin. The hosts of the show, William Hughes and Martin Dermott, did very well to heat up the occasion.

"We are now live from Mauna Kea Tank Battling Ground, the home ground for this season's most sensational underdog, The Hawaiian Bravehearts," said William Hughes.

"Served it right, William, as on the previous seasons, The Tiki Armies always sunk in the bottom half of regional scoreboard, so nobody expect they would be so powerful this season, let alone, entering play-offs where they would challenge one of the East Coast powerhouse, the New England Gladiatrix," said Martin Dermott, "what more is that they did that by using Japanese tanks, which in America are considered as one of the weakest tank in USA Major League Senshado."

"That's right, Martin, despite the Tikis lacking in tanks, they managed to go to play-offs, even caught our attention when they defeat one of the strong team, the LA Golden Armies, in their first match, and paving their way to play-offs. It all thanks to their newly appointed commander, Laura Momona, or as what fans said, Cool Hand Momona."

"Yes, but don't get it wrong, folks. Momona, 26, a native Hawaiian girl, is anything but cool. When she got her hands in the tank, she is as fierce as anyone could expect. Her bold and daring strategy is what hoist The Tikis position this high. The tale of this season's Hawaiian Braveheart is a tale of Cinderella with a big gun."

"And we're going to remind all of you folks, that at the end of this weeks, our own United States U-18 team will be fighting against Japan in Ulysses Simpson Grant Tank Battling Ground. This would be the last match of USA's U-18 commander, Caitlyn Abigail Lee, since she has been drafted by professional team, Mobile Bay Southern Belle, marking her as the youngest draftees by The Belles in 20 years. Many expected her to present the world trophy this year, before moving to The Belles."

"Despite the expectation, her road won't be easy, as her opponent would be the hottest Cinderella story Japan ever had, Miho Nishizumi. Watch out, folks, she might seem as a cute girl, or kawaii, as Japanese said, but this girl meant business! She has lead Japan destroying both Russia and South Korean in a very decisive manner, using very un-orthodox strategy to caught her opponents off-guard. She is the belle that shall crushed you under her caterpillars with no hesitations when you give her a chance. Messing with her, and she will beat your ass back to your momma crying! So don't forget, folks, for the U-18 semifinal big match between USA and Japan, stay tune, cause you're watching only on Senshado Channel."

Miho got blushed to be called that way.

"Now the game is about to begin, between Hawaiian Bravehearts, or The Tiki Armies, against New England Gladiatrix, who has established a well known reputation as a powerhouse in East Coast. The Tikis has to win in this match, otherwise they shall got hard time in the second leg match in Maine, since The Gladiatrix hasn't been lost in Maine for 5 years in a row!"

"Thirty tanks has been ready in each corners. For the play-offs, we can have maximum of 15 tanks of each team. We have tonights line-up. Hawaiian Bravehearts shall deploy 10 Type-97s; The Shinhoto Chi-Ha, and 5 Type-3s, The Chi-Nu. Meanwhile, The Gladiatrix will deploy 8 French Char B-1bises, and 7 British A34 Comets. Will this be another classic battle of 'unstoppable force' against 'immovable object'?"

"Almost definitely. The Gladiatrix are well known for their defensive marching tactics, using the armor of their French tanks to protect their British big guns. Very interesting to watch, since Laura Momona never resort to any strategy other than aggressive ones. Will the thick wall of The Gladiatrix finally able to break the charge of The Tikis? We'll find out soon, folks."

The screen then showed two teams lining up for pre-match greets, still following the original Japanese sensha-do tradition. The leader of Hawaiian Bravehearts, Laura Momona, seems very prominent with a kihei, made of kapa cloth, adorned with traditional Hawaiian motives, wrapped on her shoulder. At first it seems like a regular Japanese sensha-do greetings ceremony to these young girls. However, after each team bowed to each other, Hawaiian Bravehearts started to make formation with Laura Momona stand as spearhead, lifting her heavily-decorated traditional spears, or pololu, before suddenly the sound of conch was heard. All Hawaiian Bravehearts girls then turns into contorting their face fiercely.

"That's..." said Miho.

"A Haka?" said Erika.

"No, it's a ha'a, Hawaiian counterpart of Maori Haka," said Emi Nakasuga.

"Now this is new," said Shizuka.

"I never imagine they could pull this performance during greeting ceremony," said Miho.

"That's Meriken style for you," said Shizuka.

The Tiki Armies perform their war dance and chant, the ha'a, that despite much more elegant than ha'a for male, is still showing powers and menace. Japanese team doesn't flick even once, hypnotized by their power and beauty. But while the opening act is already captivating, the match itself is very much unimaginable. Fueled with a thirst of victory, both team showed daring, and daunting performance that is nothing like what they found in Japan. Especially for the Hawaiian Bravehearts, which deployed Japanese tanks.

"I-I never thought that Chi-Has could be used that way..." said Saemonza.

"Their style of fighting surely brought shame to our Chi-Ha-Tan charging style," said Kinuyo Nishi, "it's like they're veteran warriors, teaching us lowly rookies on how to use Chi-Ha and the charge in glorious manner!"

"Their Chi-Ha are as irresistible as the charge of Takeda's heavy cavalries, and their Chi-Nu are as powerful as the rolling fires of Oda's musketeers," said Shizuka, "never before in the history of human conflict does these two powers could be used in harmony."

Yes, unlike a reckless Chi-Ha-Tan's charge, The Tikis' Chi-Ha moved back and forth elegantly, trying to place their aim in between B1s' wall. On other occasion, they lured enemy tanks to be bombarded by the more powerful Chi-Nu. The nimble Chi-Ha has been utilized so extensive that they become a formidable fighting units. It's like Shizuka said, the combination of Tikis' Chi-Has and Chi-Nus are like combining heavy cavalry of Takeda's Clan with musketeer ashigarus of Oda Nobunaga.

Despite the determination of Hawaiian Bravehearts, the battle went anticlimax. After surviving initial shock attack that cost her a Comet, Catalina Rodriguez, captain of The Gladiatrix went on full defense mode. While New England Gladiatrix are well known for their defense tactics, the one enacted by Catalina Rodriguez against The Tikis is beyond any imagination, even for their own fans. Normally, their strategy, called "Testudo", recall for a dynamic and flexible defense line, utilizing two guns of their B1s to make a stand as well as initiating attack.

However, that is not the case. Catalina Rodriguez refused to walk out from their B1s shells, even when opportunity present itself several times. They bombard recklessly, even when there's no Tikis' tank in positive visual. This made Laura Momona got frustrated, and in the end revert to long range attacks instead of their usual aggressive approach. They return fire from their Chi-Nu, utilizing their longer barrel compared to B1s low-pressure gun to achieve farther range. The end result? Tikis still win, due to one of their Chi-Nu shell accidentally fall on top of Gladiatrix's flag-tank's engine block, disable it instantly. However, the memory of this battle is very bitter that Laura Momona refused to shake hand with Catalina Rodriguez, something she never did ever before. Despite, it made Tikis to have an edge over Gladiatrix for their second leg in Maine.

"That was intense..." said Erwin, after the match is over.

"I never thought that sensha-do can be played that way, ze yo~" said Oryou.

"I think we must learn from The Hawaiian Braveheart when we have time!" said Kinuyo Nishi, "they master their Japanese tank very well!"

"I'll be sure to take note, Nishi-dono," said Fukuda.

"Oh, by the way, where is Taichou?" asked Saemonza, "I didn't see her anywhere."

"Doesn't she watch the match with us?" asked Caesar.

"Maybe she slipped out unnoticed, ze yo~" said Oryou, "Taichou's sneaking skill is second to none."

"Oh wait, there she is..." said Erwin.

Miho approach them carrying a bag full of documents. She signalled so that Hippo Team, and the nearby Chi-Ha-Tan girls to come closer.

"What is it, Taichou?" asked Erwin.

"WSF has issued the maps and recon photos of Ulysses S. Grant," said Miho, "also with notification that US team has opted for non-disclosure, meaning none of our tanks will be presented in pre-match ceremony."

"Good call, I would have it that way myself," said Kinuyo Nishi.

"Yes, but that made me worried about something," said Miho, "so I need the help from all of you."

"Just say it, Taichou," said Erwin.

"Please create scale models for Ulysses S. Grant, and leave no tiny detail," said Miho.

"Alright, how large do you need?" asked Erwin.

"As large as possible, I need to be able to walk there," said Miho.

"B-But, doesn't Ulysses S. Grant is few hundreds of square kilometers wide?" asked Saemonza.

"I know, that's why I asked for your help," said Miho, "History Buff Group has a widespread reputation about recreating battlefield in detail."

"When do we earn that reputation, ze yo~" Oryou mumbling, pouting.

"When do you need it?" asked Erwin.

"It's three days before we go to Four Corner," said Miho, "so it would be proper if you can finish it tomorrow."

"To-Tomorrow?" cried Saemonza, "is that even possible?!"

"That's why I asked for Chi-Ha-Tan to help you," said Miho, "they have an impeccable attention to detail as well."

"We, Chi-Ha-Tan, won't disappoint you, Taichou!" said Kinuyo Nishi.

"Employed anyone as much as you see fit," said Miho, "but it's very important that you all can finish this by tomorrow."

"Is there something you really need to happen, ze yo~?" asked Oryou, "I mean, it's not like you can't read the mapping and aerial photos anyway."

"Tomorrow, Instructor Chouno would be gone to usual technical meeting in WSF North America," said Miho, "I want to be sure of something before I gave her a question to ask."

"What question is that?" asked Kinuyo Nishi.

"That depend after you made the model as best as you can," said Miho.

Everyone is contemplating about something.

"Well then, we'd better get to work," said Erwin, "no rest for the weary tonight!"

"Thank you very much," said Miho, "I'll help as well."

"No, no, you'd better sit back and relax," said Erwin, "we need you to be in freshest condition as possible."

"Any strategy you can concoct using the scale model is the only help we need, Taichou," said Saemonza.

"After all, as you said yourself, this is our forte," said Oryou, "only us, historian, are pride and able to make this kind of work, ze yo~"

"Alright, thank you very much!" said Miho while bowing.