Chapter XXXIX: The Lone Gunwomen

Flagpoint El Alamo

Ulysses S. Grant Tank Battling Ground

Arizona, United States of America

After Aaliyah Jackson and the rest of the American crews went to capture the remaining flagpoints, Caitlyn Lee, while hauling a deep breath, finally rolled into the what was flagpoint El Alamo. Not much seems left after earlier American bombardment decimate them into visible wreckage. The walls are no longer intact, and what was a solid wall on the front side now crumbled down, creating a large enough opening for tanks to pass by. The fire has stop raging, but the destruction left in its wake seems unbearable.

Caitlyn Lee's Sweet Home Alabama rolling into the opening of the wall, followed by two Sherman Jumbos, Moulin Rouge and A Fistful of Dollar. It's impossible to picture that some kind of great fortified structures ever standing in this raised ground. Even everyone who knows would still find it hard to picture. They're moving careful to avoid debris and ruins. Some Japanese tank crews, full of charred, cuts, and bruises, and without their tanks, wobble their way to steer clear from the three American tanks that's rolling in. They looked with empty stare to Caitlyn Lee, which stood in the turret's cupola. It's a stare of a defeated person, and Caitlyn Lee knows very well of that.

Suddenly, she stopped. A tank is standing in her way, an Easy Eight, commanded by Miho. Looking from the appearance, Miho's tank's just barely escaped the raging bombardments, denting everywhere, scratches, charred, and pretty bad shape in overall. Miho herself was in no better state, with bruises, cuts, and dust all over her, but her eyes doesn't showed that she's ready to give up at any time.

"Miho Nishizumi, I presume?" said Caitlyn Lee.

"Yes, we met at last," said Miho.

Caitlyn Lee looked around to find tanks wrecks everywhere around them: Shermans, Tigers, Crusaders, and SU-100s. All fell victims to the ferociousness of American bombardments.

"I'm honestly amazed, that ye somehow survive the bombardments, Ms. Nishizumi. I'll give ye that, trully. Ye're a very lucky girl, I say."

"Or maybe God kept me alive so that we can see each other right on this time, Lee-san?"

"Perhaps. Whatever it is, I'm grateful to meet you at this very moment, Ms. Nishizumi."

The two Jumbos then point their guns to Miho's tank.

"So, what shall we do now? It's not like I'll gain victories if I white-flag you right now," said Miho, "or the other way around."

"Indeed, this is no Flag Tank Battle, Ms. Nishizumi," said Caitlyn Lee, "however I'll give ye that honor right away."

"Really? Don't you want to play around a little bit?"

Caitlyn Lee chuckled.

"I'm not a person that ye perhaps refer to 'toy with prey', Ms. Nishizumi. Though that seems very much fun, I believe that's not a proper conduct for this kind of event."

"Then what took you so long?"

"I think... I want to savour every second of my in-game conversation with ye, I guess."

"We can talk more outside, after this, Lee-san."

"Yeah, I guess ye're right, M'am. Though it hurts me to do this, I must say that it's an honor for me to do this, Ms. Nishizumi."

Caitlyn Lee prepared her gun, aimed on Miho in close range. She then looked deeply on Miho on her eyes.

"Sayonara, Nishizumi-sama..."

BLAAAAMM!

Few Moments Earlier

Red Zone A

Ulysses S. Grant Tank Battling Ground

Arizona, United States of America

A line of people can be seen traversing terrains on Red Zone A, near mesa A54 behind flagpoint El Alamo. It's the gunwomen of Japan, escorted by fierce looking men and led by an Indian girl. But the Japanese gunwomen doesn't seems to follow them by force. They even still have their own guns in their hand. What is actually happening here?

"I never thought that WSF have their own pathfinder crew, Ms..." said Shizuka.

"You can call me Candice, Candice Longhorse. Walk-in-the-Wind is my spirit name, born and raised in the wild desert of Arizona," said the Indian girl which introduced herself as Candice.

"So, you're a Navajo?" asked Alisa.

"More or less. With the WSF enacted the rules of Unrestricted Crew Deployment, the role of us, pathfinders, is very much crucial," said Candice, "there are actually a whole lot of persons that works and supports a senshado match, but you senshadoin, and the rest of the world, might only knew players, judges, and inspectors. But that's okay, we like it this way, though."

"So, what's a pathfinder do actually?" asked Shizuka.

"Like its name, finding path for strayed senshadoin like you. Locating them before they got lost and getting into some kind of danger," said Candice, "you're very much careless, if not dumb, if you think you could traverse this desert without proper instruments, or preparations."

"Well, we thought this going to be easy, just dropped here, and goes there, and..."

Shizuka stopped as Candice chuckled.

"Something funny, Ms. Candice?" asked Shizuka.

"Yes, you," said Candice, "if it's so easy, we won't carry this rifle anywhere."

"Wait, so you're saying the rifle you all carry is real?" asked Koume.

"Oh yes, it's real. In case if you haven't noticed, this terrains is full of danger, My Friends," said Candice, "trust me, you wouldn't want to fight a pack of hungry coyotes with only issued weapons."

"What? Coyotes?" asked Alisa, suddenly turned pale.

"And cougars, or sometimes wolves, if you're so unlucky," said Candice, "but the most common threats here are venomous critters. So tell me, you don't happen to carry antivenoms for rattlesnakes, scorpions, gilas, or black widow spiders, do you?"

Everyone shook their heads.

"Just as I thought," said Candice, "tell your commander, the next time she's going to send her subordinates in an out-of-tank mission, she'd better make sure that her subordinates are better prepared for anything, and I mean ANYTHING."

The Japanese gunwomen silent with their cheek blushed.

"So, to where do you lead us, by the way?" asked Shizuka.

"To where? A54 of course," said Candice.

"Wait, how do you know we're going there?" asked Shizuka.

"Is there any other reason you all wandering here other than trying to find ways to A54?" said Candice, "Come on, I'm not that stupid. Unless, of course, you have anywhere else to go."

"Oh, no, no. A54 it is," said Shizuka.

"Good, because a group of American girls are heading that way just now," said Candice, "only, they don't need a guidance, seems, since they straightly go through the old path to A54."

"Wait? American girls? How many are they?" asked Alisa.

"Uh-oh, I cannot provide you with that information," said Candice, "that's the rules."

Alisa seems dejected by that.

"So, you're going to get us to the old path there?" asked Shizuka.

"Oh, you want to go to the old path?" asked Candice, "I can get you all there if you're insisted."

"Wait, so there's other way to the top?" said Shizuka.

"Uh-huh, so which one? Old path, or..." said Candice.

"No, no, bring us to wherever you want to bring initially," said Shizuka.

"You sure?" asked Candice.

"Positive," said Shizuka.

"Alrighty then," Candice smirked.

Candice then move forward, while Alisa getting close to Shizuka to whisper something.

"Do we really want to trust her?" asked Alisa, "she's kinda sus."

"Why do you say that? She has shown to us that she's one of the WSF officials, right?" said Shizuka.

"I know, but if she really is WSF official, then why she would lead us to different path other than the one taken by the US?"

"Don't be ridiculous, we need her help right now, so let's focus on that and think about anything else after this."

The group moved along through series of giant boulders, before they finally arrived in some kind of cave. Candice then signaled the group to stop.

"What is this?" asked Shizuka.

"The Cave of Celestial People, one of the sacred route for our ancient shaman to perform ceremony on top of the mesa, your final goal," said Candice, "discovered last year, and this is the reason why this whole area become Red Zone. Previously unknown to other, except for our shaman's and his lineage. If you go through this cave, you could reach the top faster than if you go through the old path."

"Is that so? You're not leading us to the trap, right?"

Candice laughed.

"Why should I want to do that?" asked Candice, "my duty is to guide you, if there's something happened to you, WSF could held a lengthy disciplinary hearing."

"So, why you guide us here?" asked Shizuka, "not to old path?"

"There's no rule to specify which route should pathfinders take, as long as it helps senshadoins to reach their end destinations, or safety in the case of danger. Sure, we can guide you to old path, but one of the village elder has told me that if I should meet a Japanese group, then I should lead them to this path."

"Village elder?"

"Yes, he's the most respected elder of my village, coming from ancient shaman lineage in my tribe. He said that this due to Japanese 'has shown deep respect' to the village and the elders."

Suddenly, Shizuka remembers that Miho, against advise of others, has ordered them to slow down and bow when they pass the Navajo village, earlier in the game.

"He also told me that I could meet you all in the spot that we met the first time," said Candice, "odd, isn't it?"

"Why odd?" asked Shizuka, "you said yourself that he comes from long line of ancient shaman, right?"

"Yes, it's true, but... I don't know, I'm not a superstitious person, Ms. Tsuruki. Maybe all of these are just a massive big coincidence."

"Well, I thank you anyway, Ms. Candice. And, is there something we should know when passing through this?"

"Be careful on the small critters, don't disturb any of the artifacts, and there's only one road to the top, behind the rock formation on top of mesa. You won't miss it. Do you all have flashlight?"

"Yes, I have here," said Alisa.

"Good, it'll make you easier to find a way," said Candice, "just be careful, for I don't want to get in there and drag you all out due to accident."

"You're not coming?" asked Shizuka.

"Haha, no. If I enter that cave with you, that's direct violation against my order. I'll be here, patrolling if there's another group got lost like you."

"Alright then, thank you very much."

"You're welcome. Best of luck to you all, I think you need it."

Candice and her group then left, leaving The Gunwomen alone in front of the cave. Without further ado, Shizuka led them inside.

The interior of the cave is not as damp or dark as they imagine. Electrical lights has been installed in some places, and also perimeter ribbons can be seen anywhere, marking the places for the artifacts. It seems that this site is still being researched by archaeologists. Alisa turn on her flashlight for additional lighting.

There is actually a network of caves inside this mesa, and the road is pretty much straightforward to the top, with branches to places other than the top has been marked as forbidden. This is a big relief to the Gunwomen, since walking through caves allowed them to be sheltered from the scorching sun. However, a rumbling sound can be heard, and dust are falling from the top of the caves.

"Thunder?" asked Alisa.

"It's not even cloudy, moreover raining," said Shizuka, "it's the sound of the tanks fighting outside."

"And we're not among them," said Pepperoni.

"Patient, we have our own mission," said Shizuka, "and it seems the road ahead is getting narrower."

"Yes, luckily we're small in posture," said Alisa.

"We'll start creeping if we have to," said Shizuka, "just be careful on those critters."

The Gunwomen started to thread the rocky path to the top. Sunlight can be seen in front of them, and they all quickly put their sunshade on, because coming out of this dark place too fast could make you blind for some seconds. The sound of battles can be heard much clearer as they reach the opening on top.

Alisa jumps to the front, and put her Winchester on the ready, and without any voice, she peeked on what is there outside that could be waiting for them. For this, she also brought small mirror, that was sticked to her field knife using bubble gum, and use it as side mirror to see beyond their blind spot.

"What do you see?" asked Shizuka.

"Hold on, I think I see some kind of placement near the north corner, but we have to get out to see it more clearly," said Alisa.

"Any one guarding outside?" asked Shizuka, "or in proximity?"

"I don't think so, they all concentrated in the placement," said Alisa, "let Pepperoni go out first, use the rock formation as your cover, if it safe, we'll go one by one."

"Understood!" said Pepperoni while raising her thumb up.

Pepperoni quickly and stealthily come out of the opening, and prone to take firing position. As what Alisa said, nobody is there, since they all focused in a camouflaged placement few yards away from them. After giving clear sign, all then coming out as well to the position. The sound of guns fired also helped in obscuring their movement.

"Report," said Shizuka.

"I'll be damned, at least, there's must be twice of our number there," said Alisa, "all carrying M1A1 Carbines,... And, dammit, they brought along an M1919 as well."

"What? What is that?" asked Shizuka.

"M1919 Machine Gun," said Pepperoni, "now that's what I call fun."

"You and I have different understanding about 'fun', Pepperoni," said Alisa, "so, what should we do?"

The battle sound is over, and now suddenly all the American team girls in the placement getting busier, taking note, transmitting, and shouting some numbers.

"Our team has dug up in El Alamo, isn't it?" asked Alisa.

"Uh-huh, and they now reporting on our tanks' position to their commander," said Shizuka, "they need a precise location of our tanks."

"Bombardment?" asked Koume.

"I can't think of anything else," said Shizuka.

"So, what should we do now? We attack?" asked Pepperoni.

"No, wait, let them finish their reports," said Shizuka, "if we interrupted their report now, Meriken would know that their scout has been compromised, and would change their tactics at once."

"Okay, while they do, let's think about our approach, how we should handle them with they have their machine gun on their side," said Alisa.

"Long range engagements?" asked Koume.

"Too long, besides, some of them are inside the placements, they could just cower and report our presence," said Alisa.

"Our numbers are just to small for this," said Pepperoni.

"We can, if we reach full surprise," said Shizuka.

"And how are we going to do that?" asked Alisa.

"We attack, by the time they turned off the radio, and by the time our girls below fire their gun," said Shizuka, "do it lightning fast, before they have time to react."

"What about their machine-gunner?" asked Alisa.

"I'll take care of her, or them, my rifle is appropriate for this," said Shizuka.

"Can I do the base of fire?" asked Koume.

"Sure, you're good at aiming?" asked Shizuka.

Koume nods.

"Good, then Pepperoni and Alisa shall storm the placement, take out the radio operator first," said Shizuka, "make sure you're fully loaded."

"Oh, and one thing, Pepperoni," said Alisa, "if you're ran out of bullet in your gun, don't reload, change gun immediately."

"Don't reload, change gun, got it," said Pepperoni.

"Okay, be prepared now," said Shizuka.

Everyone then going to their position. By the time Japan firing their gun again, they'll start moving to raid the placement. Shizuka put her Sharp rifle in a fixed position on top of one of the rock, aimed at the girl manning the machine gun. Everyone else will move according to her initial attack. Anticipation is so tense, that even when the sun scorched heat, they're so drowned in cold sweat.

Suddenly, smoke turned up, and another salvo can be heard. American girls quickly rushed to the edge to observe the situation change, leaving only 3 girls inside the placement.

"Now!" said Shizuka.

The first shot from the Sharp flown straight into the girl manning the machine gun. Quickly, Koume ran from her hiding place, and in the kneeling position, started firing the placement. Alisa dan Pepperoni also rushed to the placement to attack at close range, pumping some shot as well. Situation got panic, and while the American teams have numerical advantage, the perfect surprise from Japanese gunwomen quickly overwhelmed them. All the American girl there are now lied unconscious, and both Pepperoni and Koume now secured the radio.

"We did it!" said Alisa aloud, as Shizuka walked closing by.

"Yeah, but I got stuck back there," said Shizuka, "you never told me that this thing only hold one bullet at a time."

"I already said that it's single shot, am I?"

"Yeah, but I'm thinking more like our Arisaka, or Winchester."

"We called that REPEATING, not single-shot rifle."

"Please, don't start the arguments now," said Pepperoni, "what shall we do after this?"

"Alright, get all the girls here, so that they're not exposed to the elements," said Shizuka, "Alisa, can you operate the radio?"

"Of course, I..."

Alisa stopped, as the radio buzzing.

"Lost Batallion, Lost Batallion, it's Sweet Home Alabama, come in."

Everyone stunned as they hear the voice from the other end of the radio.

"Oh boy," said Alisa.

"What should we do?" asked Shizuka.

"Errmm... I think, I... We have to answer the call somehow, otherwise she'll found out that her secret observation point has been compromised."

"But we can't just answer it carelessly!"

"Umm... You're right, quick, find something, anything to make us sounds like them.

Everyone quickly rummaging through the nest for any items that is useful. Koume quickly pulled out a notebook, full with codes for any Japan tank, and a diagram of El Alamo, already in a grid and named on each sector.

"Will this be useful?" asked Koume.

"Yeah, I think, now we have to..." said Alisa.

All stopped, as the radio was buzzing once again.

"Lost Batallion, Lost Batallion, it's Sweet Home Alabama, come in!"

Shizuka stares at Alisa.

"I think you really need to answer that call quickly," said Shizuka, "at least let her know that everything is okay here."

"Alright, I believe that's right," said Alisa.

Alisa quickly took the microphone, but before she hit the button, Shizuka raise her point finger.

"Remember, don't say 'sumimasen'," said Shizuka.

"I know, don't worry."

Another buzz came.

"I swear to ye, if ye're not picking up my call at once, I will..."

"Sweet Home Alabama, this is Lost Batallion, over," Alisa replied to Caitlyn Lee.

"Okay, what's keeping you so long?" asked Caitlyn Lee.

"Err... Sorry, M'am, something's going on, err..."

Alisa quickly looking at one of the American girl that lies unconscious, and she saw the name in her uniform: Maddy. There's no chance to check if it's the correct name...

"Maddy accidentally messed with the radio while we're trying to contact you, err..."

"What? Again!?"

And at that second, Alisa felt relieved by the response.

"Err... We're terribly sorry,... Err... It won't happened again," said Alisa.

"Ye'd better be make sure of that! Yer main task could be enacted by any minute, and we perhaps won't get a wide enough window to do that, ye understand?" said Caitlyn Lee.

"Yes, M'am, understood."

Koume quickly flashes everything she found in front of Alisa. It turns out that these girls has already mapped El Alamo, with grid and color coded, also the current position of each Japan tank, complete with note on each time they change position: from, to, and when. With this information alone, even a blind person can shoot each tank accurately. In addition, Koume also found a notebook full with agreement code. Seems that these American girls are all rookie, that they even need to note down any code, in case of they forgot.

"Prepare yerself, to kill a mockingbird," said Caitlyn Lee.

Koume quickly point to a sentence about "kill a mockingbird", which means, the heavy hitters is about to do the ultimate strike. She also points on appropriate response to this.

"Roger that, mockingbird is going down," said Alisa.

The procedures after that are maintaining radio silence, and this made Alisa felt very much relieved. Everyone watched her with smile.

"How do I do?" asked Alisa.

"Good, for a moment, I won't recognized you as a Japanese," said Shizuka.

"Luckily I'm fluent in English," said Alisa, "so what shall we do next?"

Shizuka put out a piece of a handheld radio equipment. She didn't use that to talk to anyone, instead, tapping the signal button for a few times in a distinctive pattern.

"Okay, now quickly, we have to bring all those girls in, tied them up here, where they will be sheltered," said Shizuka, "try to disable the radio anyway you can, but be wary since they could contact us again."

"It's said here that they already reported the current position of our forces," said Koume, "if they're about to strike, then let's hope they won't ask for updates."

"Hope not," said Shizuka.

Pepperoni enters while carrying two girls at once, and after put them in shelter, she stretch her shoulders a bit.

"Is that all?" asked Shizuka.

"Yes, that's all according to my last count," said Pepperoni, "are we done here?"

"Almost, I've sent signals to Taichou, let's hope that..."

"O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
"

The song suddenly struck an eerie feeling that shiver through their spine. Everyone stopped and start looking far to the front.

"And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
"

"Oh my God..." said Alisa, cannot believe with what they just saw.

Silver contrails rising from the hill to the sky, a whole lot of them, and suddenly sky is turning grey as the contrails fill the sky. And moments later, explosion erupted, sending hot strong wind onto them, with high forces.

"Come on! We have to go down and prepare for the next steps!" said Shizuka.

"But our forces..." said Koume.

"Let's hope that Taichou already done something," said Shizuka, "now come on."

And they quickly rushed to get out of the place, as the second wave of rocket bombardments flown to the sky.