Chapter XXXX: Sunshields
Flagpoint El Alamo
Ulysses S. Grant Tank Battling Ground
Arizona, United States of America
Caitlyn Lee prepared her gun, aimed on Miho in close range. She then looked deeply on Miho on her eyes.
"Sayonara, Nishizumi-sama..."
But before she give signals to fire, she suddenly sensed that something is off. All now silent, and when she looked around, that once are Japan tank crews injured and helpless, now empty. She then looked at one of the tank fiery wreckage, but when she watched it carefully, it's not really like tank at all. The plates are very thin, and despite the magnitude of the bombing, a real tank wouldn't be so obliterated like a rubble.
"Wait a minute, this is..."
"BLAMMM!"
Two shell fired at the same time, and both Jumbos on Caitlyn Lee's left and right, Moulin Rouge and A Fistful of Dollar, got white-flagged at the same time. Before Caitlyn Lee could react, two tanks, Erika's Tiger and Carpaccio's SU-100, with their smoking guns, slowly creeping toward her tank. They were the one who decimated both escorting Jumbos. As Caitlyn Lee tried to evade, another tank, Fondue's Tiger already blocked her only escape route backward.
"Well, well, well, I'm impressed..." said Caitlyn Lee tried to maintain her cool composure.
"It's not only you who could set up a trap, Lee-sama," said Miho.
"What is this actually? How do ye..."
"Sunshields."
"Ahh, so that's it..."
Sunshields are codename for deception tools used in Operation Bertram, deception operations carried out by British forces in North African Campaign. In order to deceive German Afrikakorps from knowing the exact position and numbers of British armored column, British would cover their tank so that they be misidentified as regular truck, thus covering the real position of British armour to deceive German intelligence by believing that no British armors in the designated area. As such, another "sunshields" in the form of tanks also deployed in false locations, therefore creating illusion that British armored column is still very far away.
"I've consulted with one of my officer, Orange Pekoe, and she said that this kind of operation is possible, under the condition..."
"Ye've taken out my scouts in Hill A54."
"Yes, that's right."
Caitlyn Lee hauled a deep breath.
"I never thought that ye could figure out that ploy."
"Actually, that, I think, is a very rational steps you'll do."
"Really?"
Miho nodded.
"Since your lightest combatant, Sherman Jumbos, won't be able to race against my Crusaders, I believe that you must've consider surrendering El Alamo to us, in which you must've also have thought on how to reclaim El Alamo again, or better, taking us down while hunkering in El Alamo."
"Our tanks are strong enough to beat ye in open battle, Ms. Nishizumi, or battle in any other flagpoints but El Alamo. So what's gave us a way?"
"Well, first, I noticed that in open battle earlier, there are 10 tanks still unaccounted for. Since no attack from the canyons to our flagpoints, I could only figured that you stowed that 10 tanks for giving us powerful blow. You have no other option, since only a devastating blow would be capable to beat us while hunkering down in El Alamo."
"And ye know that I'm using Sherman Calliope from..."
"Oh, I specifically asked Instructor Chouno to check on any American tanks made available for WSF matches. It's still very vague though, until I saw one name..."
"Marisol Vera."
Again, Miho nodded.
"I'm impressed, ye must've seen the article."
"Marisol Vera once pulled the same trick, yes, and it became headlines in senshado news, I'm very grateful that information about senshado in the United States are very much open, so once I found that piece, I kinda able to pull things together."
"Hell yeah, it's a huge gamble, if I may said it myself."
"Indeed... To be eligible to compete in WSF match, you have to choose what your Calliope should be, right?"
"That's right. If we want to use them as medium tank, then we mustn't carry our rocket launcher racks. But if, like I did, wanted to use them as tank destroyer, then the main gun must be spiked, relying only on rockets. It's good, it could pack a lot of punch we needed, with one small price to pay..."
"You can only carry enough ammunition for two barrages. That's why you need to be very precise on using them."
"The very same reason why I put scouts in A54. In theory, the triangular scouting would give us exact positions of all yer tanks. With most of yer tanks obliterated, we could win easier... But I guess, not all yer tanks here, right?"
Miho shook her head.
"I told them to get out before the barrage, or at least most of them, and replaced their positions with dummies. With your scouts in A54 out of commission, we could slipped by unnoticed. I also guess that you all will be mesmerized by the explosion that you forget to check the other angles."
"Sleight of hand, indeed. And yes, guilty as charged."
Flagpoint El Dorado
Oblivious to the event happened in El Alamo, the rest of the American combat group, under Aaliyah Jackson, rolling to flagpoint El Dorado, which still being held by Japan. 11 tanks rolls: 1 T29 Little Miss Sunshine, with 4 Sherman Jumbos and 6 Pershings. Eclair's Sherman is there, guarding the flagpole, along with Emi Nakasuga's Tiger, which previously in flagpoint Tombstone.
Flagpoint El Dorado is not as robust as El Alamo. It's like an abandoned farm, bordered only by wooden farm fences, which barely enough to cover half of the rectangle. Four deteriorated wooden cabin-like building, a worn windmill, haystacks and a dilapidated barn, all won't be enough to hold the might of the tanks. Aaliyah Jackson quickly sent their tanks into the farms and surround Emi Nakasuga and Eclair, which sits by the flag-raiser in the middle.
"Such a brave person you are," said Aaliyah Jackson.
Emi Nakasuga and Eclair are silent.
"Now, I'm taking the flagpoint, thank you," said Aaliyah Jackson.
"Over our dead bodies!" said Emi Nakasuga.
"Oh well, if that's what you both want..."
"Who said that there's only two of us?"
Suddenly banging sounds of tank guns can be heard surrounding the American, and suddenly white-flag started to pop on each of their tank. Japan detachment, under Orange Pekoe, has slipped through the carnage in the El Alamo, and quickly taking concealed defensive position in El Dorado, going into the broken-down barn, and hiding under "sunshield" in the shape of cabin. The other tanks hide in the surrounding. By the time American tanks rolling in, each of Japan concealed tank already pick one of them as target, waiting for Orange Pekoe's cue to unleash fire.
Hearing the commotion in the radio, Marisol Vera with her spent Sherman-Calliopes company grew frantic. She quickly ordered all crew to get back to their tanks and starting up the engine.
"Quickly! Our compadres is in danger! We have to assist them!" said Marisol Vera.
"But how? We don't have any ammo left!" asked one of the tank crew.
"Bump them! Ram them! I don't care what are you doing, just fight them to the teeth! Let's go!"
Sherman-Calliopes under Marisol Vera, with zero ammunition, hastily and clumsily rolling to assist their comrades. The task of Marisol Vera is supposedly finish with the end of bombardment, but now, shit has hit the fan, and she's obliged to help once more. However, the moment they're getting out from their hiding place, 4 Crusaders, led by Shizuka Tsuruki, quickly intercepted them.
This perhaps the most unequal battle Japan have ever had. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Japan's Crusaders are fast, agile, and have enough ammos, while their opponents are slower, clumsy, and have no more ammos to throw. It's like a pack of nimble coyotes preying on a heard of helpless cattle. Some tanks trying to ram their predators, but in the end, any attempt on resisting is futile.
In El Dorado, US tried to fight the best they can, but they fall prey to the ambush that has been set by Japan. Little Miss Sunshine got some shells in her, but still managed to break free the encirclement. In the mind of Aaliyah Jackson, she only concerned that Caitlyn Lee could have fell to the same trap, which it is. She tried to drive her wounded tank back to El Alamo. However, Orange Pekoe already had her in her gunsight. Calmly, she sip her tea before signaling her gunner to shoot.
BZZZZ...
There's only silence of static left in American radio channel. Caitlyn Lee bitterly smiled. She knows exactly what's that supposed to means.
"So this is it, huh?" said Caitlyn Lee, "ye've won."
"Well, there's still 7 minutes left before the time is up," said Miho, "I wonder if..."
"Can I ask ye a small favor, Ms. Nishizumi."
Miho stood in silence. She knew what will be asked by her counterpart right now.
"A captain should not abandoned her ship, right? Or in this case, her crewmates."
Miho nodded, before she stood and bow to Caitlyn Lee.
"I'm sorry," said Miho.
"Don't be, it is what it is. Ye've done a goddamned good job. Take pride in that, will ye?"
"So do you. Otsukare sama deshita, Lee-sama."
"Hahaha, yes. In America, we said 'good fight', so good fight, Ms. Nishizumi."
Both Miho and Caitlyn Lee smiled. Then, Miho lifted her arms in the air, signalling for the tanks to ready to shoot. She looked in the eye of Caitlyn Lee, and they're glistening with tears.
"So this is how it feels, huh? When they choose to perish over mercy?"
Miho didn't answer, just nodded lightly.
"It's okay, though... 'Tis well," said Caitlyn Lee.
Glaring sound of guns then echoing in the area for the last time for that day, as sun is preparing to go down.
One Hour Later
Staging Area of Ulysses S. Grant TBG
New Mexico, United States of America
Japan teams gathered in their hangar, while their tanks are being hauled back to the carrier to be repaired. All are chattering about the match. This can be said as their best match, especially if compared to the match against South Korea, which the casualties are high despite the victory. Ami Chouno came to congratulate them.
"Great work, you guys, now we're in the final, yaay!" said Ami Chouno.
"Who's our opponent in the final, Instructor Chouno?" asked Miho.
"Err, I don't know. The battle between France and Germany isn't over yet. I think we would have known the result in a while," said Ami Chouno.
"But we will face them in Japan, right?" asked Erika Itsumi.
"Sure, in two weeks," said Ami Chouno, "about that, Federation have decided to give you some 2-3 days holiday in Hawaii!"
"What!? Is that true!?" said Azusa, very much surprised.
"Yes, courtesy of WSF and USA Senshado," said Ami Chouno, "Moogoonghwa will drop you on Shinano before going back to Seoul, and you shall get some stuffs to go on a vacation in O'ahu for 3 days flying home to Japan, how's that!"
"YEAAAYYY!"
While everyone is cheering happily due to their promised vacation, Miho with the Anglerfish Team silently slipped out of the ecstatic crowd to one of the quieter corner.
"Finally, we're going to vacation!" said Yukari.
"Yes, I'm going to sunbathe in Waikiki Beach, yaay!" said Saori.
"I just want to go to sleep," said Mako.
"You can't, the sun in Hawaii is so fun to missed out!" said Saori.
"All the sun in the world is the same," said Mako.
"I wonder if they have some kind of ikebana in Hawaii?" said Hana, "the flowers in Hawaii are very exotic, I can't wait to find out."
"Maybe you can made us some leis, Hana-san," said Miho.
"Oh, I surely will," said Hana, "after I take a meal, of course."
"Isuzu-dono can't live without food, right?" said Yukari.
But suddenly, they fell silent as they see a figure of a blonde girl with European style clothes and carrying a wooden oak box coming closer to them. This is the same girl that have watched the match between Japan and South Korea in Honam.
"Frau Nishizumi," said the girl, with thick German accent.
"Yes?"
"First, congratulation for your victory."
"Yes, thank you. But, sorry, who are you?"
"Ah, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Maria Häber, I've been watching your matches for some times."
"Yes, but watching..."
"Mein Frauen has a gift for you."
Maria Häber handed the box that she was carrying to Miho. Confused and reluctantly, Miho took the box, which the lid adorned by Pour le Mérite symbol and monogram "K".
"Open it, Nishizumi-dono," said Yukari excitedly.
Miho nodded and open the box, but upon seeing what's inside, Miho startled, and drop the box to the ground. The content of the box, a silver cup, threw out of the box, with a loud clanking noise. The noise are so loud that everyone stop chattering and looked to see what's happened.
Yukari, oblivious to what's happened, quickly down to the floor and take the silver cup, handing it to Miho's palm which still looked very terrified.
"Don't be like this, Nishizumi-dono. People will think that you're impolite," said Yukari, "let's thank her and her Frauen for the generous gift they gave you."
Yukari then go to Maria Häber and bow to her.
"My Taichou perhaps very happy that she's startled by your kind gift," said Yukari, "please, allow me to thank you and your Frauen..."
"Stop it, Akiyama!" Erika suddenly shouted.
Yukari stepped back as she saw Erika walking close to them. Erika looked at Maria Häber with fiery stare, but Maria Häber doesn't seems to flaunt even a bit.
"Sag es deiner Frauen, ihre mittelung erhalten," said Erika, "aber wir werden sie bekämpfen, bis zum letzten atemzug."
"Wirklich?" said Maria Häber with sinister grin, "Gut. Meine arbeit erledigt is, Frau. Auf wiedersehen."
"Verlassen!"
Maria Häber smile and walked out of the place. Miho still very much shock, unable to speak, just holding on the silver cup tightly.
"What is that, Itsumi-dono?" asked Yukari, "what is actually happened?"
"You don't know, do you?" said Erika.
"Know what?"
"Read the engraving on the side of the cup. What does that say?"
Yukari quickly read the engraving on the cup held by Miho. There are only 3 lines there:
4
Miho Nishizumi
23 Februar
"February 23rd? Isn't that..." said Yukari.
"The date of our final match, yes," said Erika.
"But why?"
"At the times of First World War, there was an ace of German Luftstreitkräfte named Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen. He's the best ace, not only in German, but in the entire Great War. He had a peculiar custom, that each time he shot down an enemy, he would make a silver cup with the engraving of the number of shot-down, type of planes, and the date he shot him down. Pretty much like this."
"What? So..."
"Yes, it's a direct threat from German commander to ours, Akiyama. She would shot Miho down at the final."
"But the other finalist hasn't yet been decided, right? The match isn't over yet, right?"
"I think somebody has already knew that she'll be going to final, Akiyama. And if that's correct, then we must prepare for this. Any girl who can predict the outcome of battle before it happened is not something to be taken lightly."
