Chapter XXXXII: Fox Hunt
Port-of-call
Ooarai Girls' Academy Carrier, The Zuikaku
Ooarai City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Japan
Miho stepped in to school building of Ooarai Girls' Academy. After few months, she and the rest of Ooarai Team finally return to this place. It's been long flight from Honolulu overnight using JSF's newest Boeing 777-300 federation plane "Himawari", continued by almost two hour of road travel from Haneda to Ooarai City. It's very exhausting, but the girls relieve to be able to come back home to the place they know and love.
The city of Ooarai is livelier than usual. People are gathering on the streets, flags, baloons, posters are everywhere. There are only few occasions for people to gather like this: on Anglerfish Festival, and when Ooarai won Senshado Cup, and this time, they gathered once more to greet their local heroines which has brought Japan to U-18 World Senshado Cup final. The crowds are cheering when the buses carrying Ooarai Senshado Team rolling on the streets, giving them a very warm welcome.
"Look at the crowd!" said Saori, "they loved us, Miho!"
"They should be," said Yukari, "it's not just a citywide, but also nationwide, since we're carrying the banner of Japan!"
"Um, yeah," said Miho.
"Something's wrong?" asked Hana.
"I don't know. I like this greetings, but we're not winning yet," said Miho, "final can still go either way."
"Oh, by the way, have you found out about your mother's message, Nishizumi-dono?" said Yukari.
"Not yet. Instructor Chouno, Erika-san, Nishi-san, even Lee-sama from America has volunteered for help, but no news about that yet," said Miho, "it's okay, I don't want to think about this yet; there are still a week plus before final."
"So, tank free week?" asked Hanna.
"That sounds nice," said Miho.
"I'm afraid we can't," said Saori, "look!"
As they looked outside, the entire Ooarai Senshado Team's tanks has lined up to greet them. Front and center are Gomoyo and Pazomi, which left behind to take care of the team while Miho and the others gone. Bus then stopped in front of them, Miho was the first to come down.
"Greetings, Taichou, great to see you again," said Gomoyo.
"Greetings to you too," said Miho, "sorry took us a while to comeback, you must have gotten your hands full."
"It's okay. Prez and the Turtle Teams helped us greatly," said Pazomi, "without them, we would've been overwhelmed."
"Speaking of which, where is Prez? I don't see them anywhere?" asked Miho.
"Alas, so unfortunate, but Prez and the others needed to go back to Shimofusadai, since it's midterm test weeks," said Gomoyo, "they felt sorry to not be able to greet you today, since they would finish their tests next week."
"Oh my, by that time, we have to be in Naha," said Miho.
"Yes, they know, and sent you a best regards," said Gomoyo, "Prez also said that they will go to Naha to watch the finale. They hoped to meet all of us there, since all schools are invited to attend finale in Naha."
"Indeed, but quite a welcome you all prepared here," said Miho.
Miho looked around as the senshado team of Ooarai has assembled all their tanks in the field. The nine original tanks, plus 5 Panzer IIIs and 4 Stuarts which they got recently.
"You're planning on doing some battle here, Pazomi?" asked Miho.
"Well, the girls seems quite restless," said Pazomi, "anxious to show the new skill that they get while you all on leave."
"That's good, but I'm afraid..." said Hanna.
"Daijoubu!" said Miho, "let's have a simple game."
"But you said you..." said Hanna.
"They've prepared this with all their heart," said Miho, "it would be inappropriate if we let them down."
"Ah, great, and I've already planned to sleep all day long," said Mako.
"Really, Mako?" said Saori, "is that all that you're thinking?"
"Does Prez changed a thing while we're gone?" asked Miho.
"Well, not much. Prez mostly do basic and advance training to sharpen skills and established position of the newly formed teams, which, unfortunately, we haven't yet got a name," said Pazomi.
"So that means..." said Miho.
"Yes, our old teams remains, but since Prez use the Hetzer, we haven't got new team for them," said Gomoyo.
"How about Team Mallard?" asked Miho.
"We have Megumi Ando; or Dogumi and Maria Sanosuke; or Sanmari, both from Public Moral Committee to fill the position for Sodoko-san, so we're good," said Pazomi, "the rest is still relatively the same. Prez said she doesn't want to overstep your authority as commander."
"Thank you," said Miho, "so, since everyone's here, let's settle for the team, shall we?"
"Wait? Now?" asked Noriko, "like, right this instance?"
"Yeah, why not?" said Miho, "Isobe-san, Sawa-san, let's have roll call."
Noriko and Azusa then quickly rounded up all Ooarai senshado team in the field. Despite taking quite long time to train for the team, Anzu Kadotani and Student Council Team didn't change any team structure, so it's still the same as when Miho left them. They only taught technical skills and basic strategies. In less then 5 minute, everyone has gathered up in front of Miho, with Noriko and Azusa in her sides. Pazomi handed a document with all the team names on it, despite Miho not needing it, since Miho knew every single one of Ooarai senshado members.
"Right, so now, we're going to name the teams," said Miho, "as per Ooarai's tradition, you might use the name of any animals you like. Any one wanted to suggest a name for their team?"
Couple of girls then raised their hands. Miho pointed them to speak.
"Miyu Nakamichi, please," said Miho.
"We have decided to use the name Team Giraffe, Taichou," said Miyu Nakamichi, commander of a Panzer III.
"Right, then Giraffe it is," said Miho, "how about you, Tomoko Shiraishi?"
"Can we use the name Team Orca, Taichou?" asked Tomoko Shiraishi, commander of an M3 Stuart.
"Granted," said Miho, "is there no one else?"
Nobody raised their hand again, and left the decision to Miho.
"Alright, then, I'll call the name of the commanders and assigned you with specific name," said Miho, "if you object, just said it, okay? Let's start with the rest of Panzer III, then Stuarts. Kirika Kanjiya?"
"Yes, Taichou!" said Kirika Kanjiya.
"You'll be Team Tanuki," said Miho, "Kaede Takei?"
"Yes, Taichou!" said Kaede Takei.
"You'll be Team Pelican," said Miho, "Minami Shirosaki?"
"Ready, Taichou!" said Minami Shirosaki.
"You'll be Team Grasshopper," said Miho, "Ayaka Saiyuu?"
"Here here!" said Ayaka Saiyuu.
"You'll be Team Macaque," said Miho, "now for Stuarts, Miki Nomura?"
"Hai!" said Miki Nomura.
"You are Team Unagi," said Miho, "Karen Moriwaki?"
"M'am, yes, M'am!" said Karen Moriwaki.
"You are Team Catfish," said Miho, "and Hinako Nishimura?"
"At your service!" said Hinako Nishimura.
"You are Team Snowcrab," said Miho.
"Understood!" said everyone almost in unison.
Miho then looked on the member original teams.
"Due to changes in some members of the team, I would like to fill in a new configuration for the old teams," said Miho, "first off, Team Mallard will consist of Pazomi as commander, Gomoyo as driver, with Dogumi and Sanmari to assume the role of gunner and loader for 75mm sponson gun of Char B1."
"Ready, Taichou!" said all members of Team Mallard.
"Team Leopon will consist of Automobile Club members, with Satomi Tachikawa as commander, Ryoko Honda as driver, Yuriko Aichi as gunner, and Naomi Suzuka as loader," said Miho.
"Understood!" said all members of Team Leopon.
"Taekou Kondo and Aya Oono, you will stay in Team Anteater for now, since you've been fighting together all this time," said Miho, "and to compensate that, freshman Yuriko Ogata will join Duck Team, while freshmen Mizuho Arisaka and Manami Takamura will join Rabbit Team."
"Understood, Taichou!" said both Rabbit and Duck Team.
"We shall later revisit the configuration of Anteater, Duck, and Rabbit Team after U-18 World Cup final," said Miho, "and the rest of the team shall remain the same."
"Sorry, but who shall take the position of Team Turtle?" asked Noriko.
"That... We'll leave them for now and revisit that later," said Miho, "okay, now, everyone but the commanders go to your tanks. Commanders, come to me."
Everyone but the commanders then ran to their tanks. While all the commanders walked closer to Miho.
"Alright, let's just play a little game, shall we," said Miho, "it's called the Fox Hunt. You all will be divided into two teams, and since we have two vice-commanders, then one team will be led by Isobe-san, and the other by Sawa-san."
"Understood," said Noriko, "so, what's the rule?"
"Simple, whoever able to white-flag the 'Fox' shall win the game," said Miho, "you're allowed to eliminate members of the opposing team to secure your victory. Simple, right?"
"Right, but who shall be the Fox?" asked Azusa.
"Us, Anglerfish Team," said Miho.
"Now that make things a way more complicated," said Noriko.
"Don't worry, Fox won't shoot back," said Miho.
"That doesn't help to decrease the difficulty level," said Azusa.
"Alright, then how we decide which belongs to which team?" asked Noriko.
"Let's just draw it," said Azusa, "it's faster and impartial."
"Do that, meanwhile, we have to hide in the wilderness," said Miho, "just shout in the radio about the team, and we'll start the moment you all ready."
Miho then go to her own tank, and in no time, already left the place, even before everyone started drawing their team. Since for this match Miho's tank won't shoot, Hanna and Yukari was being tasked to help the surveillance. They arrived in some sort of creases in the wilderness of Ooarai, which has been their home ground since the competition last year.
"So, we just wait here?" asked Saori.
"Mm-hm, when they found us, then we'll move," said Miho, "be sure to track the radio for their position."
"Well, I don't like this at all," said Saori, "forbidden to shoot with the entire forces of Ooarai chasing us."
"I might as well not moving," said Mako, "maybe then the game will finished quickly, and we'll have time to sleep."
"We can't," said Miho, "we have to give a good example for them, especially the kouhais."
"Ah, speaking of which," said Saori, "radio contact from Isobe-san and Sawa-san."
"Connect that," said Miho.
"Taichou, just giving you an update," said Noriko, "my forces are Team Hippo, Team Leopon, Team Mallard, Team Orca, Team Unagi, Team Pelican, and Team Grasshopper."
"Update," said Azusa, "my forces are Team Anteater, Team Shark, Team Giraffe, Team Macaque, Team Catfish, Team Tanuki, and Team Snowcrab."
"Wow, Sawa-san is in a weaker side here," said Yukari, "Isobe-san has a more experienced teams on her forces."
"Doesn't mean that they're at disadvantages," said Miho, "Sawa-san has more of the youngsters, yes, but we shall not forget that these are the young guns that we left a while ago. I guess they must be eager to show that they're a force to be reckon with."
Yukari nodded.
"When will we start hunting?" asked Noriko.
"Right about..." said Miho, "now!"
"Roger that, over and out!" said Noriko.
"Over and out, Taichou!" said Azusa.
Radio then bustling with rumbling sound before dwindling into static silence. Everyone stop talking, but more aware. Saori browsed the radio for any possibility of hunters nearby. Ooaraians are very much familiar with this ground, and to find Anglerfish Team's Panzer IV lying here is just the matter of time. And when that time came, they have to be ready for action.
Meanwhile...
Azusa standing on top of her M3 Lee's turret as she's scouting for her target, as well as any opponents around. She's completely aware that right now she's in disadvantage, not only because most tanks in her team are youngsters', but also Rabbit Team now being attached by two newbies. The same thing also happened in Duck Team, but for Duck Team, the vacant position is radio operator, while in her team, it's gunner of 37mm gun and loader of the 75mm. This is very critical, since if they can't keep up, then Ayumi Yamago and Saki Maruyama has the work cut out for them.
"Yuuki, how's the situation?" asked Azusa, "has we got any of them?"
"Negative," said Yuuki Utsugi, "I'm still scanning the area."
"Are you sure we don't need to split up to cover larger ground, nyaa~?" asked Nekonya of Anteater Team.
"No, I fear more about the possibilities of meeting Isobe-san's company," said Azusa, "we have better chance to fight them off if we're together."
"That is, of course, if they don't find Taichou's first," said Ogin of Shark Team.
"How about if we split not in individual but smaller groups, nyaa~?" asked Nekonya, "I could take two tanks of our kouhais, and also Shark Team, and you the other one."
"Nope, I'm sorry, permission denied," said Azusa.
"Argh, why you're so hard-headed, Rabbit-chan?" asked Ogin impatient.
"Because..."
Azusa didn't continue. She somehow knew that they have to stick together, but she can't explain why. Saying that it's only because of her hunch seems ridiculous now.
"Hey, I know I'm still young," said Azusa, "but can you all please trust me? I can't always explain what I feel, I just know that this is the right thing to do."
Everyone is silent for a while.
"Nekota-san," said Aya Oono in Anteater Team, "can I beg to you on behalf of Azusa?"
"Nyaa~" said Nekonya.
"When I still under her command, she's one of the most reliable person I know," said Aya, "could we please trust her, at least this time."
"Well, if you said so, nyaa~" said Nekonya.
"Right, let's give our little Rabbit-chan her chance," said Ogin, "as sailors, we follow what captain said, instead of staging mutiny."
"Thank you all!" said Azusa.
"Well, what should we do now, nyaa~" asked Nekonya.
"I have a strong feeling on one of the place," said Azusa, "on the wood near the rocky hills."
"Let's go there then," said Ogin!
Azusa's forces then rolling to the place that has been mentioned by Azusa, solely by her hunch. It's a huge gamble, since if Anglerfish Team's tank isn't there, then her forces will perhaps don't listen to her anymore.
At another place, Miho is standing on top of the turret, with Yukari popping her torso from the loader's hatch.
"They would probably frantically looking for us, Nishizumi-dono," said Yukari.
"Perhaps," said Miho, "or perhaps not."
"Not? But isn't it..."
"You know, Yukari-san, finding and white-flagged us is not the only way to victory. There is another way to win this game."
"Another way?"
Miho smiled and nodded.
