Chapter LIII: Nacht der Bachstelzens

VIP Mesh Area

Kadena Air Force Base

Okinawa, Japan

In a mesh tents prepared for the VIPs, all of Miho's friends sit together in a large and long table full of delicious foods. Despite the appetizing sight and smells in front of them, they ate very slowly, with their eyes fixed on the large screen ahead of them, showing the standing of Japan v. Germany match in Himeyuri TBG. They all seems serious watching since Japan is still not out of danger yet, and the latest development definitely made them worry.

"Mihosha doesn't seems to be in her best form today," said Katyusha, "so unusual of her."

"Actually, she's done her best," said Nonna, "but Germany is more determined to win, and if necessary, by all means possible."

"Yeah, I heard about that beef with the Knispel girl," asked Anchovy, "what is that all about actually?"

"That's some old family dispute," said Maho, "but it seems Brunnhilde Knispel is chasing for closure tonight."

"Oh, will Miho be alright?" asked Kay.

"Don't worry," said Darjeeling, "as far as I know about Miho, she will find the way to win. Though her way of winning, maybe, not like what we expected."

"Meaning?" asked Katyusha.

"Miho could sacrifice herself for victory," said Nonna, "that's what Darjeeling meant."

"As long as Miho is around, Brunnhilde would always pursue her for revenge," said Darjeeling, "without Miho, Japan would have more chance."

"But without Miho, in this critical time, Japan will lost some of its strength," said Anchovy.

"I believe Miho has prepared for this as well," said Maho, "I'm just glad that Orange Pekoe saved Erika. You taught her well, Darjeeling."

"Pekoe is a girl with deep understanding," said Darjeeling, "I believe she understood the meaning when Miho told Erika to prepare for taking command."

"Not like Erika, unfortunately," said Nonna, "she's oblivious, but at least she's at the right hand."

"I kinda jealous of her," said Darjeeling, "she'll be served with the best of abilities from Pekoe and Assam, like I had."

"So, everything is fine then?" said Kay while gulping a potato mash.

"Not quite."

Everyone looking at the corner of the table to see Alice Shimada with her poker face.

"Unless those rittmeisters be taken care of first, Miho's sacrifice would meant nothing," said Alice Shimada, "and I think Miho aware about that too, since she hasn't played her last card."

"Last card?" asked Nonna.

"But then again, Germany still have their cards in the sleeves, right?" said Alice Shimada, "today's battle is still far from over. In fact, I have a doubt that it will be concluded before dawn."

"What card? Does Brunnhilde Knispel still have more surprises to come?" asked Katyusha.

"Mm-hmm."

Alice then pointed on the screen with her dining knife.

"Look, some of the German tanks are behaving oddly, aren't they?" said Alice Shimada, "running back and forth, seems aimlessly doing things."

"Yes, I can see those, but what do you mean?" asked Anchovy.

"It means," said Maho while standing from her chair, "Germany is preparing for something more sinister for us."

Himeyuri Tank Battling Ground

Okinawa, Japan

"So, you agree with me?" asked Erika.

"About that Germany has some way to scout on us? Yes, I agreed," said Miho, "the big question is how."

"It's in the middle of the night on the new moon," said Shizuka, "the night is the darkest in this time; so it's difficult to see if anything is around."

"Maybe they're using my way?" asked Alisa, "err, I mean, a balloon to intercept radio communication?"

"We don't talk in radio that often," said Shizuka, "I doubt if they can get anything useful."

"Plus, we change our code yesterday while still on the carrier," said Erika, "there's no way they could know, even if they have multiple Yukari Akiyama sneaked into our carrier... Ehm, no hard feeling, Akiyama."

"None taken," said Yukari.

"Anyway, we have to find out how they scout us and put it to stop," said Miho, "otherwise we'll be doomed for sure when they made their next move."

"If they're not using any radio-intercepting device, then it must be visual," said Shizuka.

"And if they know exactly where our positions in multiple spots at once, must be from the height," said Alisa, "but no high mountains here."

"No, can't be from the mountain top, must be higher," said Erika.

"Not to mention this is pitch black," said Alisa.

"Well, I think for that, I can answer," said Assam.

"How?" asked Alisa.

"Zielgerät 1229, or Vampir," said Assam, "it's night vision scope developed by the Wehrmacht. With that, pitch black condition is no problem."

"But none of the tanks we met has Zielgerät on it," said Carpaccio, "they must've used a lot to cover more distance, right?"

"Not quite, if they have the vantage point, they could use just a few of them to scout for large area," said Assam.

"So must be from the height?" asked Alisa, "a Zeppelin, perhaps?"

"Or maybe an aircraft?" said Shizuka.

"No, it's impossible, the use of powered aircraft is forbidden by the rules," said Miho, "and Zeppelin is too cumbersome to prepare. We would have spot it by now."

"Must be something small, then," said Shizuka.

"I've considered the possibility of them using aircraft as well," said Assam, "the problem is, from any database of Heer and Luftwaffe that I know, nothing suit to the description."

"It's not powered, right?" asked Shizuka, "so could it be they're using kite, like our ancient ninjas?"

"Oh!"

Suddenly something seems struck on Erika's mind.

"The kite! That's it!" said Erika.

"Wait, you're not serious, are you?" Shizuka, "I mean, using kite?"

"Well, not the kite that you're thinking, at least," said Erika, "Wagtail."

"Wag-what?"

"Wagtail, Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze," said Erika, "it's a kind of unpowered reconnaissance vessel used by Germany during the World War II, kinda like a rotored kite."

"But I don't find the data on Heer or Luftwaffe's?" said Assam.

"It's because they were used by the Kriegsmarine," said Erika, "as a surveillance device for the U-Boat. It could extend the surveillance radius of a U-Boat up to 25 miles."

"Those things are dangerous," said Miho, "we must find way to get rid of them ASAP."

"Well, Bachstelzes are unpowered, meaning they have to be towed from a moving vehicle, so some of the German tanks must've been modified to tether each of them," said Erika.

"So, what should we do? Search for those tanks?" asked Shizuka.

"Yes, then we have to take out the Bachstelzes on them," said Erika, "destroy the rigging, disconnect the tethering cable, or just white-flag the tank. Don't worry, the Bachstelzes could land safely after their cable being severed, but they won't be able to be used by our enemy again."

"Hold on," said Miho, "Mako-san, I need your help."

Mako nods. She then pulled the tank over to a huge tree, grabs the portable radio, before quickly climbs the tree to the top. There, without the obstruction of the canopy, Mako has a clear view of big, pitch black sky. She squinted her eyes, tries to look for shadows beyond the dark background.

"I found them," said Mako.

"How much are they?" asked Miho.

"About three, or four," said Mako.

"Blimey! With those, they could cover for a very large area!" said Yukari.

"Mm-hmm, but since unpowered, they must be attached to the tethering tank all the time, meaning they musn't risked the cable to snag on branches or tree," said Miho.

"So, we're looking for patches or strips of paths with clearing long enough to keep the Bachstelze in the air?" asked Erika.

"Yes, then look at tanks which behave strangely, namely just running back and forth, or going around aimlessly," said Miho.

"Luckily there's not much for that kind of terrain here," said Shizuka, "and I think I'm close to one of them, so I'll go and check it out."

"We have one also, we and Sheska, I mean," said Ogin, "we would check them."

"The remaining such terrains seems a bit far," said Miho, "could the remaining Crusaders check them?"

"Duck Team, copy that!" said Noriko.

"Team Maverick, copy that!" said Carpaccio.

"I don't think Knispel-san would assign escorts for them," said Miho, "but please be prepared for any possibilities. You don't have to white-flag them if that's not possible, just disable their Bachstelzes. Be careful!"

"Roger that!"

Centipede's Hetzer quickly rushed to the strip of land long and open enough for towing the Bachstelze. Shizuka jumped to the top of the tank and look for the black sky. She prepared her katana in ready to wield position, when she senses some disturbance in the air. As she looked up, a dark helicopter like silhouette is fluttering way above her head silently. Had she not known what to look for, she would'nt have noticed the shadowy figure.

"I see one, hit the floor!" said Shizuka.

Rin quickly speed up her tank, as they come close to the tethering tank, a Tiger. Shizuka is standing while maintaining her balance on the tip of the cannon as the Tiger's shadow drew closer, the katana is at the ready. When they close enough to the lowest tip of the tethering cable, Shizuka quickly jumped and slashed the cable off, before smoothly landing on her tank. Rin then move the tank off the grid before the Tiger recognized their presence. Far above the sky, a Bachstelze slowly descended to the ground, no longer tethered to the tank keeps it on air.

"Got one!" said Shizuka, "let's get outta here."

"You know, it would be easier if you just shot the Tiger rather than pulling this stunt," said Rin.

"I won't sneak out on an enemy and stab her from behind," said Shizuka, "I'd sneak out or stab from behind, but not at the same time."

"Suit yourself," said Rin, "I just thought that we will have less tank to worry about if we shot it."

"One may die," said Shizuka, "but she may not lose her principles."

As the Hetzer of Centipede Team vanished into the darkness, another report coming in that Shark Team and Seshka's Tigers managed to white-flag another tethering tank, but they then involved in a skirmish, since the tethering tank was guarded by two other German tanks. It's still unknown what happened to them after that.

In another place, the attempt of Japan to take down the German's Bachstelzes was noticed by Brunnhilde Knispel, after hearing that two of her Bachstelzes has been out of contact.

"They knew," said Maria Haber.

"Yes, faster than I thought," said Brunnhilde Knispel, "but I never doubt that Miho Nishizumi would found out."

"Should we guard the remaining Bachstelzes, Mein Fraulein?"

"No need, prepare for the next operation."

"Jawohl, Mein Fraulein."

"And push the remaining Bachstelzes to find out where is Miho Nishizumi's whereabout. The faster we found her, the faster we could perform Operation Lotusblüte."