X
A/N: Sorry if I disappeared everyone, I was busy trying to find a job, but so far, no luck. Better late than never though.
X
After the festivities the sun crept forth over the horizon lighting the harbor a blaze with warmth, at the Saunders' dormitory the girls arose from their sleep, through an open window the sun's rays flooded through bouncing off the walls and floors of the room. The two occupants resting inside soon began to stir from their sleep, Naomi arose from her bed finding all of her clothes scattered all over, and she wasn't alone. By her side George was laying with his bare-back expose to her, she looks down and smiles, and tries to silently leave the bed. Peeling the blankets off Naomi tries to recollect her clothes only to be pulled back sitting down on the side of her cot looking back down to see George was holding on by her waist.
"Did you sleep well?" George asked softly as he rubs the side of his face against Naomi's bare hips feeling the pleasant smooth touch of her skin up to his cheek.
"Like a log" Naomi responses then then he throws herself back onto him.
George once again found himself under Naomi, her face hanging inches from his, the tips of their noses just glancing off each other once they pressed their foreheads together, and their fronts just pressing up against one another in a bear hug.
"Today's the big day. Are you ready?" Naomi asked.
"Can we just stay here... a little longer?" George requested trying to snuggle up to her once more.
But Naomi gently brushes her hands over George's face chuckling at the cuties attempt to woo her back to bed, she gets up and collects her clothes throwing George's pajamas back to him.
"Go get dressed," she ordered him.
Slipping on his sweats George goes back to get ready.
\Ooarai Hanger/
The engines were purring, the treads turning, the girls of Ooarai rolled their tanks as Yuzu with a clipboard gave a quick inventory check on food and bullets, the history club was reviewing their strategies, the mechanics clubs double checking engine maintenance.
"We made it back on the finals again everyone," Miho announced much to her teammate's excitement, "Are you ready?"
"SIR! YES SIR!" the team roared all together.
"You girls look like you're all in a good mood," Anzu noticed the preppy mood the whole team was in.
"Did you have a "special" time of your own at the baths?" Yuzu asked trying to hide her blushing face.
"You can say that," Saori only noted seeing Yukari trying to clean out the barrel of the Mark IV only for Daulton to give her a quick slap on the rear.
"Are those two gonna do it again?" Aya asked seeing the couple at play.
"If they are, let's not get involved," Azusa advised, "We got way more than we bargain for last night."
And the majority of the team agreed some of them rubbing their bottoms.
"We're up against the Saunders again," Momo stated the obvious, "You think the enemy will stoop to low tricks again?"
"I doubt Kay will do such a thing," Miho argued that they are on the best of terms when comes to Saunders.
"Except we're not playing against Kay, we're playing against George," Anzu said otherwise.
"Well we're just gonna do the unsuspected," Miho countered.
"And we'll leave you to it," Anzu trusted.
\Mainland/
Coming over the ramp off the carrier Miho looked over the whole town that was eager to hoist their finals, bright shining town huddled up against the harbor, and surrounded by a lush green environment of grass fields and trees. The day was beautiful for a battle. As Miho lead her team down the ramp, she looked over to the side seeing the larger Saunders' carrier, looking closer a lift could be seen lowering a dozen of Shermans only for the one little M8 among them with George poking halfway from his turret staring back with a smug. Miho waved hoping that he would respond and he has as George raised a hand to give a seemingly innocent thumbs up almost making Miho smile only for him to run the tip of his thumb across his neck. Miho just gulped seeing that he still intends to win as top priority, he then chuckles see the shook look on Miho's face before disappearing below.
"Well this is gonna be a fun game," Miho said to herself.
"Don't let looks fool you, Miho," Hana interjected poking her head out from her hatch, "Remember what Daulton warned us about."
"What warnings?" Yukari jumped into the conversation, "We kicked him out of the hanger before he could tell us."
The girls then just traded glances to their lack of valuable information until the majority of the eyes landed back on Yukari. She sighs already knowing what they wanted before a word was even uttered,
"Hey, Gale, darling, can you..."
"No! you girls lost that chance long ago," Daulton denied them much to their dismay.
Boarding off the carriers kids eagerly waited by the sidewalk for the tanks to pass so they can wave at the girls hearing the many wheels turning with a distinguishable squeaking sound and the weight of tons of steel straining the suspension, the treads rattling as they crawled through the streets. Carefully navigating through the streets without a fender-bender... Mostly. But they have a tank any argument you can bring up is invalid. Not too long the teams found their way out of the town and into more open fields giving much elbow room for their tanks. Some of the girls could be seen swerving in long turns going back in forth like how you hold hand out from a car window. Meeting up both teams had all their tanks arranged in perfect line ups of what they're bringing to the table, but nothing all too unique. Ooarai always have their full roaster with them and Saunders is all the same tank with the exception of Noami's and George's.
Meeting in the middle Miho got of her tank to an imposing George, and despite his lessons learn throughout his stay he still intends to win, with the three referees, Kanon, Remi, and Hibiki standing between them to mediate.
"We all understand the rules?" Kanon said aloud with the two opposing captains stand unflinching, "Great, now finish with a bow so we can commence the match."
Remembering the heated conversation George had with his sister and Erika, thinking he will just ignore that, but no. Instead, Miho was caught with a pleasant surprise when the young man returned a bow to her all with a warm smile instead of an insulting sneer.
"Hope we have fun," he remarked then stuck out an open hand to her.
Seeing the open palm Miho smiles herself as it seems at least George has greeted their match with kindness so, she takes the hand, and gave it a good shake.
"Yeah, let's have lots of fun during this battle," she answered back with a childish warmth.
Retuning back to her team Miho dropped into her turret with her crew having all their eyes glued on her.
"So, what's the plan our fearless leader?" Saori asked feeling the excitement crawl through her nerves.
"We do have a plan, right?" Mako asked without taking her eyes off the trail ahead of her as she starts up the tank.
"Or maybe we can make it up as we go along," Yukari suggests holding a round at the ready.
"It doesn't really matter," Miho stated, "Because in the end of the day, it's all fun and games when it comes to tankery."
Dropping into the haul of his M8, George picked up the radio hand the moment he heard the static.
"So, George, what's the game plan here?" Kay asked from the other end of the line, "Conventional? Un-orthodox? Legal? Illegal?"
"The sky's the limit," Alisa added excitedly.
"I'm going to go steamroll their asses!" George expressed with sear determination.
"Still as enthusiastic as ever," Naomi noted.
"And we wouldn't have it any other way," Kay concluded.
\Elsewhere/
Somewhere on top of a hill from a safe distance and with a beautiful view of the whole valley teams that lost to the final's contenders, St. Gloriana, Pravda, and Kuromorimine, while the first two gathered on one hill to observe the spectacle together Maho, Erika and along with Shiho opted to watch the game from the stands with the rest of the masses. Sitting on the top of the top row all to themselves the mother and daughter waited patiently for the game to begin seeing the jumbo screen being set up and families going around to find good spots to watch the match.
"Will you actually be rooting for Miho, mother?" Maho wandered aloud.
"Wasn't I already doing with that match with All-Stars?" Shiho noted her help in saving Ooarai academy.
"Yes, but that was because we wouldn't lose the chance to beat them one day," Maho reminded her mother of her original intentions.
"That is one weird family," Erika commented quietly to herself.
Before long the mics of the announcer, and by announcer, I mean Daulton, his voice booming through the horns as the time was near, but have bear with the abrasive tone of the young man.
"Gooood morning people!" he roared through the microphone, "I hope bet you're all on the edge of your seats for this year's finals."
His introduction being met with cries of excitement the other co-announcer informed.
"Before we begin let's check on our two finalist," she added and the screen jumped to a birds eye view from one of the federation's planes.
"You think they'll let me fly one of their birds again if I asked nicely?" Daulton wandered aloud.
"They wouldn't trust you with the keys to the bathroom, let alone a plane, Peter," the co-host told him with contempt, "Here we have the famous Ooarai girl's academy and their captain, Miho Nishizumi, what courageous planes you think she'll come up with this time."
"And on the other corner, he started off bald and a tendency to slash your car tires just for taking the last carton of milk at the supermarket," Daulton stated the continued to inform, "And is wanted in the state of Pennsylvania for punching a police horse in the face."
"You punched a horse in the face?" Naomi repeated.
"It was Philadelphia everybody was doing it," George gave his defense.
"What dastardly schemes does he have cooked up for the Ooarai team?" the co-host asked aloud.
"Alright enough with the introductions, let's get this party started," Daulton told all and was immediately followed by the bang of the starting gun.
X
As soon the bright red flare flew into the air Ooarai blazed through the open field scouting the open roads ahead with the Panzer four kept in a protective wedge with the flag waving through the rushing air.
"So, what's the plan Miho?" Anzu asked eagerly.
"For now, we're looking for good a firing position with a lot of cover that way we can use hit-and-run tactics on Saunder's larger force," Miho explains.
"Hey captain, how about over there?" one of the girls shouted pointing out to a patch of forest area that almost made it look like a little island.
"That looks fine," Miho approved, "Most of us should hide there while we lure them in close. We should be able to at least knock out a few of them."
While the girls were in agreement, but before they were about to set up their ambush a small tank in the distance already spotted them from the distance, Spying the enemy team from his binoculars the young man had mischievous grin crawl across his face.
"Enemy team spotted," George reported through the radio.
"Great, so what's your grand the plan, George?" Kay asked, "... George?"
George didn't respond for a moment the girls only heard silence until they heard the soft hums of George's voice, taking a seat in the gunner's chair George left the channel open for all to hear as he suddenly began to sing.
"And now the end is near"
"And so I face the final curtain"
The Saunders weren't the only one's listing, Ooarai in a moment in of confusion also heard the solo performance on the air.
"Is that... who I think it is?" Yukari noted recognizing the voice.
"He does have a wonderful set of pipes," Anzu took notice and they continued to listen.
Looking off in the distance Miho notice a small flag sticking out from the horizon and when it came over that line Miho recognized it as George's tank and the one, they need to win the match.
"My friend, I'll say it clear"
"I'll state my case, of which I'm certain"
"I've lived a life that's full"
"I traveled each and every highway"
"And more, much more than this"
"I did it my way"
"What a strange boy," Shiho commented.
"For a boy who caused so much turmoil in our games he has a beautiful voice," Miho had to admit.
"But I wonder what diabolical plan he has up his sleeves?" Erika thought aloud thinking if this was some sort of misdirection.
It was no mystery to why George broke into song because like it or not, this match will be his last, and he was going to end it his way, a shell was load before immediately launching it through the air, the projectile ripping across leaving the sound behind as it smashes against the treads of Anzu's tank treads. Crippled the Hertz was stuck pointing towards its attacker all the while George hit the notes of the song. Unafraid.
Caught by surprise to how fast the young man found and was quick to shoot, the girls of bunny, duck, and anteater trying to fire back, only for the charging tank to dance around the lobing shells, as the missed shots made craters on the soft grass, the gun on they fired off the machine guns firing smoky tracers. The bullets exploded upon impact of the girl's armor haul enveloping them in smoke.
"I'm losing sight of the target!" Saemonza shout out in concern as the thick grey plumes shrouded her sights.
"He's just throwing himself at us," Miho said in confusion, but among the chaos she saw the real threat trailing not too far behind, all of Saunders' force was about to come thundering down on them, "They move so quickly," Miho noted in worry, "Everyone! we need to retreat."
"But he's right there, we can finish this right now," Momo exclaimed over the radio.
"Not before we get over run," Miho counter, soon the others were starting to notice the dust cloud rolling towards them, and soon enough a shot came towards them alerting the team, "Take cover in the forest we can lose them in there."
"But Miho!" Saori grabbed her attention wanting her to know she forgotten something.
Looking over her shoulder Miho remembered the state of turtle team's tank unable to either follow or repair their tank, Miho will do the courageous thing to help save her friends, but the moment she tries a round grazes the side of her tank's haul a scolding crater left behind her.
"Miho, just leave us," Anzu tried to tell her firing off a shot a loud bright bang shooting towards the wall of green steel.
"We'll be fine, just go," Yuzu added feeling useless as the Hertz is now just a stationary target.
Watching as the Hertz fire another round this time landing on a single Sherman, but then a shot ripped out from behind the Hertzer flying passed the Mark IV and smashing against the rear of hippo team's tank stopping dead just before the whole tank can enter through the trees. The dark smoke rose up as the Stug III falls silent, looking back Miho spotted the culprit seeing the turret of George's tank poking above the Hertzer, the barrel still steaming, all that tank did was stand there using turtle team as a shield, it would be tempting to fire however the storm of tanks was becoming too heavy forcing her to flee. Anzu and her friends tried to get as many Shermans as they could, but Saunders have learned to not bother as the stirred cleared of their line of fire, helpless all turtle team can do is wait for the enemy team to finish them off. And they did with George taking care of it. Taking refuge among the trees Ooarai prepared to turn around to return fire, but from between the trees the girls saw the Shermans lining up just outside their hiding spot.
"They're right up the front door," Yukari noted feeling her heart drum rapidly already holding up an extra round to load in.
"Are your 30. cals ready?" George asked.
"Ready!" Kay, Naomi, and Alisa shouted out and all the girls pulled the bolt of their guns.
"Time to be lumberjacks, girls. Fire!" he gave the order.
Before Ooarai can fire a single shot Saunders unleased a wall of lead and fire blinding Ooarai as the machinegun rounds bounced of their tanks, but tore apart everything that wasn't made out of steel and iron. The trunk of the trees were obliterated, the bark turning dust flying into the air like mist, soon enough the trees around them began to topple over, one by one the trees fell flat on the ground until Ooarai's cover was disappearing.
"My goodness are you seeing this!" the cohost said in breathless shock of the tactics being deployed.
"It looks to be like a deforestation," Daulton noted, "Mr. Stuart is taking away Ooarai team's hiding spot."
Within the safety of their armored hauls the girls held their ears as the rattling of bullets and timber bouncing off their tanks, all the while Midoriko peeked through the port hole seeing the line of Shermans, and they can defiantly see her.
"Captain your cover is disappearing right before you," Erwin hastily notified as they can see their teammates and if they can the Saunders could see them too.
"Miho, we have to flee," Hana advised.
As the urgency to escape can no longer be ignored Miho looked through the port holes of her hatch trying to scope out a rout through the dust and smoke to her fortune amid the flying tracers Miho spotted the bright glow of the empty town further passed the waving hills. The distance between them and the town was a stretch through an open field, but she's backed to a wall.
"Everyone we're going to be falling back to the town behind us," Miho spoke through the radio, "Get ready to drive down as fast as you can on my mark," after hearing the order the girls turned their tanks away and towards the town, "Ready... GO!"
Right on that mark the girls plowed through what was left racing across the grassy plains leaving deep tread marks behind as they tore up the soil, as Ooarai fled they were observed by Alisa, popping out from her hatch to spy on them through her binoculars.
"What are your orders now, captain?" she asked.
"Half of you chase after them, the rest of you follow me," George ordered driving off in one direction while the others went on as told.
While the battle was unfolding back on the stands Miho's mother and sister watched leaning forward to study the play closer.
"He's persistent at being a constant annoyance," Shiho commented.
"I guess when it comes to a smaller force like Miho's, Mr. Stuart is continuously putting pressure on her. Refusing them any breathing space," Maho analyzed.
Returning the field of battle Miho's team saw that they were closing in on the town where they can hide.
"Are they giving chase?" Miho requested to know but was immediately answered when a shot landed right by them as they drove by being followed by another hail of fire, "Never mind."
"Man, they are on us this time," the girls of duck team uttered as they turned the turret around.
"Serving back!" Noriko remarked sliding the round in.
They gave them a shot the one single ball of fire returning to hit Naomi's Firefly dead center on its sloped frontal plate only to barely scratch the green paint off, but she remains collective as she continues to chew on her gum. Counting the numbers in her head Naomi gave one quick pink bubble before squeezing the trigger, her gun erupts in a loud bang its round just hitting the on the tracks, however the explosion it caused under the small tank threw it over like it was a tin toy. The girls of bunny team narrowly reacted in time to swerve out of the way of the flying tank.
"Duck team! are you alright?" Miho was quick to pick up the radio waiting through a tense moment of silence before hearing a cough on the other side.
"We're ok, just a little bruise nothing new to us," Noriko reported trying to regain her bearings along with her dazed crew, "Looks like we're out of commission, sorry."
"I'm just glad you're all alright," Miho regarded their safety over the game, "You did your best, now just sit back."
Now three of their tanks now out the rest soldiered on without further reached the city streets and disappearing behind the suburban homes.
"We made it," Hana said in brief relief.
"Now what do we do?" Saori asked as the remainder of their team strolled through the streets, "Because plan: A did not go so well."
"It's ok well just have to come up with plan-" BANG!
before the plan's name could be decided on a shot ripped through hitting the Tiger P right between the head and body of the tank startling the Ooarai team as the second team has seemingly gone ahead to stop them from going any further ahead. The Tiger's engine could be heard sputtering and bursting into smoke before the machine died altogether the flag popping out, looking over the steel shoulder of the Tiger the girls saw once again the smoking barrel of the M8.
"It's George!" Yukari exclaimed and before than can do anything else the rest of Saunders caught up firing from both sides.
Getting sandwiched in Miho quickly guided the remaining three tanks down a second street in a hurry.
"We are getting hammered!" Yukari commented on the situation going more south by the second.
As they tried to flee a Sherman could be seen just popping its barrel out from behind a building, fearing that they'll be running into a third team Miho told Hana to turn into the alley way just before them. As the four Ooarai tanks slipped the Sherman popping out was Alisa and she had no team with her instead was just all by herself, reaching down to grab the headset she eagerly reported that she managed to herd the remaining enemy team. For once the girls of Ooarai heard Saunders' gun go silent only for dread and a dead to stop them dead in their tracks, and the teaming sound of treads on all sides didn't make it any better so without order bunny, anteater, and mallard team form a protective wall around Miho waiting to make the Saunders pay for every inch between them. There was a long pause the air feeling still with tension, they knew the Shermans were just by the corner of the building just poking out to poke their guns out all aimed at them, but they did not fire.
"This is bad news for Ooarai," Daulton announced over the mic the audience.
Silence penetrated the air rather than chaotic gun fire. But then...
"Hey Miho!" George's voice roared, "Let's not end this game like this," he pleaded and then he rolled out in plain view of them his top half popping out from the turret of the M8 turning to face them.
"What do you want George?" Miho asked what he demands, "You want me to surrender?"
"Of course not," George disagreed then waved his team members away as it was just him in their sight, then rose a single hand up in the air, "One on one. Let's settle this with a proper duel."
Miho thought on the offer, wondering if it would be better to continue on with this last stand or just risk it with a chance at victory.
"Let's do it Ms. Nishizumi," Hana urged sounding ready and determined to fight George.
"Yeah Miho, let's settle who's the better tank crew," Yukari joined in feeling the blood pumping faster through her veins.
Seeing the determination just etched across their faces Miho made her decision.
"Alright George, I accept your challenge," Miho agreed.
Back at the stand the crowd cheered on for Ooarai to turn their fortunes around and their teammates all gave their words of encouragement, they moved out of the way clearing a path for their leader so they can- BANG!
the moment anglerfish team came into clear view the gun of the M8 blasted the Mark IV knocking the flag tank out, winning Saunders the finals. Everyone fell silent as George shamelessly rose up his second hand that he had hidden showing them crossed fingers laughing.
"I can't you fell for that," George spoke in hilarious disbelief.
"No fair!" the other girls detested.
"Yeah, you cheated!" they added in frustration.
"Show me the rules," George challenged his arms spread and raised.
As the young man and Ooarai bicker Naomi and Kay just watch in embarrassment.
"I can't believe we let him go through with it," Naomi noted.
"Eh, it's his last day let him have his fun," Kay figured.
\Hours Later/
As it reached the afternoon the knocked-out tanks were loaded onto train cars to be hauled back onto their carriers with anglerfish team seeing the aftermath of their major defeat.
"You did your best Miho," Yukari tried to cheer up her friend.
"My best? I could hardly think during that match," Miho mention the troubles.
"Don't beat yourself up over it, it doesn't suit you," Daulton suddenly made his appearance patting Miho on her head, "George only won because he lacks something that you all have."
"Sense of shame?" Saori filled in however Daulton shook his head.
"Tomorrow," Daulton answered, "This is George's last match and after this the federation will be closing that loophole. No Future male players."
"He won't be playing again?" Yukari pushed further.
"The deal was to have him play for this year's games. The games are over," George clarified.
"So where is he now?" Miho asked.
X
Leaving the loading bays Kay, Naomi, and Alisa accompanied George to the bus stop with his bag ready. It was time for him to go home.
"So, this is it," George noted that these were their final moments together.
"It still feels like it was yesterday that we were picking you up," Kay expressed smiling weakly.
"You guys were very good to me. And the family I wished I had," George told him, "Take good care of my tank."
Alisa didn't say word instead run up to hug him tightly.
"I'm gonna miss you," she admits and George hug her back.
Pulling away Alisa stood higher to give George a single kiss to his cheek, Kay then came up to plant one herself, the two then broke off leaving Naomi left to say her goodbye, when they came closer, she presented an envelope to him.
"What's this?" George asked.
"Open it and find out," the girls just said.
Doing just that George's eyes widen at what was contained inside, a cash check.
"This... these are a lot of zeros," he noted, and they nodded in amusement.
"It's the prize money for the finals," Naomi explained, "You earned it."
"I can't take this," he finally started to feel modest, but the girls refused to take it back.
"You're gonna need it to help you start over," Kay gave their reason helping George start a new life for himself once he gets back to the States.
And then Naomi moved in to give George a kiss on his lips, holding it long before gently breaking off to rest their heads against one another to look deep into each other's eyes.
"Just remember your promise... ok?" Naomi reminded him.
"Splitting the ocean," George recalled just when the bus to the airport came to a hissing stop, "... I'll find you."
Stepping onto the bus George took a seat to wave to the three, goodbye, even when the bus was lumbering away, he kept them in his sights until they become little specs in the distance and disappearing completely. He relaxes himself back onto his seat alone once again, but right after all he's been through the sense of loneliness wasn't as heavy as before he came to Saunders, remembering the short time he had spent.
"... Hmph," He simply chuckled the journey he's taken these past weeks, so he looked on out the window, out into the Pacific, "Did it my way."
\Three Months Later/
On the Saunders' carrier the bell of the high school rattling giving the girls a break, as her classmates got up and left Naomi stuffed her books into her bag when she exited the room Kay and Alisa up from behind to surprise her. They continued all the way to the cafeteria sitting down at a table placed next to a window, as Kay and Alisa enjoyed their lunches, they noticed that Naomi hasn't even touch her food yet instead was staring out from the window. They followed her gaze only to find the vast blue space of the sky and sea.
"It's been a while since George left, hasn't it?" Kay recalled.
"About three months," Naomi gave her estimate of the time passed, "And still no world from him."
"It wasn't like he had a phone or a place to stay to begin with," Alisa reminded, "I bet he trying to settle back down somewhere."
"I just hope he hasn't forgotten," Naomi gave her thoughts aloud.
"Naomi?" her teacher called out standing just by her leaving the three curious of what earned them the teacher's attention, but then holds out a sealed envelope, "This for you. I thought you might want to take a look."
The adult hands the envelope over seeing that this one was flown to her.
"Air mail?" Alisa noticed the red, blue, and white stripes along the edges.
"Who's is from?" Kay asked.
"I don't know, I don't recognize the address," Naomi flipped the paper back and forth before breaking the seal she read the first sentence and felt her heart skip a beat, "It's from George."
"Really?" Alisa jumped up running around the table.
"It's about time," Kay joined in hanging above Naomi's shoulders, "What does he say?"
Wanting to listen in on the letter Naomi took a deep breath and clear her throat.
"Hi Naomi. It's me George"
"Sorry you haven't heard from me for a while, but I was busy moving"
"Like Kay said. There wasn't really anything to come back to"
"I moved out to a town on the west coast to start over, no one knows me here"
"And that way I can be closer to you"
"I'm back school now"
"A better one"
"I can't wait to graduate so can go find you"
"And when I do... Let's just say we can live happily ever after"
"I love you"
With that Naomi felt her worries all melt away, the sun seems to glow brighter, and her heart fluttered as George proclaimed his love for her. She couldn't wait to graduate.
