"Hello?... Yeah, it's me, what's up?... no she's... huh?... Oh... I'll go tell her now."


She listened to the sounds around her or the lack of sounds really. A quiet afternoon at her favorite park, sat atop her favorite seat. Old, rusty, and scratched to hell, a decommissioned M60A3 Patton, a tank that was donated to her town and proudly displayed here at Veterans Park. A perfect day to lose herself in the world of imagination. Behind the controls of this tank, she drove wherever she wanted. No force in the world was tough enough to halt her advance. She imagined an enemy, close to its rear, her approach unnoticed, she navigated her tank into the perfect position to...

"CLAIRE!"

"AH!" Claire screamed. Returning to reality Claire saw her sister above her on the turret of the tank, "Jesus, Anna don't sneak up on me like that!"

Above Claire sat a mirror image of herself. At five foot nine the twins stood a little under average height for girls in their area. Her indigo hair sat just over her shoulders and framed her face. With bangs falling just over the left side of her deep blue eyes, they were a complete match. In appearance anyway.

Smirking, Anna shrugged, "Please, you didn't even hear me climb up here. We both know I'm not that quiet so how else was I supposed to get you out of Claire Land?"

"...Fair enough," Claire growled, "Anyway, what do you want? You don't usually come here unless you need something."

"What do you mean?" Anna asked, sounding playfully offended, "Can't I just visit my twin? Who I love with all my heart!"

"..." Claire wasn't buying it

"Fine, Killjoy. mom couldn't get a hold of you.." Anna sounded like she wanted to say more. This worried Claire. Her sister wasn't the type to hesitate.

"Wh-what did she want.." Claire asked, a nervous feeling crept up her back.

With a troubled look on Anna's face, she had her hand under her chin, "Uhh.. that.. Well.. you sure you want to hear?"

"Just spit it out please! You know I hate suspense." Claire barked, leaning back into Anna's legs with a pout. This was not the time for her sister's theatrics

"Alright alright I'll tell you," Anna retrieved her mobile, pulled up a picture, and began to read:

"Dear Parents/ Guardians,

"All too soon summer vacation will end with Cattle Kate High School to begin again a new and exciting school year! As we approach this date, we felt it would be appropriate to inform all parents and guardians of some new opportunities for our students. This year marks the beginning of three new programs and another retired program's return. We are happy to announce that Autoshop, Robotics, and Astronomy are now available courses at the beginning of the school year, August 24th,"

Claire impatiently groaned, "Will you just get to the bad news already! Quit delaying and tell me the important part!"

"I was getting to that," Anna said matter-of-factly, "Also making its grand return to our school is Tankery! Starting monday, September 14th... AH!" Anna yelled as she was hug-tackled onto the top of the turret by her laughing sister.

"Yes!" Claire screamed in absolute joy. Her fear turned to glee. "My biggest dreams are finally coming true!" She looked down at the M60A3 and let out a long Joyful sigh. "I'm finally going to drive one! My very own tank!"

Anna knew Claire would love the news. Seeing her twin like this filled Anna with happiness, "You've heard the good part. Would you like to know something even better?" Anna teased.

"What could possibly be better than this? Anna, I'm going to finally drive a tank!"

"Oh, I don't know. How about the fact I'm joining too? How 'bout it?" Anna asked with a serious look in her eyes.

"Yes! Please join with me!" It had been years since Anna and Claire did a sport together. Claire couldn't wait to start.

"Let's do it! Anyway, mom's cooking steak. How about we go celebrate and tell mom the good news?"

Claire wiped some tears from her eyes, she felt pure joy "Yeah lets go see mom, oh I can't wait to tell Baylee! She's gonna be so…" Laughter turned to fear as Claire fumbled and reached into her bag, retrieving her mobile. She checked the time and notifications. 17:20: 2 missed calls Mom, 1 missed call Dad, 1 missed call Baylee. "Crap," Claire muttered under her breath.

"What is it?" Anna didn't like the look in Claire's eyes. "You look like you've seen a Ghost."

"Oh… Just remembered Baylee and I were supposed to meet at 1700!" And with that Claire took off running.

Anna, knowing the trouble her twin was in, laughed, "So much for dinner with Mom."


17:25: "On my way! I'm so sorry I wasn't watching the time!"

Baylee set her mobile down with a sigh. "That girl, never on time." Baylee let out a laugh "at least I got to watch more Star Trek while waiting."

Claire and Baylee had been friends since they were kids, having met at a "Bring your daughter to work day". Both Claire and Baylee's dads worked at the local mine. Since that day they remained inseparable. Some even called Baylee the real twin. Though Claire didn't appreciate this joke.

In front of her mirror Baylee inspected her appearance. Slightly taller than that airheaded friend of hers, she was pretty even with most their age. Her dark brown hair barely brushed her shoulders, it was longer than normally allowed. But for once she thought she'd let it grow a bit. Finished inspecting she brushed her bangs to frame evenly around her face, quickly cleaned her glasses and was ready to go.

As Baylee grabbed her bag and jacket she thought of tonight's plans and how she'd adjust them to work with a late Claire. Originally they had planned to walk around the new mall for a while, get dinner and watch some old movies at Claire's house. Baylee decided the Mall trip could be a little short and everything should still go fine.

Baylee heard three soft taps on her front door as she was tying her shoes. Satisfied by her knots, she took off toward the door.


While she knocked on the door, Claire thought of the trouble she was in. She did her best to always be on time, especially for Baylee. Claire knew she'd have to do something special to make it up to her best friend. "Maybe I'll suggest we go to Rustlers for dinner. It's her favorite. Or I could buy her something at the mall. Maybe a round of Laser Tag! Baylee loves those games. I could..."

"Earth to Claire." Baylee bonked Claire lightly in the head, "You in there, Soldier?"

"Ah!," Embarrassed, Claire rubbed her head, "Hey Baylee! Sorry I was just thinking."

"No kidding." Baylee laughed, "Wasn't sure I'd see you again, keep thinking that hard and we might just lose you. Anyway better late than never, huh, dork?" Baylee pulled her best friend into a tight hug, "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too! How was Italy?" Baylee had spent the summer with her grandparents in Italy and traveled all over the country.

"Oh, you know. Just like here," Baylee said in a sarcastic voice, "Only a thousand times cooler! Oh, I can't wait to show you the pictures! But we have a plan to stick to! Is the mall still okay with you?"

"Absolutely!" Claire was pumped to see the new shops. "Maybe they'll have some decent stuff!"

"Let's go!"


As Claire laid in bed she reflected on her time with Baylee. Their trip to the mall had been short with little time to explore. However she had bought some new clothes and a Boko Bear so Claire was honestly ecstatic. She laughed, remembering Baylee's face when they saw the bears.

"No! Claire, you have enough already. We don't need to look!" Baylee begged, knowing Claire would take forever deciding which one to get, "Please, let's just…"

It had been too late, as she was already halfway through the bears. Claire had unknowingly spent 20 minutes deciding between two while ignoring Baylee's pleas, and finally bought the one she held now. Dark brown with a broken right leg with his left arm in a sling, stitches across his light brown belly and above his left eye, and some wrapping around the right ear. Claire couldn't be happier.

After the mall, Claire ran with her idea to recommend that they eat at Rustlers. Headed to Baylee's favorite restaurant all had been forgiven. With bellies filled with burgers and fries, the girls had set course for Claire's home.

Baylee usually picked movies they both enjoyed. But as punishment for being late, Baylee picked an old Scifi movie, one with no tanks.

Claire remembered with a smile, trying her best to hate the movie. She really tried! But Baylee knew her all too well and in no time Claire was just hyped as Baylee.

The movie played until 22:30 and the girls spent the next hour and a half talking about everything they could think about. Baylee had many stories to share about her time in Italy and both of them were excited for the new school year.

Claire once again laughed in pure joy as she recalled Baylee's smile when she heard the school would be adding tankery. Baylee was just as excited as Claire had been.

When Claire mentioned Anna would be joining too, the happiness in the room jumped to eleven. "No way! Anna really said she'd join too? That's wonderful Claire! Did you finally tell her how much you missed doing things together?"

"N-no, I still haven't told her" Claire whispered after a pause.

"Ah crap I'm sorry Claire, I didn't mean to kill the fun," Baylee said as she laid a hand on her friend's shoulder "But it's great she's going to join! It'll be just like the old days!"

"Yeah!," Claire said with a grin, "wonder if she'll get Miranda to come too."

"Like Anna would even have to ask her," Baylee said with a wink, "We both know Little Mara will go anywhere Anna goes."

"Don't let Miranda hear you call her that," Claire warned, as she suppressed a laugh. "Pretty sure Anna is the only one allowed to use that name. I really hope we can get a four person tank! We'd be unstoppable!" Claire proclaimed confidently, one fist raised in the air.

"Hell yea!" Baylee cheered. "I hope it's super strong!" She said as she made a shooting motion with her hands.

"I can't wait to drive one Baylee! It's going to be the greatest!"

"Driver huh? I really figured you would want to command. With all your knowledge we'd be in great hands!"

Claire appreciated Baylee's vote of confidence but shook her head, "No way, you know how I get around people. I'm not brave enough and besides-" she lowered her voice to a whisper "I'm not that smart." she added.

"Bullcrap, Claire! I've seen you when we watch matches. You call out strategies before they even begin. And you're so into it all that I think if you tried you'd be every bit as good as the people doing it today. Even that old lady you look up to so much! You'd do great, so if you get a chance. Please try, that's all I ask, please try"

"Okay, fine you butt. I'll try. But I really don't think I have what it takes." Claire didn't think much of herself, even at the best of times. When it came to joining the team, she'd really prefer to just drive and stay in the shadows, "Also, don't call her an old lady. She's one of the best commanders this world has ever seen! She's my hero!"

"Alright, Alright. I won't say it again. But do you have to be so obsessed with her? I mean, really, you have a vid of her playing right there," Baylee pointed to the screen on Claire's desk "Did you leave it on repeat or something?"

Claire blinked in confusion, "No, It should be on the home site." She moved to her desk, noticing an article on the very woman she idolized. "This article is new, I can check it out later though." Claire switched off the screen and moved back to her friend, "Well, whatever happens, let's do our best!" and with that both girls prepared for bed.


As Claire finished reflecting she looked to Baylee, fast asleep as always. As she laid there, Claire wondered how life could possibly get any better. She remembered the article. "I'm not too tired, I could read it now."

With that, she rolled out of bed and sat at her desk. Bringing up her screen she turned down the brightness. "Wouldn't want to wake up Baylee." tapping some icons she brought up the article. Claire immediately felt ill.

"Today we mourn the passing of a true icon,"

"No, please no," Claire whispered. Tears ran down her face and splashed onto the desk. She desperately hoped what she was reading wasn't true. That her hero wasn't gone. But right in front of her eyes held the truth. In bold letters at the top of a long obituary.

"Maho Nishizumi. Dead: Age 87. 1995-2082"

.

.

.

Thank you for reading!

If you enjoyed please leave a review as this is my very first fanfic!

Special thanks to Rose, Comrade Captain Kreuzkopf, American Cossack, Anzu-Senpaii, TheShadowAuthor, Rihnoswirl, and AAHW for beta reading and Editing.