Between The H Stands For Help Me and The Past Defines Who We Are, I have a busy schedule. Also, hella behind on that first thing. Also also, there's a poll up on my profile.

Data File 0012: HMBT-23 'Paladin' Tank and the HHT-25 'Barbarian' Tank

Created a decade before the Middle Eastern War, Paladin and Barbarian tanks were Hammond's answer to the void of a tank roll in their military. While it may have been cheaper to just build better armor and tack it on a pre-existing tank from America, Russia, or Germany, Hammond figured it would build its own. The HMBT-23 Paladin (Hammond Mainline Battle Tank, model 23) tank was made in the shape of an Abrams, but had better engine power than the Abrams and the Russian counterpart, the T-90. The armor was stronger than both tanks, and went faster than both. The main weapon(s) were the dual mounted 210mm cannons, firing APHE, HEAT, and the ever famous APFSDS (similar to Sabot rounds). The secondary weapon was a Spitfire LMG on top of the turret, and a dual-barrelled one near the left side near the bottom of the chassis. The HHT-25 (Hammond Heavy Tank, model 25) Barbarian is one of the few heavy tank models still in service in a military, maybe the only model, in the world. Created shortly before the Middle Eastern War, the Barbarian is the Paladin tank on steroids. Armed with either a dual 250mm cannon set or a single Trebuchet, these tanks are a force to be reckoned with. The tank is a larger Paladin tank, with more armor and slower speeds. The tank also comes with twelve Surface to Air missiles, launched from a launcher on the top of the tank turret. The tank's tertiary weapons are the 50 caliber machine guns. A double-barrelled 50 cal on the turret and a ball turret on the front of the tank. The tank fires the same shells as the Paladin, but the APFSDS (designated Shell Type-90) is capable of destroying an IS. While this might be overpowered, the cost of producing these shells is high, and the cost of a Barbarian tank far outweighs the cost of a Titan. These two Anti-IS methods/models still compete, but when the IS pilots of the world turn their guns towards Hammond, the end of the IS era will be at hand...

Somewhere in Sector Serbia, Hammond Republic

"Commissar, this is rather unwise."

"Oh, I am well aware of that. But I do not question the Supreme Commander's orders."

"Commissar, these models are only to be used as a last resort, like if Hammond is invaded, or if the world is under attack and we are the last bastion! Not some experiment!"

"I do not question my leader's orders, and neither shall you. Of course, it is a favor to repay our 'friends' for helping us."

"Commissar, they are not friends, no one in this world is our friend. We have pissed off everyone, and they tolerate us because we have the oil and manufacturing to keep our GDP up with the Big Three. But this...this will be what breaks the camel's back."

The Commissar sighed. "I am aware, but we already knew we were playing a dangerous game when we started playing both sides, the line between enemies and friends of our country have become very blurred. But I assume, the showcasing of these new models will certainly keep the blasted UN quiet. After all…"

The Commissar and his aid turned to the towering mechs, painted in black camo, their one visual system looking around the room, scanning for hostiles. One their right arm, replacing the hand, was a M134 minigun.

"We do as we please anyway. But now, the Age of Monarchs shall return to the world once more."

"...As you wish, Commissar Fauzer."

Classroom 1-1, ISA

It had been three days since the fight. Cecilia's IS was more or less put back together, Ichika's IS had arrived, but Gio hadn't seen it yet, and Gio was fully recovered. However, now that he was fully recovered, Gio could focus on other things. Like what he was doing right now.

Gio paced around the classroom, his mind currently far off. The rest of the students in the class watched him with worry. They all had seen the fight, and were very cognizant of Gio's power, and they all had seen the stats of Gio's IS, and were keeping away from him. It was unknown when he would lash out at someone. Of course, Gio was pacing for different reasons than one may think.

'Why did the Sarashiki make me feel calm? Last time I was face to face with one of their clan, I was fighting for my life.' Gio thought. 'It doesn't make sense.'

"Uh..Gio?"

Gio turned to the sound of where the noise was. "Yeah?"

It was Houki had spoken. "Could you stop pacing? You're kinda..well…"

Gio's face scrunched up slightly, wondering what she was talking about. It was when he smelled something burning, and looked down, seeing he was leaving burn marks where ever he stepped, he realized what she was talking about. "It seems I am literally pacing a hole into the floor."

"Yeah.."

Gio sighed, waving it off. "Not to worry, I'll handle it-"

It was at this moment Chifuyu walked in. "Good morning-"

"Houki did it."

"WHAT?!" The girl shouted.

"Inferno, you're still standing in the burnt path. It's kinda hard to imagine Houki did it." Chifuyu stated flatly.

"...You make an excellent point, Ms. Orimura." Gio deadpanned, going back to his seat.

"Now with that taken care of, I have an announcement to make to all of you." Chifuyu started. "While I know this may come as a shocker to you all, since we just had a fight, the Class Representative tournament is coming up soon. And while he never fought Orimura, Inferno has been elected our representative."

Gio slammed his hands on his desk. "WHAT!?"

"Do you have something to add?" Chifuyu asked.

"No, but Cecilia does that a lot, so I wanted to so what would happen."

"Hey!" Cecilia shouted, slamming her hands on her desk. "I do not!"

"...Moving on. With this, Inferno will be fighting the other class reps, regardless if they have an personal IS or not."

The class broke into whispers. Within the entire first year, only Gio, Ichika, and Cecilia had personal ISs. Gio with Firestorm, Cecilia with Blue Tears, and Ichika with Byakushiki, which had arrived the day before. Most of the class had seen the fight, no one, thankfully(?) recorded it, and none of the other classes were any the wiser to Gio's power. So this entire tournament could be a cinch for Gio.

"Wait, since Gio is the only class rep with a personal IS, isn't this unfair?" Someone in the back asked.

Before Chifuyu could answer, someone appeared in the classroom doorway, and answered for her. "That information is outdated!"

The person who had answered was a short girl of chinese ascent, and had her hair in twintails. Gio's TCC, with its facial scanning, recognized her as-

"Rin?" Ichika asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm studying IS, duh!" She responded. Gio tilted his head quizzically, wondering if she was truly a threat. "And you." She said, turning to Gio. "You must be the Hammond pilot."

Gio looked around the classroom. "You talking to me, shortstack?"

"Yes! And don't call me that!" Rin responded angrily. "I can't wait to see what you can do. Fortunately for you, I get to face Ichika in the class rep tour-"

"Orimura isn't the class rep." Chifuyu said, cutting her off.

"WHAT!?" She shouted. "Ichika should have easily been class rep!"

"There was a three way contest, Alcott fought Inferno-"

"That's his last name." Rin muttered.

"-and she lost. Orimura declined to fight Inferno, so Inferno was made class rep." Chifuyu finished. "So that's why Orimura isn't class rep."

Gio turned back to Rin. "You were saying?"

Rin scowled, but before she could respond, she was hit by the Chifuyu Clipboard(Trademarked). "Rin, while I enjoy the company, I have to ask you to go back to your class." Chifuyu said. "You can do this later."

"And if I don't want to?" She asked, testing the instructor.

Her answer wasn't from Chifuyu, but from Gio, who had partially deployed his IS. His left arm was deployed, and the 40mm cannon barrel was pointed at Rin. "Then you're going back to your class the expressway." Gio stated, but while the threat was real, he was smiling as if it were a joke. "I don't take too kindly to your country after the Middle East."

Rin backed away slowly, not exactly afraid of the threat, but worried that Gio would discharge the cannon instead. She nodded, and left the room. Gio dispelled his partial deployment, snickering at the reaction he got out of Rin. "Priceless, I'm two for two on scaring representative contenders."

"I don't think that's a record you should keep, Inferno." Chifuyu said, but was smirking nonetheless. "Now, our class is going to do field exercises today. So those with personal ISs will be demonstrating their machines. Now, get moving everyone!"

With that, Gio and Ichika shot out of the classroom like bats outta hell.

Outside on the training field

"Inferno, why are you in your IS already?" Chifuyu asked.

When the rest of the class had arrived outside, they had found Gio and Ichika waiting. Gio had taken this time to deploy his IS, Firestorm, and was charging his Trebuchet railgun the entire time since.

"It's hot out here, and my IS has AC." Gio responded.

"...Well alright then. Since Inferno has volunteered to demonstrate IS maneuvers, I don't need anyone else. Orimura, standby for further instructions."

"Yes, Ms. Orimura!" Ichika said. Gio shrugged, nonplussed at the jab at him.

"Inferno, I want you to go straight up into the air, and dive back down. But before you hit the ground, Orimura here will try and intercept you."

"HUH!?" the two males asked.

"From there, Inferno must work to try and stop himself before he hits the ground." Chifuyu finished. The whole class nodded, as if they understood. Gio sighed, and heated his jets up. He proceeded to flash Ichika a smile, and blasted off the ground and into the air. He rose at an astonishing rate, his jets forcing him well above the academy. Around 45,000 feet, he stopped his climb, and hovered. He waited, looking at the view he had. It was stunning, he could see the whole ISA, and the nearby city. The ocean near the academy spread for miles, but since the Earth is round, it looked infinite. Gio nodded, cut his jets off, and let gravity do the rest of the work.

Ichika had been waiting for Gio to come back down for a while, so it was quite surprise when he saw an inferno falling out of the sky. Literally, Gio Inferno was falling from the sky in a blaze of glory. And fire, that too. Ichika's eyes widened, and he readied his sword. He only had one shot to intercept Gio, and he wasn't going to let Chifuyu down. His plan was simple, swing at Gio right when he passed him. It was foolproof!

Except Gio was speeding at terminal velocity, his face exuding confidence in his abilities. He put his fists up to protect his face, and right when he reached Ichika at around 5,000 feet in the sky and falling like a meteor, he punched Ichika in the face.

"Reverse Uppercut!" Gio shouted, punching Ichika down back towards the Earth. Ichika reached the ground faster than Gio did, but Gio landed some ways from him.

To those on the ground, they saw Ichika go up, wait a few seconds, ready his sword, then get the hell knocked out of him by a meteor shouting "Reverse Uppercut!", and the two landing back on the track field in huge towers of dust. Ichika was on the left of the group, Gio was on the right, but both were in craters.

"That...hurt." Ichika struggled to get out.

"Awesome…" Gio mumbled, struggling to get up. "Can I do it again?"

Chifuyu walked over to Ichika, and looked down at the crater he was in. "Ichika, I don't think I can even understand what you were thinking."

Ichika dismissed his IS, sitting up. "I thought if I…"

Before Ichika could say another word, Cecilia jumped in the crater to help Ichika. "Ichika dear, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine-Wait, Ichika dear?!" The boy shouted, puzzled at why Cecilia would call him that.

Gio was still trying to get out of his crater, but with no luck. "Can I get a hand here? Anybody? Hello? Other male IS user still in crater here?"

Cecilia was still fawning over Ichika, with Houki trying to get her to go away. So Gio went largely ignored, much to his dismay.

Eventually Ichika was pulled from the crater, and carried to the infirmary. It was only then did Houki realize that the class was still missing a pilot. "Where's the Hammond pilot?"

"The Hammond pilot has a name!" Gio shouted. "But to answer your question, I'm in the other crater!"

Houki wasted no time getting down to the crater's bottom, finding Gio laying face up, and not moving. "What happened?" Houki asked the pilot.

"Well, my IS locked up as soon as it realized I was going to crash, so my suit delayed the locking till I was face up, but then I locked up immediately."

"And that means?"

"I can't move my body." Gio deadpanned. "I would appreciate it if you could reach down to my right wrist and find my tacpad on it."

Houki searched, and found, the tacpad, and tried to move it towards Gio, but the entire arm was locked. "Houki, can you find the settings button?" Houki found it. "Good, now look for 'IS' and press it." Houki did as told. "Alright, now look for the button that says: 'release lock'. That should do it." Houki pressed the button, and the IS was put back into its pocket dimension. "Thanks Houki, I owe you one."

Houki nodded. "Anytime."

"Well, since you are here. I do need help with something else."

Houki's eyes narrowed, what was he going to try?

"Since Ichika is, unfortunately, going to be busy with the blonde one, I need someone to spot me tomorrow." Gio explained. "Think you could fill in for him?"

Houki un-narrowed her eyes, a feeling of relief washing over her. She thought he might ask her on a date! But spotting him? That was easy, no biggie. "I can do that. What time?"

"Around 0530."

"O-okay then. Why so early?"

Gio shrugged. "I spent time in the military, remember? This is normal for me."

Houki sighed. At least she could probably figure out some things about Ichika from him, since he and Gio were roommates. What could go wrong?

That night, Gio and Ichika's Dorm Room

Gio was hanging in the dorm room, typing on his computer. His superiors demanded a report from today, since Gio had come in contact with Ichika and his IS. His report stated what the blue haired boy's IS was, its power and abilities, and the weapon of choice. Multiple pictures were put in to add to the report, and a picture of Ichika was provided as well. He finished up the report with a side note that he had made contact with the younger Shinonono sister, and that was all. He yawned, encrypted the report, and sent it to the higher ups. He closed his laptop, and as soon as he did, the dorm room opened, and Ichika walked in.

"Ichika, where have you been?" Gio asked his roommate. "It's like…" Gio tried to guess. "...really late?"

Ichika sighed. "Sorry, Cecilia wanted me to do a hundred things with her."

Gio tilted his head. "Why is that?"

"I think, since I saved her from your second IS form, she's forgiven me. By the way, you weren't at the party."

"What party?"

"The class threw a party for you, since you became the new Class Rep." Ichika explained.

"But I wasn't told about a party." Gio stated. "I've been here the entire time, not doing anything."

"Well, you missed out." Ichika said, and went to get ready for bed. "By the way, I can't spot you tomorrow, Cecilia wants me to help her with something."

Gio rolled his eyes. "I got it. I already found a replacement for you."

"Alright, who is it?"

"I got Houki to do it. Now I owe her twice."

"What was the first time?"

"When you all left me in the crater." Gio deadpanned. "Thanks for that."

Ichika rubbed the back of his head and tried to not look Gio in the eye. Gio sighed, and flopped onto his bed, mumbling "Goodnight" to Ichika, and fell asleep.

The Next Day, Arena Six

Houki was currently in a borrowed Uchigane, wondering what she had done in her previous life to warrant this. What evil did she bring unto this world that made the universe go 'Yeah, this should be close enough of a punishment'.

What was her current predicament? Gio Inferno was currently lifting her up and down in his IS. More accurately, she was lying on top of an M1 Abrams tank, while Gio lifted them up and down. It was absurd, but she was there as a watcher. As in, she would fly off if the combined weight was too much.

"Hey Houki?" Gio called from below.

"Hmm?"

"I'm really sorry about this."

Houki sighed, but smirked nonetheless when she lied on her stomach and boosted down on Gio, applying more weight for him to lift.

"Hey! I don't wanna die today!" Gio shouted. Houki laughed, but flew off anyway, as Gio threw the tank to another part of the arena. Houki stared in awe, but Gio shrugged. "It's nothing really, just an outdated tank."

"But that tank was never replaced until 2022, even some being converted to having a railgun to fight IS mechs, and you say 'it's nothing really'?!"

"The Paladin tank is better. Fight me." Gio responded. "Dual 210mm cannons, what's better than that?"

"Fair point, but is it good against IS?"

Gio scratched his head. "Only with the APFSDS, then it's almost one-shot-one-kill."

Houki sighed in defeat. "Can't argue with that. I've seen that firsthand, and I believe the French military still is upset at the Hammond Military for trashing their ISs in a wargame exercise."

"Yes, but it's more of a joke between us two militaries now. By the way, you don't suppose we might get a new student soon?" Gio asked.

"It's a possibility." Houki shrugged. "But it's rare that a new pilot would be put into the school this late in the year."

"Hey, you never know. I got five bucks that says we got a new student."

"I'll take that bet."

The two started walking back to the lockers when Houki decided to ask Gio something. "Hey Gio, I know this might be a little bit of a privacy invasion, but-"

'Houki, I have no idea what or who Ichika is into. I can only help you so far." Gio responded. "My best guess is that he either isn't into girls, or doesn't want to date you and sees you as a friend. However, I can tell you that he isn't looking to date Cecilia."

Houki sighed. "Well, I guess I better keep trying!"

"Yeah-wait what?!"

"Is something wrong?"

Gio could only sigh. "Nevermind, I got other things to focus on right now."

Houki tilted her head, then realized the Class Rep Tournament was today, and Gio was rumored to be the first fight. "You're nervous, aren't you?"

Gio nodded. "I don't want Canto 34 to come out again. If that happens, the whole school is in danger."

"I'm pretty sure Chifuyu could take you."

"Possible, but you do know there is still two other, more powerful, forms in my IS, right?"

Houki paled, the IS/Titan hybrid still had two locked forms, possibly more powerful than the Brunhilde. What would the school do if they came out?

"I wouldn't worry about it too much, those forms are on forced lockdown. I can only have them unlocked under Hammond supervision. I can get as pissed off at the world as I can, but they won't come forth." Gio explained. "So I think we're okay."

"But wouldn't this training be counter-productive in helping you? The fight's in three hours, you know."

Gio scoffed. "The Representative Contender's IS won't do a dent against me. Just like Cecilia's and Ichika's IS, I am unstoppable."

"Really?"

Gio shrugged. "Probably, I don't know what she pilots."

Houki stood there, processing the information. Then, it dawned on her. "You don't know, do you?"

"I am most likely very screwed."

Hangar, 2 hours and 55 minutes later

"Gio, are you aware of what you are up against?" Ichika asked. "Rin won't go down without a fight, you know."

"Then I'll beat the fight out of her." Gio responded, already in his Firestorm.

"No Gio, I mean she's really stubborn."

Gio blinked. "I don't see your point, Ichika. What's with the filler lines?"

"The what?"

"Nevermind, I got this. But, if you ask nicely, I won't totally obliterate her."

"You know what? Go crazy." Ichika sighed. "Just don't lose, please?"

"Oh no, my plans for this match just went out the window." Gio responded sarcastically. "But yeah, I hear ya. We won't live this down as a class if we lose the first match. And I won't live it down if I lose to a Chinese IS."

Ichika nodded, and walked to his seat. Houki walked up to Gio next. "You better not lose out there, the class would hate you forever if you did."

"If that somehow happens, tell them to take a number. I got enough people back home who want me to step down from my position. Now, you might wanna back up, the jet wash is terrible on this thing."

Houki nodded, and backed away. Gio turned to the outside exit of the hangar, and powered his engines on. The IS came alive, screens giving Gio the necessary information on his IS. He nodded, raised his hand to signal he was lifting off, and shot out of the hangar.

Arena, a little earlier…

Rin stared at the opposite hangar, waiting for her opponent. While she was slightly pissed at the thought that she wasn't facing Ichika, she would happily destroy the Hammond pilot. Beating a Hammond pilot would do wonders for her, as it would for anyone who beat a Hammond IS, especially the Hybrid models. However, she was confident in her abilities, and her IS. Besides, what would a regular Hammond IS be against her?

Her ears suddenly caught he slight sound of jets warming up. She readied herself, her scimitars at the ready. The noise became louder, and the Hammond pilot took to the arena air, stopping a ways from Rin.

"So, you came? I honestly thought you would back down." Rin said haughtily. "I guess not everyone in Hammond is afraid of China."

Gio grimaced. "Are all you Rep Contenders the same? Just ripping on Hammond like it's some silly game to you?"

"Well, they did lose the Middle Eastern War."

"We did?" Gio put his finger on his chin. "How did we lose if we made every single military vehicle in the world seem so obsolete to us? If I remember correctly, nothing the Big Three had could do much against us."

"So what? You still backed down. I'm surprised you aren't surrendering to me right here and now."

Gio scowled. "What lies does your country feed you? The Hammond Republic pulled out of the Middle East at your country's, and others, urging."

"But-"

Gio cocked his 40mm cannon. "Enough. This won't be settled with argument, so how about we make a deal?"

"Alright, I'm listening."

"If I win, you will admit that the Big Three didn't directly engage Hammond for fear of losing, and that China's tank models are inferior to Hammond's."

Rin scowled at that, but nodded. "But if you win, you'll step down from your position and admit that Hammond was afraid of China."

Gio nodded. "Deal."

The countdown began, and on "Go" the two IS pilots flew towards each other. Gio firing his 40mm and Rin with deflecting the shots with her Scimitars. They clashed, Gio blocking Rin's weapons with his right arm. He smirked, and aimed his 40mm at Rin's legs, forcing her away, but with minor damage.

"I will beat you!" Rin shouted, slamming her scimitars together to make a double-sided scimitar. She spun it, and flew back at Gio. Gio thrusted his right hand forward, and deployed a fire shield. Rin hit the shield, bouncing off of it. Gio then raised his 40mm, and fired, hiding behind the shield. Rin dodged most of the shots, but some landed on her. Her shield, which capped at 800, was now down at 690, while Gio's shield was still at 21990. His regen shield had been turned off, just to even the fight out a little bit. Rin snarled, charged Gio, and slammed the scimitar into the fire shield. It didn't bounce, but she pressed harder, unaware of the shield doing damage to her. Her Impact Cannons turned and faced Gio, and fired. The shots hit, pushing Gio back. His shield was not at 21550, and he took not that the shot cost him over 400 points.

'Gotta be careful around that thing, cause right now I am leaving with some scratches.' Gio thought.

"Why is he so powerful? It's just a regular IS, right?" Rin wondered aloud. "You're piloting a regular Hammond IS! How are you winning?"

Gio looked up. "Where the hell did you hear that?"

"My government, they told me-"

"Lies."

Rin reeled back from the comment. "What?"

"Lies, as usual with your country."

"But...I was trained to fight you, you and the IS. It was stated as a regular-"

"And you believed it?"

Rin stopped talking, unsure of what to say.

Gio took a step forward. "I won't judge you on believing your government, cause that would be hypocritical. But your government was wrong. You prepared for a regular IS, but I assure you this, Hammond does not have 'regular' ISs."

"T-then what do you have?"

"My poor girl, we only have hybrids." And with that, the Trebuchet aimed towards Rin, and was a split second from firing.

Fortunately, and unfortunately, for Rin, Gio aimed away. "Rin, move!" He shouted.

Rin suddenly sensed an incoming projectile, and dodged. In her place, multiple unidentified objects landed in her place. A smoke screen was thrown up, covering that side of the arena. Rin looked back to give the person a piece of her mind when she froze up.

In the control room, Chifuyu was trying to figure out what had happened. "I need a status report, what is going on down there?"

One of the students in the room turned to Chifuyu. "Ma'am, cameras report visual on Anti-IS weapons."

Chifuyu scowled. "Get me a visual."

"On screen now."

Chifuyu looked up at the screen, and her eyes went wide.

"Get those pilots out of there!" She shouted.

Arena floor

Rin was frozen in shock. She had heard reports from experienced pilots about these things. She heard the gruesome details, the fights these things put up against ISs. The armor, the regenerating shield, the weapons, all of it. Rin said her country wasn't afraid of Hammond, but she knew that her country, if not the world, was afraid of what Hammond produced. If these things were here, then the world was at stake. No other country had access to them, any who tried had been captured and put to death immediately, and their lives erased from the world. Her weapon shook in her hand, her eyes wide with fear. She hoped to God that this wasn't real.

Standing in front of her and Gio, was the Monarch class Titan mech.

"Hey Rin?" Gio asked.

"..Y-yeah?"

"I don't think those are Hammond's."

For all those waiting for THSFHM, please be patient.

Also, poll is on my page.

See ya next month for this story.