Chapter 5: Girls und Panzers

Location: Saunders School Ship, Conference Room

Time: Aug 25. 1845 HRS

"What did you just say?!" Asparagus jumped out of her chair, her lips almost forming a snarl. "Kay-san, can you repeat that?"

Saunders's blonde-haired commander tilted her head quizzically, confused at the sudden outburst of BC Freedom's overall tank commander.

"Uh, I said the Filipino delegates that will supervise the transfer of Ooarai's ship is from Maharlika Girls Academy."

"Sacre bleu!" Asparagus spat out, shocking the other tank commanders gathered inside the meeting room.

It just so happened that multiple school-ships have their navigational routes all converge into one specific location of only a few nautical miles. As such, Kay decided to have an impromptu meetup with tankathlon tankers from other nearby schools. As stated in the order forms of visitations, the official reason was to hold a conference regarding the future of Tankathlon. In reality, Saunders' Senshado club's blonde-haired commander was bored and wanted to host a party.

Hence, a conglomeration of students from different schools wearing different uniforms.

"Asparagus-san, is everything alright?" Kay asked, her voice sounding concerned. She had just informed the gathered tankathlon tankers of the call she received from Ooarai's Student Council President of the plan to close their school this midnight.

"Maharlika," the BC Freedom growled the word. "They're… They're the ones who scrapped our old school-carrier!"

Murmurs and collective gasps erupted out from the gathered tankathlon tankers.

"Wait, it was them?" Another girl from BC Freedom with flowing golden hair stood up. "Asparagus-sama, are you sure?"

Asparagus turned her attention to her second in command. "Oui, Marie, c'est eux."

The golden-haired vice commander placed a hand in her chest, her expression torn between anger and sadness.

"It's them," the BC Freedom commander reiterated in Japanese. "The Girls Academy of Maharlika took our school-ship while the Boys Academy took yours."

Marie pursed her lips. "I was in the hospital when they took our school-ship away. I never got the chance to see the ship again."

"It's them alright," Asparagus repeated a third time, clenching her teeth to control her rage. "We almost staged a revolt, but we were discovered at the last minute."

The BC Freedom commander then strode towards the blonde-haired commander.

"Kay-san!" Asparagus began. "I'm in. Allow me to join you in helping out Ooarai save their school-ship."

"Are you sure?" Kay furrowed her brows. "I mean, Anzu-chan only asked for Saunders' help. I would be imposing too much if I also ask for your-"

"It doesn't matter," the BC Freedom commander insisted. "My honor compels me to avenge the disbandment of Freedom High's school-ship!"

Asparagus grabbed Kay's hands, almost yanking her in the process.

"Kay-san, I beg you," the BC Freedom commander stared into the Saunders commander's eyes. "Allow me to join in your rescue operation! Allow me to go save Ooarai!"

Kay peered into Asparagus' sapphire-blue eyes and saw nothing but flames fueled by rage. For the next couple of seconds, they didn't speak. For the next couple of seconds more, they didn't dare break the silence. The tension inside the room had suddenly become suffocating.

Then the blonde commander's lips parted into a wide smile.

"Fantastic!" Kay exclaimed as she raised her hand for a salute. "Ok, Asparagus-san, I'll let you lead the expeditionary force."

The BC Freedom commander moved a step back and saluted in return. "Thank you, Commander Kay."

Kay turned her attention to the other gathered tankathlon tankers.

"In thirty minutes, we shall leave on a transport plane for Ooarai carrying supplies for the resistance fighters," she revealed. "The plane can also carry five light tanks like the M22 Locust if anyone else is interested."

Kay paused as she glanced at each gathered tanker inside the room.

"So who's going to join Asparagus-san in retaking Ooarai's school-ship?"

"I will, ma'am!" a girl wearing a Saunders tank jacket and helmet stood up. Her two other crew members also followed suit. "I, Helm, and my crew will represent Saunders in this operation."

Kay nodded with satisfaction. "Just remember, Helm-chan, you are volunteers and not officially endorsed by our school."

"Yes, ma'am!" Helm saluted. "We are the Flying Tankers, unendorsed volunteers from Saunders."

"In the name of the Great Duce, I, Amaretto, shall represent Anzio unofficially as the Carbonara Carabinieri Volunteers!" A tanker with light-brown hair tied into a wild ponytail stood up. Like all students of Anzio, she wore a white blouse uniform, with matching blue skirts, and an accompanying beret.

Another Anzio student sitting beside her also stood up. She had long black silky hair with bangs trimmed to resemble a hime-cut. She also wore large round glasses, which made her look more refined compared to her partner's wild look.

"Awesome, Amaretto-chan," Kay smiled. "I'm sure Anzai will be proud."

"Si, signora!" Amaretto replied. "We serve at the behest of Duce Anchovy, and we know she will never allow a rival's school-ship to be turned into pasta!"

"Um," a girl wearing a crimson uniform of St. Gloriana raised her hand. She had shoulder-length mocha-brown hair, which she elegantly tied into a crown braid from behind. Like Amaretto's companion, she also sported large round glasses, which gave her a timid yet bookish expression. "I, Nilgiri, and my crew shall unofficially represent St. Gloriana as the Tea Raiders."

"I heard a lot of great things about you from Darjeeling-san," Kay complimented. "Is it true she has recently inducted you as a Tea Knight?"

Nilgiri seemed to shrink at the sudden mention of her induction. She made quick side glances, but the other tankers seemed not to care or understand what Kay said.

"Y-Yes, Commander K-Kay," Nilgiri stammered. "That is c-correct."

"Hey, what's a Tea Knight?" Amaretto raised her hand.

"It's uh," the glasses-wearing commander paused as she struggled to find the right words to say. "It's an elite group of tankers within St. Gloriana."

"Woah, cool!" Helm exclaimed. "An actual knight is with us!"

Nilgiri chuckled nervously.

"No, no, it's not that grand of a deal or anything." She downplayed. "You just do a good job in Senshado, and you are given an elegant tea name."

"In any case, I am honored to fight alongside a Tea Knight," Asparagus crossed her hands as she gave Nilgiri a respectful nod.

Nilgiri's face turned red at the sudden attention. She slowly sat back to her seat with her head low to cover her embarrassment.

"And that makes four of you," Kay stretched out her arms, showing two fingers for each hand. "Now, we just need one mo-."

A girl with short black hair wrapped in an overly large ribbon slammed her hand on the table, startling everyone inside.

"I'm in!" the girl shouted, her lips parting into a huge grin. "But I will not fight as a representative of my school. I fight for myself!"

"Shizuka-san, would you not like to bring honor to your school even if it's in an unofficial capacity?" Asparagus asked.

"The honor you bring is wasted on your school, for they will never recognize it." The girl named Shizuka shook her head. "What we are about to commit is treason. In this fight, we are warriors without Lords. We are Ronins, who could only bring honor to ourselves."

This started a conversation with the gathered volunteers, earning nods from one side and shaking heads on the other.

"They took my school-ship," Asparagus started. "I must rectify such insults at my school."

"Is it now?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow. "Or are you doing it to satiate your own need for vengeance?"

To this, the BC Freedom commander didn't respond.

"In any case," Shizuka continued. "No matter what reasons we have for volunteering, we do so by our own volition. If we fail, we will be shunned as outcasts and criminals. Are you all still willing to go?"

"Yes!" every volunteer answered. There was no hesitation in giving their replies. Everyone had already resolved to see this operation to the end.

Shizuka grinned. "Excellent. Now, there is only one last thing left to settle."

Location: Ooarai School Ship, Upper Deck

Time: Aug 26. 0001 HRS

"We still haven't decided a name for our Ronin band." Shizuka Tsuruki muttered to herself.

When they emerged from their shipping containers, they immediately found themselves inside an abandoned warehouse. It was dilapidated with numerous holes pockmarking the rusting roof above. The shambling building still had electricity, but everything else was in ruin.

Still, it made a perfect place for their base of operations as well as a place to hide their tank. After her partner Rin drove their Type 97 Te-Ke tankette out of their container, the other volunteer force members followed suit.

From Helm's container drove out an M22 Locust, a tankette initially conceived by the US Army to be light enough for it to be carried on a glider. Shizuka saw Helm peeking out of the commander's cupola, giving her driver orders to where to park their tankette.

For the unofficial volunteers of Anzio, they brought a CV33, the smallest tankette in their force. Amaretto was not inside the light tankette when it drove out of its container. The glasses-wearing driver, which Shizuka found out, was named Rabiola, brought the tankette to an open corner of the abandoned warehouse.

Exiting out of another shipping container, the Tea Knight from St. Gloriana commandeered her A17 Light Tank Tetrarch out of the container, driving it to the opposite corner from Amaretto's CV33.

The last to exit from their container was the unofficial volunteers of BC Freedom. Asparagus stood outside of the container's entrance, guiding their Renault AMR-35 light tank as it exited.

"Rin," Shizuka turned towards her driver, Rin Matsukaze, who was busy performing maintenance procedures on their Te-Ke. "Do you know why we still have an extra shipping container?"

She pointed at one more unopened shipping container. A group of Ooarai's Naval Studies Department students seemed to be trying to open the container with cutting tools.

"I think Kay-san mentioned they are supplies for Ooarai's resistance group or something." Rin offered. "Maybe it contains more crates like the ones on our own. Who knows?"

Shizuka nodded. Then she put a hand on her mouth and whistled.

"Fellow Ronins, please gather around," she shouted. "I have something important to discuss."

The Nava Studies students exchanged glances and promptly resumed when the ribbon girl didn't pay any attention to their work.

Asparagus, Amaretto, Nilgiri, Helm, and their respective crews all complied and started gathering around Shizuka.

"I always find your ribbon to be too big, Signora Shizuka," Amaretto said, completely out of the blue.

Shizuka frowned. "Is that so?"

"Si," Amaretto confirmed. "It seems kind of out of place with your strong personality."

"What are you talking about, Amaretto-san?" Rin asked in a low, almost in a threatening voice. She crossed her arms and stood right next to her commander.

"I mean, Duce Anchovy also has a strong personality, and she completes her persona by dressing in full military fatigues." Amaretto explained. "No offense, Signora Shizuka, but the giant ribbon makes you even cuter when you're trying to be scary."

"I see," Shizuka slowly nodded as if understanding the logic behind the Anzio commander's argument. "Then I suppose I should wear a menpo mask worn by the Samurais of old. It would surely strike fear on the ene-"

"No!" Rin snarled. She jumped out from the Te-Ke and quickly dashed towards Shizuka, grabbing her tightly on her shoulders.

"Hime-chan, look at me," Rin glared at her partner, panting. "There's nothing wrong with your outfit. Your ribbon is fine, and you don't need to change it."

"But a menpo mask would-"

"No." Rin held firm. "Do you understand?"

Shizuka looked away from her partner's intense stare, shoulders slumped with disappointment. "Alright. As you say."

"Good!" Rin beamed a smile.

Then, her expression changed when she turned her attention toward Amaretto. She glared daggers at the Anzio commander as well as hissing at her.

Unsure of how to react to the Te-Ke driver's sudden hostility, Amaretto held up her hands and took a step back.

"So what is this meeting all about, Shizuka-san?" Asparagus asked, moving the topic back on track.

Shizuka's face lit up. In an instant, her expression turned from disappointment to one full of confidence.

"As I was saying," she began. "We still have not decided the name for our group."

This got a collective sigh from the gathered tankers.

"Madam Shizuka," Helm said, sounding exasperated. "We've been through this, and we cannot seem to agree on a name."

During their flight, the volunteer tankers struggled to decide a name for their group. Since they all came from different tankathlon teams, they initially tried to name their group the same as their own team names. This resulted in chaos, and the idea was immediately dropped.

Then, they decided to come up with a completely different name for their group. These, too, resulted in shouting matches. Everyone wanted to name their group based on their respective schools' theme, which only got a universal rejection from everyone.

"And as I've said before," Shizuka reminded the gathered tankers. "We cannot achieve unity if we couldn't even agree on a group name."

"Why not call yourselves as the Girls und Panzers?"

It only took a second for the gathered tankers to react at hearing the voice of a newcomer.

A year's worth of airsoft training from the Carabinieri airsoft club of Anzio made Amaretto the first to unholster her Beretta M1935 replica handgun. She cocked and aimed her pistol at the direction of the warehouse's entrance, where the newcomer's voice originated.

The second to unholster and aim her weapon was Asparagus with her MAB Model D pistol airsoft replica. Her partner, Marie, didn't have a pistol. Still, she did unsheathe a menacing but ultimately blunt replica of a French Poignard thrusting knife.

Helm and her two crew members all produced M1911 pistol airsoft replicas aiming as well at the entrance.

In contrast, Nilgiri and her two Tetrarch crew members were not armed with handguns but instead pointed Lee-Enfield airsoft replica rifles. The subtle trembling of the Tea Knight's hands at aiming her rifle showed she didn't have ample training with the weapon.

Shizuka and Rin both were unarmed. However, while Rin had zero training in the martial arts, Shizuka did. Even without a weapon, she could easily handle any intruders with her bare hands.

The clicking and cocking of airsoft guns died down, and a girl with hair tied into twin-tails entered the warehouse's doors.

"Don't shoot!" The girl smiled as she raised her arms up in the air. "I come in peace."

"Kadotani-sama," Asparagus immediately holstered her weapon and moved to stand in front of the other tankers. "Apologies for such an inhospitable reception."

"Oh, no, it's nothing," Anzu waved her hand to assure her. "I understand the precaution."

"Indeed." Asparagus confirmed. "We were told the Maharlikan delegates were already boarding the ship."

"I see you have good intel," the Ooarai president approached the BC Freedom commander to shake her hand. "It is as you say, the Maharlikans are already on board. They are now in the process of securing the vital parts of the ship."

"What are your orders, Kadotani-san?" Asparagus saluted. "Should we attack now?"

Anzu shook her head.

"For now, please stay hidden and keep a low profile," she advised. "We must not make any rash actions without first securing some important guarantees."

"Such as?"

"A signed agreement with MEXT for another Senshado tournament to save our school."

"I see," Asparagus nodded thoughtfully. "Je comprends la logique de ton plan."

"Oui, j'y ai pense," Anzu responded in French, which took the BC Freedom commander by surprise.

"In any case," Anzu continued before Asparagus could ask how she knows French. "I will not join you on this voyage but allow me to introduce to you the overall commander of this operation."

As if on cue, a Naval Studies student wearing an outrageous pirate hat and long black coat entered the warehouse. She also was smoking on a toy pipe.

Ogin frowned at witnessing the mercenary reinforcements Anzu told her about and frowned even further when she saw the tiny landships they brought.

"You are Asparagus-dono?" The self-proclaimed pirate asked the BC Freedom commander.

"Yes," Asparagus confirmed but didn't offer any salute.

Ogin noted this but didn't pursue the issue any further.

"I am Captain Tornado Ogin," the pirate extended her arm towards the BC Freedom commander. "Just as what this chibi over here said, I am the commander of this operation."

"Salut, Captain Ogin," Asparagus shook her hand. This time, she bowed her head with respect, a gesture the pirate captain also noticed. "I look forward to working under your command."

"Mon plaisir, Asparagus-dono. Travaillons ensemble." Ogin replied.

The BC Freedom commander blinked a couple of times. "Excuse moi… Captain Ogin, how is it that you and Kadotani-san know how to speak French?"

Ogin shrugged.

"When you're at sea, it is important to know the language of friends," Ogin explained. "As well as the language of the enemy."

"Interesting." Asparagus rubbed her chin. "Is French offered as an elective in Ooarai?"

The pirate captain shook her head. "It's not. I just taught myself the language, though I can't claim I'm a fluent speaker."

Asparagus smiled. "I believe I would enjoy serving with you, Captain."

"Likewise." Ogin nodded. "Anyways, commander, I was told that Saunders also shipped equipment and supplies for the resistance."

"Yes, I believe your fellow student-sailors are opening it right now," Asparagus pointed with a nod to the direction of the extra container.

"Ah, Captain Ogin, we meet again," a student-sailor wearing glasses appeared behind Asparagus.

Supervisor Ooyodo greeted the BC Freedom commander with a bow, then bowed at the Oorai president, and finally bowed again to the pirate captain.

"Ooyodo-san, what brings you here?" Ogin asked.

"We were inspecting the equipment supplied by Saunders and," she paused as she turned towards the remaining container. "Well, see for yourself."

On cue, a WW2 open-top jeep rolled out from the container, followed by two more. The sounds of their engines reverberated all around the warehouse as they drove towards the gathered tankers.

Ogin could see each vehicle carrying a large crate on their backs. The lead jeep then halted before the glasses-wearing supervisor, who then proceeded to open its crate.

Everyone watched as Ooyodo grabbed an airsoft replica of an M1A1 Thompson with a drum magazine from the crate.

"There are still more of these inside the other shipping containers as well as other airsoft rifles and sidearms."

The supervisor handed over the gun to the pirate captain, who then proceeded to inspect it.

"Seem decent enough, but why are they world war two era replicas?" Ogin asked. "The ones we use in the lower decks are more of the modern types."

"That's because you're all using unsanctioned CQB guns," Anzu answered. "For high school CQB matches, players are limited to only use world war two era guns just like in high school Senshado."

"But this is not a match," Ogin countered. "This is a mutiny."

"Even so," the Oorai president pressed. "This is to soften any legal blow from any potential charges. This is just like us following the guidelines of the Geneva Convention in times of war."

"And the Maharlikans? Would they fight fair as well?"

"Based on the information that I got, yes," Anzu confirmed. "Their high school delegates do fight with world war two weaponry just like any high schools in the world practicing military sports."

Ogin seemed unconvinced. Still, she turned off the Thompson's safety lock, aiming it on a bunch of cans around twenty feet away.

She fired, and the gun let out a loud hissing sound as it shot volleys of BB rounds at the cans.

The cans danced at the impact of the pellets as well as getting splattered with green paint.

"Wait, it fires paintball pellets instead of the airsoft BBs?"

"Airsoft BBs with paint inside them according to official CQB rules and regulations." Ooyodo corrected, producing an instruction pamphlet. "It further says they're now made of sturdier materials so they wouldn't shatter and break inside magazines."

"Huh, interesting," Ogin inspected the gun once again. "We only use regular BBs and rain fire at anyone who would not yield."

"Expect the same from the Maharlikans," Anzu added. "Apparently, they are the reigning champion of the ASEAN CQB Tournament specializing in jungle warfare."

Ogin shrugged. "There are no jungles here, only one huge ship, and its many decks below."

Turning back to the supervisor, she asked. "How many arms do we have?"

Ooyodo fetched out her notes and started counting the numbers on her list.

"From the weapons cache we inspected, we should be able to equip three companies totaling three hundred combatants for an estimated five days of combat."

Ogin grinned. "That's way more supplies than we need."

The pirate turned towards the entrance and whistled a signal for her group to enter.

The warehouse's main door opened, and in came hundreds of student-sailors from the Naval Studies Department. However, unlike the prim and proper student-sailors operating the bridge and the engine room, this lot consisted of individuals that would have given a Morals Committee alumni a heart attack.

The delinquents present all wore different forms of accessories on top of their sailor uniforms to match their own expressions of individuality. Some dyed their hair with unnatural colors while others covered their faces with masks or scarves. One delinquent carrying an electric guitar even had her whole face painted white and black to resemble a famous metal band singer. Still, others had worn varying lengths of skirts and socks. Some wore ankle-length skirts while others completely forego skirts altogether and wore short spats instead.

Ogin's crew were also present. They stood at the front row of society's gathered misfits as if wanting to be the first to support their leader.

The pirate captain turned her attention to the BC Freedom commander.

"Asparagus-dono," Ogin started. "Allow me to introduce to you, Ooarai's freedom fighters."

A/N:

This was a fun chapter to write especially highlighting supporting characters that barely got any mention. For example, I heard Amaretto was actually one of Anzio's Vice Commander serving under Anchovy. She was not present in Der Film.

Also, I believe we never hear Nilgiri speak, but she does appear in Motto Love Love Desu in the manga and she also had a Tea Name. I'm not sure if she was even present in Der Film so I have her as acting commander instead of Rukuriri was indeed present in Der Film.

Helm-chan here is actually the fan named loader of Alisa called Helmet-chan. She was the one that Alisa berated when they were being chased by Ooarai in the tournament. She was also present in Der Film and we can even see her getting tossed around the tank along with Arisa when they were being shot at. In this fanfic, Helm-chan didn't in Der Film, and Alisa has another loader for her.

As for Asparagus and Marie, this is just a fan theory of mine. In the background story, we were told that the ships of BC and Freedom Academy were being decommissioned. In this story, it was Maharlika who took their ship out with the Girls side taking Asparagus' ship and the Boys side taking Marie's ship. I've also made some edits in the previous chapter to reflect this change. Also, in this story, after the events of Der Film, Asparagus would retire and Marie would take over for her later.

For now, Marie is the Vice-Commander.

The last pair we have were Shizuka and Rin from Ribbon Warrior. Originally, all these Ribbon Warrior characters would not be appearing on this fanfic. However, when I was conceiving the cargo plane of Saunders was ridiculously big, I realized we could fit a couple of containers inside and from their on we got the Ribbon Warrior casts inside shipping containers.

Finally, I just want to say that I'm not an airsoft player. I love the concept of airsoft tournaments, but I can't afford airsoft guns yet. (also it's an expensive hobby)

As such, I would most certainly get some things wrong and I would appreciate it if you would post reviews explaining where I got wrong in my descriptions of airsoft guns and rules.

Lastly, lastly. I know that BBs containing paints are notorious for easily cracking inside a magazine. However, in this fanfic, let's just assumed BB pellets containing paint works.

Anyway, that's all for now. Maybe in the next chapter, we finally meet other captains?

Thanks, and enjoy!

Revision History:

- Originally published on Nov 9, 2020