A/N
Sorry for the delay with this one, I finally finished my dissertation for Uni so that took up a lot of my time and this took the back seat for a brief time. I have a few more assignments to do, plus some work for my job application so expect more sporadic uploading!
AnimePsychologist
Thank you so much for the review, your current fic really captured my imagination and is beautifully written, so I really am awestruck by the fact that you are reading mine as well :) I'll take your advice into consideration!
Two weeks later
The sun rose above the Ark Royal, illuminating the carrier with its bright beams, in the tank shed the engineer teams who had been working all through the night were finishing up the last-minute repairs and checks on the tanks. A few of early risers on the team were there as well, loading up their tanks with shells and tea supplies. Across the carrier the rest of the school began to stir, Matthew Davenport and his crew were in the carrier's canteen, sipping on tea and finishing off their breakfast. Other crews were slowly making their way across the carrier either towards the tanks or in search of a bite to eat. Henry's house was starting to stir as well, Tim and Pekoe were once again in the kitchen, preparing a full English breakfast for the others, the smell of which was permeating the house slowly. Arthur emerged from his room with a yawn and cracked his neck as he smelt the food, and began to make his way downstairs, Richard and Assam had fallen asleep on the sofa where they had been sat last night going over some last details on Assam's laptop. Rosehip and Richie also emerged from Richie's room, both looking worse for wear as he hadn't still got a replacement bed.
In Henry's room, he slumbered on, chest rising and falling slowly as his arm tightened around the person who he shared the bed with. Darjeeling's normally impeccable platinum hair was undone and fanned out on the pillow as she curled up into Henry's side.
There was a light tap on the door, "Miss Darjeeling, Sir Henry, sorry to bother you but breakfast is ready, and everyone is downstairs" Pekoe's timid voice came through the door, stirring the occupants of the bed. Henry groaned and ran his left hand over his face, as his right was trapped underneath his girlfriend. "Thank you, Pekoe, we'll be down in a minute."
The sound of her moving away receded, as Darjeeling properly stirred next to him, "Darling, I don't suppose you mind shifting off my arm, I can't feel it."
"Are you calling me fat?"
"Oh God give me a break woman, I've been awake for less than 5 minutes and you're already manipulating me."
Darjeeling chuckled and shifted so he could rescue his arm, which was completely dead and just rested on the pillow. She then curled up against him again,
"Can't we – Yawn- stay here for a bit longer."
"I'm sorry who are you and what have you done with Darjeeling?"
She just buried her face in his chest, "I'm tired, and it's all your fault."
"I believe it's called mutually assured destruction, and you started it."
"Did not."
"Did too."
They both shared a chuckle as they lay there for a few more minutes in the quiet before Henry gently extracted himself from her grip and wandered over to the shower. The hot water hitting his face chased away any remains of sleep. His dried himself off with a clean towel, laying out a clean one for Darjeeling as well, pulled on a clean pair of boxers then he wandered back into his room, where Darjeeling was just sitting up with the duvet pulled up to her chest.
"Come on sleeping beauty, breakfast will get cold." Henry pulled on his uniform black trousers and his white shirt that he wore underneath his red jacket.
"Don't wait for me, I'll be down in a jiffy" Darjeeling yawned out.
"Alright, whatever you say, just don't blame me if all the bacon is gone" he winked at her then turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Making his way downstairs, he was greeted in the kitchen by two very different sights. Arthur, Tim, and Pekoe were sat at the table looking perky and fairly cheerful, happily chomping on whatever food they were eating, whereas the others were looking absolutely dismal. Assam was lying on the floor face down with Richard giving her a back rub and emitting small groans of pain as he rubbed his hands over a particularly tense spot, Rosehip and Richie were slumped down in chairs, Rosehip leaning her head on Richie's shoulder, with her mouth open, emitting small cat-like sounds as she napped, whilst he had his head down on the table, having narrowly missed faceplanting into his breakfast.
"You ok down there?" Henry enquired of Assam, who stuck her thumb up in the air before dropping it back down and emitting another groan.
"Ended up sleeping on the couch doing some final work on the BC match, we better make sure we win or she will one hundred percent murder me this time." Another thumb was stuck up in the air, making Henry chuckle as he rubbed Rosehip on the head, startling her awake with an "EH?!", before scowling at Henry's smiling face.
"Sir Henryyyyyy, it's rude to wake people up like that, Miss Darjeeling always said so."
"I need my driver alive Rosehip, stop encouraging him to nap."
"Finneeeeeeee." Rosehip moaned out, before poking Richie in the side. "Oi stupid, get up." Richie grunted in surprise, the usually quiet and dignified driver looked shell-shocked as he jolted upwards, knocking Rosehip off her chair which caused another bout of laughter to emerge from Henry, as the three actual functioning humans in the kitchen quietly smirked.
"Good morning you three, glad to see some of us are bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning." Henry busied himself pouring two cups of English breakfast tea, he added some milk and sugar to his, but none to Darjeeling's knowing she liked it plain in the morning.
"Good morning to you too Sir, will Miss Darjeeling be joining us for breakfast?" inquired Tim, the ever-faithful batman.
"No, I think I'll take some up for her, she's probably fallen asleep again." Henry chuckled
"Late night ehy?" Arthur winked at him and nudged Pekoe in the side, who politely giggled at his joke.
"Something like that. Don't worry Arthur, if I can do it so can you."
"Now that was uncalled for."
"What? I was complimenting you. You just need to put yourself out there, you know. I'm sure one of the girls will take a fancy."
Arthur flushed and turned back to his breakfast, as Henry chuckled, 'Ah if this keeps up it's going to be a wonderful match'. Humming the British Grenadiers to himself he loaded up two plates with eggs, sausages, bacon, hash browns and baked beans. Popped 4 slices of bread in the toaster and waited for them to pop up. The toaster popped with a ding as he took a small sip from his tea, the warm liquid breathing some energy into his veins, as he lightly buttered the toast and set two pairs on cutlery on the plates, then balancing both plates and mugs he made his way back through the kitchen and living area where Assam was now returning the favour to Richard and took the stairs back to his room opening the door gently with his foot.
"Breakfast is served!" Darjeeling's mess of hair emerged from the blanket and duvet fortress she had made for herself in his bed.
"Oh my, you do know how to treat a lady."
"Well contrary to your belief that I simply a rogue, I can be a gentleman as well."
"One can be a charming rogue and still polite, which is what you are."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Henry set both plates down on his desk along with the two cups of tea, "Come on slow poke, out of bed." He heard a rustling of bed sheets as he finished setting up breakfast, Darjeeling lay her head on his shoulder clad in her fluffy white dressing gown, which had migrated over to Henry's house over the course of the last few weeks.
"Mhm, smells good. Who cooked?"
"Tim and Pekoe, as usual, an excellent pair and I take full credit for setting them up together."
"Of course you do." She planted a kiss on his cheek, then pulled one of his chairs out and sat down in front of the desk, he did the same. Eating their breakfast in silence, Henry dwelt on the plan of the day to come, the match was due to start at 10am and it was 7:30am now, so they had to get the tanks off the carrier pretty soon and onto the grounds. The match was actually taking place in Ooarai, who had kindly volunteered to host the friendly between the two schools. Ooarai was one of the few schools that did not have a male sensha-do team as they could not afford two and that the majority of their students were still girls.
"Hey Darling? You're friends with Ooarai team Captain aren't you?"
"Oh, dear Miho? Yes I am."
"What's she like? She must be quite formidable given what Ooarai have done in the last year and a half."
Darjeeling took a thoughtful sip of her tea, "Well…she's quite shy outside of her tank, but she's a fine commander and has a kind soul, I can get you a meeting if you want." She smirked at him.
"I might take you up on that. Hey maybe one of the Ooarai girls will take a fancy to Arthur!". They both shared a laugh.
Fields of Ooarai – Thirty minutes before the start of the match
The St Gloriana tanks made for an intimidating sight as they were all lined up on the ridge just outside Ooarai. The various crews were discussing battle plans, making last minute checks on their tanks whilst the Commanders were milling around the Comet, where Henry was showing them a map of the terrain and how their plan would change around it. The sound of a Riley Nine Falcon broke through the cacophony of voices and engineering sounds. Henry paused in his briefing as the car, driven by Assam, pulled up next to the tank. Darjeeling emerged from the back, followed by two girls in the green and white of Ooarai. One, stood tall and graceful, with striking grey eyes and long flowing black hair, whilst the other was smaller, with short cropped light brown hair and hazelnut eyes. Both had smiles on their faces as Darjeeling led them over to the Comet.
The other Commanders scattered at their approach, Henry and his crew watched with curious eyes as the girls came to stop next to them, jumping down Henry smirked at Darjeeling,
"Come on then Darling, introduce us!" The brown-haired girl looked up sharply, turning her head between him and Darjeeling, before making an O with her mouth, then quick shutting it again.
"Girls, this scandalous example of a man is Henry Fordwaith the Commander of the St Gloriana male team."
"Nice to meet you, I am Hana Isuzu" the taller girl bowed her head respectfully.
"And I'm Miho Nishizumi." The shorter girl also bowed her head.
"Ah the famous Miho of Ooarai, we've heard a lot about you! A pleasure to make your acquaintance ladies, let me introduce my crew."
Miho flushed red in embarrassment, whilst Hana simply smiled, "This lot of delinquents are Timothy Perkins our radio operator" Tim waved from his position on the top of tank "Richard Warrington, our driver." Richard flashed a grin at the two, "and those two imbeciles are Richard and Arthur Price, our gunner and loader respectively" Richard gave a salute to the two, whilst Arthur was staring dumbfounded at Hana, who blushed and looked down at the ground until his brother slapped him over the head and he shook himself out of his and abashedly rubbed the back of his head before also giving them a smile.
"We wish you the best of luck in the match today!" Miho said, "We've never seen any of the male teams in action before."
"Well we will strive to put on a good show." Henry winked
"Well we'll leave you to it then." Darjeeling gave Henry a kiss on the cheek and whispered to him "Do not lose, I don't think I'll be able to stand Marie's superiority complex if you do."
He chuckled, "Not to worry Darling, we won't lose." She smiled and turned away, the two Ooarai girls following her back into the car, where Assam blew a kiss to Richard who returned it, before driving off.
"MATCH STARTS IN FIVE MINUTES"
"I suppose we best get ready for the opening ceremony, Tim prepare the drinks whilst we do the formality's"
"Yes Sir!"
As it was a friendly match, the two teams were not too far away from each other, so Henry and the rest of the Commanders walked down towards the middle of the ground, where they would exchange greetings and the traditional bow with the opposing side.
The Commanders were all arrayed in their red coats and made a splendid sight as they lined up behind Henry, the sun gleaming off polished belt buckles and boots. The four judges were already there waiting. Bowing in greeting to the head judge, Oorai's advisor, Ami Chono, who towered over the others, Henry patiently stood at ease with his hands clasped behind his back, waiting for his opposition to emerge.
Eventually cresting the hill came BC Freedoms commanders, quite a few looked a bit worse for wear, as they advanced being who Henry could only assume was Philip "Augustus" D'hauve. The man wore an arrogant sneer on his face, as his blue and gold clad teammates lined up opposite the St Gloriana men. The BC uniform consisted of white trousers, black boots, a gold lined blue jacket with a short cape thrown over the side of the right shoulder, which was laced with golden epaulettes as well as a Blue cap with the BC freedom logo on the front.
"So, you're Henry Fordwaith, I was expecting someone more refined." Philip spoke up haughtily.
"Sorry to disappoint you but refined or not you'll always come behind me." Henry spoke neutrally.
Philip's face contorted in anger, 'Clearly easily wound up' Henry though 'Arrogant and proud, not traits you want for this sort of thing, but he's not necessarily stupid'
Ami Chono coughed, "All teams, I expect a good clean match today! Bow!"
Henry and the St Gloriana team bowed towards their opponents, whilst only half the BC team did, Philip not included.
"I don't bow to those beneath me." With a haughty huff he turned, and his team followed him back up the hill.
Henry cocked his eyebrow and laughed, turning to his commanders "Well lads, let's take this puffed up Frog down a few ticks shall we?"
The gathered men all gave a resounding "Aye!" in response as they turned back around to their own lines, Tim was ready with a large tray with held small glasses filled with sherry that the federation had long since given up trying to confiscate from them. Each commander took a glass, awaiting Henry who picked is own up and swirled the sherry in the glass around before raising it high "Gentlemen, I give you todays fox."
They all repeated "Todays fox!" and all of them then simultaneously drained their glasses, placing them back on the tray with a clink, before splitting off to their respective tanks.
"How was it Sir?" Tim enquired as they made their way to the Comet, where Richie was waiting patiently to start the engine.
"He was damn rude and arrogant, and now I doubly want to win just for that fact."
"Don't worry Sir, we've all got faith in you!"
"Thank you Tim."
Mounting the tank, Henry let Tim get in first, so he could secure the plate and drinking glasses back in their cases, then slipping into the Commanders chair he flipped on his throat mic.
"All crews this is Duke, you all know the plan. I'll keep it short and simple, we're going to take that smug frog's arrogance and shove it right down his pipe hole. Let's show them what St Gloriana can do!"
"Plus you've got your Lady watching." Matthew Davenport cheekily replied accompanied by various chuckles from other commanders.
"Thank you Davenport, that'll be all." Henry chuckled to himself, the team was quite comfortable with boundaries and worked organically together unlike some teams which were broken apart by internal rivalries.
"MATCH START"
The flare rose above the field and crackled as it exploded, "All crews, full advance."
The echoing roar of the combined engines rose up through the Ooarai fields as the St Gloriana team pushed forwards into a match that would prove to one of their hardest yet.