Chapter Two: An Unsettling Turn of Events..
Unspecified location
The woman stared through her binoculars, watching the hill in front of her.
"Commander Nishizumi, no enemy tanks here, shall we advance?" A voice crackled through her throat microphone.
The woman sat down in the commander's seat. "You have my permission. All Panzers, follow Erika!" She ordered.
"What about us, commander?" Her driver asked.
The woman looked down. "We'll stay here and watch the advance," She answered in a confident tone. She had a feeling the enemy was nearly shattered, with only one more push to complete victory. She smiled. After this she could have some rest, maybe go back home and visit her mother, possibly even her sister .
She watched several Panzers, which have been outfitted with the latest armour, infrared and computer technologies and stocked with the most powerful shells start to advance up the hill. They stopped at the crest for a minute, before descending until the woman couldn't see them anymore.
"There's not a single enemy," remarked one of the panzer commanders.
"That's strange…" Another one said.
"Commander, what should we do?" Erika asked.
"Hold on, I'll be there in a minute." The woman replied, "Go." She ordered.
Her panzer started to move forwards, towards the hill.
"What is that…. Oh god it's a tra-" One commander screamed before the transmission went static.
The woman heard the explosions from over the hill. "What's going on?" She demanded.
"It seems the enemy set up an ambush!" Erika cried.
"Calm down! I'll be there in a second!" The woman roared, "How many are there?" She demanded.
"Just one!?" One Panzer commander answered in a panic, before shrieking in pain as her panzer exploded in a ball of fire.
The woman tapped her feet. "Hurry, hurry, hurry…" She mumbled.
Her panzer finally ascended to the top of the hill. The woman quickly opened up the hatch and peered over the hill. What she saw was a massacre. All of the panzers below were either on fire or had massive holes in them. Their crews were sprawled on their destroyed tanks and across the ground, blood pouring out of their bodies. The woman watched as Erika, her subordinate, crawl out of a destroyed Tiger II tank, only to be blown apart by the single enemy tank on the battlefield.
The woman stared at the carnage, not believing her own eyes. She stared for a few seconds before jolting to action. "Take that tank out!" She barked. Her panzer fired a HEAT shell, which missed the tank by a few feet. The tank turned straight towards her panzer, and charged.
"Fall back!" The woman ordered. Her panzer fired several more shells, few of them were a direct hit but didn't seem to affect the opposing tank. The woman stared in disbelief as the hatch to the cupola opened and a young girl wriggled out, just across from her. The girl seemed to be around the same age as her younger sister. She had flowing, long black hair, and had a scar down her right eye. Her tank clashed with the woman's panzer, which placed her face right next to the girls'. The woman, who was typically unemotional, clearly showed how frightened she was of this girl, and the girl took notice. She started to laugh maniacally, causing the woman to cringe. The girl fired her tank, launching the panzer backwards. The woman's last thoughts before blacking out was the regret of not saying goodbye to her sister….
Kuromorimine Girl's High School carrier
Nishizumi Maho woke up covered in sweat. What the hell was that nightmare? She thought. I haven't had one in years. She shuddered when she remembered that crazy girl in the tank. Who the hell is she? The image of her dead teammates, bloodied and mangled, was glued into her mind. She couldn't shake it off, and clasped her hands over her face in frustration. This was the worst feeling she ever felt. It was bad enough in a dream; if it happened in real life she wouldn't know how well she would take it. She continued to lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling until there was a knock at the door.
"Commander?" It was Erika, who opened the door, "Are you here? Commander?"
Maho shot up from her bed. "Yeah, I will be out in a minute," She replied.
One floor below, things were becoming increasingly confusing.
"Um, excuse me, but what are you doing here?" Kuromorimine student Akaboshi Koume asked quizzically at the strange group of girls that were clustered together in the room.
She took a step back when a girl in twin tails grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Where's the pasta? I demand pasta!" She shouted.
"Kuromorimine sure does lack in taste, right neesan?" A tomboy ran around the twin tails, flailing her arms and jumping up and down.
"I wish Taka-Chan was here with me." A blonde girl sighed sadly.
Koume took another step back. "please, leave," Her face was turning extremely pale.
The doors suddenly burst open. "There's the enemy! Charge!" A female voice bellowed out. Several girls ran across the room, tripping and falling as they run.
"Chi-ha-tan? What are you..." Koume was now on the verge of tears.
"Huh, where's Nishizumi-dono? Is she not feeling well today?" A tall girl asked.
"Maybe she are ate too much wurst and fell ill!" A short girl with glasses piped up.
"Good thinking, Fukuda! Who knew that such a strong rival would fall to the simple act of eating! Or perhaps she took a bite of some St. Gloriana rations! What a malicious trap," The tall one rambled.
They were all shouting so loud they didn't hear the sound of a kantele drifting throughout the room. They all turned towards the corner. A girl was playing the kantele, oblivious to the situation before her.
"It is Mika-dono from Keizoku High school! What brings you here?" The tall girl asked.
Mika looked up. "I was just brought here by the wind," She said.
"Mika! There you are! We've been looking for you!" Two girls walked in through the doorway.
Mika smiled. "Ah, Aki and Mikko, welcome home,"
"Please leave," Koume moaned, putting her face in her hands.
Erika and Maho walked down the staircase.
"What's going on here? Why are there so many people down here?" Erika demanded.
Everybody looked up at her.
"I heard there was a pasta party here," The twin tails spoke up.
"We were told the duck team was here as well," The tall girl added.
"And I was here to pick up the panther you promised to lend us," Mika finished.
"First of all, Anchovy, where the hell did you get that idea? And Nishi, who the hell is duck team? And Mika, you just want to steal one of our tanks!" Erika shouted.
"I told you it wouldn't work," The redhead next to Mika mumbled.
"Alas, it wasn't meant to be, Mikko," Mika answered while strumming her kantele.
Erika's face turned red. "Out! Everyone out!" Erika pushed all of them out of the room and shut the door.
"Who should we bother next, neesan?" The tomboy asked.
"We're investigating, Pepperoni!" The Anchovy shouted. "It's for Duce's world tour!"
Pravda Girls High School Carrier
A tall blonde girl was standing out in the cold, waiting by the helipad. The wind whipped the snow against her face, but she remained still like a frozen statue. She wiped her face with her red mittens, and put them back in her fluffy jacket. Her brown Ushanka was damp from the snow that melted as it landed on the rabbit fur.
"What do you think she's doing, Nonna?" A little girl with short blonde hair poked her head out the window.
"If you want to, I will go ask her, Katyusha," Nonna, a tall girl with long black hair stood up.
"Please!" Katyusha smiled. Nonna waved and exited the school building.
"Klara!" Nonna shouted, and Klara turned around. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"I am waiting for the man I love," Klara answered in Russian. Nonna nodded and walked back into the Pravda school building.
"So," Katyusha jumped up, "What did she say?"
"I am waiting for the man I love.." Nonna answered, to Katyusha's ire.
"No, in Japanese!" Katyusha yelled.
Nonna sighed. "She is waiting for the man she loves,"
Katyusha gasped and took a step back. "She had someone special like that? Nonna, we have to investigate!" She ordered. They both went outside to wait with Klara.
They stood outside for nearly an hour, covered in the snow. Finally, a Mil Mi-26 Russian transport helicopter appeared from the clouds and landed on the helipad. A large man exited the helicopter. He was around forty years old, and had a short, brown beard. His military uniform was dotted with ribbons, and the medals clanked together as the man stepped down onto the icy ground
"Papa!" Klara propelled herself into the man's arms.
"Haha! Klara, good to see you as well!" The man exclaimed.
Katyusha scoffed. "This is your man Klara? Sheesh, you have strange tastes," She grumbled.
Nonna tugged her shoulder. "That's her father," She whispered.
Katyusha let out a relieved sigh. "Oh, ok!I am Katyusha!" She exclaimed loudly.
Klara's father looked at her. "So this is your child, Klara?" He asked in proficient Japanese.
Katyusha's face turned beet red. "Klarra! What have you been telling him?" She screamed. Klara, her father and Nonna looked at each other and started laughing.
"Whaat?" Katyusha demanded, stamping her foot against the ground.
Klara's father wiped his eyes, which had teared up from laughter. "Sorry sorry, bad joke," He patted Katyusha's head. "Klara has told me great things about you. She seems to be really proud to be serving under you on the Senshadou team."
With that Katyusha beamed with pride. "Well, of course! I am the greatest!" She pumped her chest.
Klara's father turns to Nonna. "And you are Nonna?" He asked.
Nonna bows. "Yes, indeed. It is an honor to meet you. For you to have taken time out of your day to fly all the way to our school carrier must have been an inconvenience,"
The man laughed. "Oh, don't worry about it. Being the prime minister of Russia has its benefits,"
"But surely you have more reasons than just meeting your daughter," Nonna prodded. "I do not think the president will permit you to travel at your own leisure. Especially now, when Russia is fighting a war against Western Europe."
The man sighed in defeat. "I've come here to give you information regarding China."
"Information?"
"Yes, what they are planning after they conquer Malaysia."
"What are they going to do?" Nonna was puzzled. "And how are they even going to take Malaysia? Half a dozen countries are fighting them as we speak!"
"The Chinese are not only fighting them on the frontlines, but are acting behind the scenes as well," Klara's father said. "They do have the largest standing military in the entire world. They can use brute force to change the diplomatic situation." He paused. "China is preparing to launch an invasion so huge, it will dwarf Operation Barbarossa."
"What?" Nonna shouted in astonishment.
Klara's father nodded gravely. "According to my intelligence services, they are planning a wide-scale invasion sometime in 2025. They're going to recruit several other nations for the invasion. The target is unfortunately unknown as of now."
Katyusha took a step back, confused by all this talk. She looked back and forth. "Huh? What's going on?" She demanded.
Nonna looked at her with worrying eyes. She turned back to Klara's father. "Why are you telling me this? Isn't China and Russia on friendly relations?" She questioned.
The man pulled Klara in closer and grimaced. "Family is more important that politics. I'm doing this for Klara," He said. A sad look took over his face. "I believe the Motherland will lose the war. We've made too many enemies, more than any of us would have predicted. And I bear all the responsibility. I took advantage of the situation in Europe, with all of the countries fractured and divided. And for a while, we were victorious. The Baltics, Central Europe and Finland all fell to us. We even reached the gates of Berlin. But we have been pushed back all the way back into Poland. The tide has turned against us."
He stopped to take out a cigarette. But when he tried to light it, Klara snatched it out of his hand and crushed it with her foot. Klara's father chuckled. "Just like your mother," He muttered. He once more faced Nonna. "I have a wife and two more sons back in Russia. You could say I sent Klara to Japan to keep her out of danger, but since things are getting dangerous in Asia as well, I wanted to assist her in any way possible."
"Why can't you move the family to Japan?" Klara asked frantically.
Klara's father sighed. "I still have work to do in the Motherland, and can't bear to be separated by your mother and brothers. You could say I'm selfish in a way. I would like to send at least your brothers away, but they are too young to be separated, and I doubt they would agree to such actions. All of you are stubborn, just like your mother and I," He smiled. But it quickly disappeared. "Sometimes I wonder if I should finally choose between my family and the Motherland. I already steered my Motherland towards an uncertain future, but leaving with my wife and children would be abandoning the people to the results of my sins." Nonna could see the conflicting emotions in him; the decision to choose between his family and his responsibilities was tearing him apart. Sadness, regret, guilt, pain and others had gushed through him like a dam.
"Prime Minister Tolokoff!" The pilot shouted. "The President has summoned you back to Moscow immediately!"
Klara's father nodded. He turned to face Katyusha. "Katyusha!" He bellowed, and Katyusha jumped back. "Thank you for being friends with my daughter. I hope you will continue to treat her well." He said.
Katyusha grinned. "Leave it to me!" She exclaimed.
Nodding, Klara's father looked at Nonna. "I would like to thank you as well, for being there for her when I am too busy working," He said slowly.
Nonna bowed. "Klara has always been a good friend of mine. I will always be there for her,"
Klara's father smiled. "Good, because I don't think I will be able to anymore," He said ominously. He kissed Klara on the cheek. "I have to go now. I love you dear." He turned around to climb back into the helicopter, but Klara latched on tightly. "
Please, don't go!" Klara begged, tears falling down her face.
Klara's father stopped. "I'm sorry," His voice cracked. "I'm sorry for everything I've done. I truly am." He muttered.
He climbed up the stairs and was about to enter the helicopter when Klara shouted again. "Tell mother and the others I love them and miss them!" She cried.
Klara's father turned to look Klara one more time, tears staining his bearded face as well. "Don't worry, I will. And they love you too!" He shouted back.
He waved from the window as the Mi-26 ascended back up into the sky, devoured by the gray clouds. Klara watched the dark sky for a while, before turning to Katyusha and Nonna. She stumbled down to Katyusha and embraced her in a tight hug. Katyusha lightly patted her back as she began bawling, while Nonna looked on, a sad expression on her face.
Ooarai Girls High School Carrier
Miho was walking towards the tank garage when she thought she heard something coming from inside. Deciding to investigate, she crept along the edge of the doors and eavesdropped on whatever was in there. What she heard surprised her.
"So, where do you think they store the pasta?"
"Duce, we're the only ones that even eat pasta."
"Surely they'll at least have tomato sauce!"
"I don't think there's a point in doing this."
"Shut up, Mika, you came here to 'borrow' their Stug III!"
"The wind was blowing us together in the same direction."
"Mika, everyone knows what you want to do. Just give up already."
"Are we even going to charge anything?"
"Umm..excuse me." Miho interrupted. Anchovy, Pepperoni, Carpaccio, Mika, Aki, Mikko, Nishi and the rest of the Chi-ha-tan group jumped back in surprise.
"Ni-Ni-Nishizumi? What are you doing here?" Anchovy stuttered in a confused tone.
Miho cocked her head to the left in confusion. "What do you mean? This is my school," She stated.
Anchovy clicked her tongue. "Oh, yeah. That's right. Uh, we were filming a documentary called 'Duce's World Tour!' It's about me tasting different foods from different schools!" She exclaimed.
Miho groaned. "Fine. You can eat some of our food," She said in group cheered.
…...
Yukari was running around the JSDF base, squealing whenever she saw a tank. She would whip out her phone and snap pictures of it. "Ooooh, Nishizumi-dono would love this." She mumbled to herself.
As she was walking around she accidentally bumped into a soldier. She fell to the ground, and the man stumbled back.
Yukari jumped back up. "Watch where you're going!" She shouted at the man.
The man stared at Yukari incredulously. "Young woman, watch where you are going!" He shouted back. He looked over her. "Hey, you're not even part of our garrison! You're a highschool student!" He exclaimed. "You are trespassing on private property! Come with me!" He grabbed Yukari by the shoulders and dragged her off through the base.
Yukari was placed in a large room, with the soldier sitting at the opposite side of the table. "So, He asked in a low tone. "What were you doing?"
Yukari began to sweat. "I was just taking pictures of tanks sir," She quickly answered.
The soldier furrowed his eyebrows. "Pictures of tanks?" He asked, not believing her.
Yukari nodded her head. "Yes, sir," She replied.
The soldier grunted. "Hand the pictures over," He ordered.
Yukari shakily took out her phone and handed it over to the soldier, who swiped through the pictures.
After looking through the phone, he looked back up at Yukari. "Taking pictures of military equipment is a breach of security," He informed her. "Especially in times in war. You could be a spy for the Chinese for all I know!" He shouted.
Yukari recoiled in her seat. "I meant no harm! It is just a hobby!" She cried.
The soldier slammed his fist against the table. "You could be court martialed for this! This is your own fault!"
"Who could be court martialed for what?" A voice asked from behind Yukari.
The soldier stood up and saluted. "Sir, this girl was caught skulking around and taking pictures of tanks," He told the older man, who walked up to Yukari.
The man looked down at Yukari, who was on the verge of tears. "What is your name?" He asked.
"A-Akiyama Yukari," Yukari sniffled.
The man stared at Yukari, before laughing out loud. Both the soldier and Yukari stared in surprise.
"What is so funny, General?" The soldier demanded.
"I'm sorry, but this girl means no harm," The general told him. He put his hand on Yukari's shoulder. "You must be Jungoro's daughter! He has told me all about you! You are everything to him!" He roared, "So, you were taking pictures of tanks. I know you love tanks!" He said.
Yukari blushed. "I am embarrassed to admit it…" She mumbled.
"General? This is-" The soldier stumbled for words, but the man raised his hand.
"From now on you are free to enter the compounds at any time!" The general exclaimed, hitting Yukari on the back, almost shoving Yukari's forehead into the table.
Yukari gave a small laugh and got up, saluting the general. "Thank you General-"
"Just call me Hijikata!" He said.
Yukari's eyes widened. "Hijikata? You mean Hijikata Takayuki, the acting commanding director of Ooarai?" Her mouth gaped.
Hijikata nodded. "Welcome to the club, Akiyama!"
…..
At the school cafeteria, there was a party consisting of the uninvited guests and the Ooarai Senshadou teams. Carpaccio and Cesar rejoiced together, drank some Anzio(non-alcoholic)wine, and indulged in the anglerfish Ooarai is so famous for.
Miho was enjoying the party with her friends when she got a text. It was from Chouno Ami, a JSDF Senshadou instructor that used to be under the wing of Miho's mother.
Hey, I think you would want to know about this! Ami texted.
Miho quickly texted back. About what? She texted back. It took about a minute for an answer to come back.
Ami: Apparently there were North Korean ships going down the Yellow Sea. There were transport ship, cruisers and destroyers, and maybe even a aircraft carrier. They're definitely planning something.
Miho: Maybe they're going to Malaysia? They are allies with the Chinese.
Ami: I don't know, maybe. The Chinese are doing well down there by themselves. They are pushing the Allied forces back.
Miho: Maybe they're planning to attack us.
Ami: Us? Where could they be headed? Even if we are close together, I don't think they have the power to support an invasion of Japan.
Miho: Well, they could attack Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and other islands that could be used for a supply base. The North Koreans could just be filling in for China for all we know.
Ami: Hm, that might not be a bad idea. You know what, that actually reminds me of a message from Katyusha.
Miho: A message from Katyusha-san? What was it?
Ami: Yeah, it's really serious. It said that China was going to invade another country in around a year.
Miho: Where would she get such information? That's really crazy.
Ami: She said it was from an anonymous, but highly trustworthy source. I have a feeling who it is though.
Miho: That means North Korea wouldn't invade Japan, that's for sure.
Ami: You could say we're pretty safe for now. Oh, I have to go to a meeting now, text you later!
Miho put the phone away, too tired to eat.
St. Gloriana Girls High School Carrier
A girl hair with blonde hair slowly sipped her tea, and cringed. It was not the usual tea, as the materials were rationed. She sighed. This would not do, she thought.
There was a rapid knock at the door. "Darjeeling-sama?" An orange haired girl peeked in.
"Orange-Pekoe! Is there something for me?" Darjeeling clasped her hands together.
A blonde walked up behind Orange-Pekoe. "It's a letter from an Eclair? Or an Asparagus, I forgot which one," She passed the letter onto Darjeeling.
"Thank you, Assam," Darjeeling said, taking the letter. She opened up the letter and read it: "Salut, the food you have sent me have increased my stomach cramps. Sacre Bleu, please learn how to cook. But your tea is the best I have had the joy to drink. Please send more, it helps with the stomach pains." She crumpled the letter up and threw it into a trashcan. "Assam, send three tons of tea to BC Freedom...Or Maginot? I don't know. Send three tons to both schools." She said.
Assam smiled. "Yes, Darjeeling-sama,"
A transport ship, in the Yellow Sea
There were dozens, maybe even hundreds of ships steaming in a large convoy through the calm sea. Helicopters of all varieties filled the sky. Soldiers bustled around the transport ships, checking their equipment, taking naps, and getting ready for a fight. They were part of the 30,000 troops that formed the first wave of an invasion that would cripple the island nation of Japan.
A single girl looked out into the ocean, staring blankly. Her long black hair flowed along with the wind, and the salty air slightly stung her scar.
"Madam. Madam," A soldier was trying to get her attention. The girl blinked twice, before looking at the soldier. The soldier saluted. "Are you excited for the upcoming battle?" He asked.
The girl smiled, a malicious grin forming on her face. "Oh, I'm excited alright. I'm all excited to give those Japanese a lesson they deserve," She laughed maniacally, to the amusement of the soldier.