Chapter seventeen: Close Combat
A young Maho was sitting in a seat, looking out the window. Below her was the blue ocean, covered by thin sheets of white clouds. She looked to her right, and saw her mother sitting next to her, with Miho on her lap. "Where are we going again?" She asked.
Her mother smiled. "We're going to an international Senshadou tournament," She explained.
Maho grinned. "So people from all over the world are coming?" She asked.
Shiho nodded. "Yes. People and tanks are coming from all over the world to compete," She looked down. "I have a friend who has a daughter around Miho's age." She said.
"My age?" Miho bounced up and down.
Shiho gently grabbed her by the shoulders. "Yes, and she is a shy girl, and I hope you will become great friends with her,"
"Okay!" Miho exclaimed.
Shiho patted her head. "She might even become your sister," She said.
Maho looked at her. "A new sister?" She asked.
Shiho nodded. "You girls need a father figure, and she needs a mother figure. So my friend and I were thinking of moving in together," She said.
Maho grinned. "Another sister will be great!" She shouted.
"Yes, it would be," Shiho said in agreement. She grabbed Maho and Miho and pulled them in her. "You two are going to have so much fun." She said, and the two little girls squeal in response.
"Commander!" Maho's eyes snap open in the commander's seat. "What?" She asked.
"We're going to move out in a bit. Want some coffee?" The driver asked.
Maho nodded. "Thanks," She yawned and stretched in what little room she had. What the hell was that dream? She thought. It seemed more like a memory though... but I have no recollection of that happening. And mother was unusually cheerful, was she always like that? She sighed. I have a feeling it's something important.
"Here you go commander," The driver passed Maho a cup of coffee, who took it with surprise.
"How did you get this?" Maho asked.
"Well, St. Gloriana makes tea in their tanks, so I thought it would be nice to place a coffee machine in here," The driver said.
Maho took a sip of coffee. It's good. She thought. She opened the cupola and she leaned out of the Panzer X. All around her soldiers were running around, carrying ammunition and jerry cans.
"Nishizumi!" She turned to her right and saw an officer walking towards her.
"Yes, sir?" She asked.
"We're going on the offensive in an hour or so. Prepare yourself and your crews for action. The enemy is on last position in Nago, so this can go either be really easy or extremely hard," He said, "There's enemy defensive positions just by the city corner over there." He pointed forwards. "You'll encounter the usual; anti tank grenades and mines, rockets and trenches. I want you to lead the vanguard of the attack," He explained.
Maho nodded. "Alright. Got it,"
…..
Maho was eating rations with her crew when Hiroi came walking over.
"Hey!" He waved.
Maho nodded her head. "Morning," She said.
Hiroi yawned. "So, today is the big day," He said.
"Yeah," Maho agreed. "Hopefully we'll get some rest after this." She said hopefully.
"Yeah, though I doubt they will let us have one. We've been pushing them back for quite a while, and we can't afford to waste time," Hiroi breathed out. "The air force is going to attack their positions right about-" The roar of engines drown out all conversation as several jets fly over the Japanese positions. "-now." Hiroi finished. Several moments later the loud sounds of several explosions echoed across the city. "Hell yeah!" He shouted. "Blow'em up!"
"All troops, prepare to move out!" The order resonated throughout the camp.
"Well then," Hiroi began to walk away. "I'm off. Good luck to you, Maho."
"You too." Maho called out, before turning to her crew. "You heard the order. Get the Panzer ready."
…...
Within several minutes Maho was in her commander's seat, peering at the line of Panzers behind her. She raised her hand to her throat. "Alright ladies, this is the big push. Work hard and diligently, we'll finish this up in no time," She said coolly, "Panzer vor!"
Three dozen Panzers revved their engines, gravel and mud flying everywhere from the moving treads. Maho roared forward, leading the charge. Beside the Panzers trailed the APCs and IFVs, carrying the infantry to the battlefield.
Within fifteen minutes rockets and missiles begin flying from the North Korean positions, missing Maho and exploding behind the column. The Panzer X fired at the direction of the enemy, and a ball of fire engulfed one unfortunate trench, blowing the occupants into smithereens. Bullets whizzed around, bouncing off the Panzer armor and impacting against the ground.
The APCs and IFVs began firing their cannons as the infantry dismounted. A man was shot in the chest, and he staggered backwards into the dirt. A Type 96 APC exploded as a rocket makes direct impact. Maho's Panzer X aimed at a two-story building, where two men were aiming a anti-tank missile. Maho subsequently destroyed it with her Panzer. She winced as her Panzer crushes several North Korean bodies. "Don't advance too far," She warned her driver, who stopped the tank.
"Keep the infantry covered," Maho ordered. The machine gun proceeds to begin mowing down North Koreans who are struggling to find cover against the Japanese onslaught. Bullets find their targets as soldiers fall to the ground, pierced in the body and head by the thousands of bullets that are launched at their way.
….
But this didn't mean the defending North Koreans weren't giving the Japanese a hard time. For the infantry out in the open, the only thing keeping them alive is hugging the ground while bullets fly above them, using their dead comrades as cover. Five soldiers were shot to ribbons as they ran across the open ground to hide behind a small boulder.
Kaito and Tanya were lying on the ground, pinned under fire.
"What the hell are we supposed to do?" Kaito hissed at Tanya.
"Just kill enough of them until they can't hold their positions," Tanya answered as she fired a barrage of bullets at the entrenched North Koreans, killing two.
"Dammit, we don't have time for that," Kaito muttered. "If only this thing could extend." He looked at his guntō.
"Kaito-sama, please stop daydreaming in a time such as now," Tanya growled.
Kaito sighed. "What else am I supposed to do?"
Tanya shrugged. "Wait," She sent out another burst, this taking down a sniper from a building. She unbuckled a grenade from her belt and pulled the pin. She hurled the grenade with all her strength towards the enemy trenches. The trench exploded, throwing several troops into the air. She grinned as she reloaded her Type 20. "This is why you need a rifle, Kaito-sama," She jeered, and Kaito clicked his teeth in annoyance.
…...
The turret of a Type 89 IFV burst into flame on Maho's left, who continued to spray down North Korean soldiers caught in the open. Bloody bodies littered the streets as the battle lines slowly crept forward. Two rockets flew towards Maho, but she maneuvered her Panzer to avoid contact.
"Commander! Enemy reinforcements coming around the street corner at four o'clock!" Maho's radio crackled. She waved her hand to the right, and six Panzers rumbled forwards to intercept the enemy reserves. Explosions rocked the tank back and forth, but none really damaging it in any way.
Damn, are there mortars? Maho cursed to herself.
"Commander, please get inside, it's way too dangerous!" Her loader screamed, and Maho slumped inside, closing the hatch.
"Drive up to the trenches and destroy any remaining enemies." She ordered. The Panzer X rolled forwards until it was right up against the North Korean trenches, crushing barbed wire and weapons. The troops manning the trenches scrambled out in a panic, only to be gunned down from behind. Their bodies either fell down backwards into the trench or were pushed down to the ground from the bullets.
…..
By now the infantry were able to get up and advance behind the wall of armor. Kaito and Tanya end up behind Maho's Panzer X.
Kaito unsheathed his guntō with anticipation. "Finally, my time to shine," He said excitedly.
"Not so fast, commander," Earl Grey dashed to the Panzer X, "Have you heard this saying: 'Grain by brain a loaf, stone by stone, a castle'?" She quipped.
Kaito stared at her. "What?" He demanded.
Earl Grey smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, a bad habit I got from the time I spent at St. Gloriana. This girl kept on saying quotes all the time," She said.
Tanya rolled her eyes. "What she's saying is to be patient," She exclaimed.
Kaito sighed. "Fine," he mumbled.
Hiroi fired his Type 20 as he dashed to the the wall of the first building by the North Korean defense. He managed to take down four enemy soldiers as he hugged the wall. They sure are stubborn...he thought as Nishi and Lasagna ran to the building.
"That was close," Lasagna panted.
"So, sir. What's the situation here?" Nishi asked Hiroi.
He wiped his brow. "Well, we definitely have the advantage here. It's really up to how many tricks the damn Koreans have up their sleeves. We've taken pretty heavy casualties trying to even make a dent in their defenses, and they're pouring all their reserves here, as if they know if we breakthrough here they'll fall apart," He quickly reloaded his Type 20 and leaned out from the corner of the building, after taking a few potshots, he took cover as bullets skimmed the corner. "They're damn stubborn, and they're not half bad either," He noted. "I don't see any enemy tanks." Bullets ricocheted off the wall, forcing Hiroi to move back. He heard the distinct whirring of several helicopters from above. "Oh shit." He muttered. "Take cover!" He shouted.
….
"Commander! Four enemy helicopters incoming!" Maho's driver shouted.
"Damn it! Just try to avoid drawing their fire." Maho ordered.
A North Korean helicopter aimed its machine guns and cannons at the Panzer X and fired. Dozens of shells and bullets bounced around the tanks, blowing two up in a fiery explosion. The crew scrambled out of their vehicles, screaming while burning up. Several more tanks were detracked, but still serviceable.
Maho's Panzer X was swayed back and forth by the hail of bullets, and the crew screamed in terror. Maho gritted her teeth. The helicopters advanced through the Japanese lines, strafing the infantry and vehicles. "God damn it…" She muttered. "Aim for the helicopter!" She ordered. The Panzer X turret turned, following one helicopter. The barrel pointed a few feet in front of the helicopter, and fired. The shell sailed across the sky, hitting its target. The helicopter fell down to the Earth, leaving a trail of smoke and flames. The pilot jumped out of the burning helicopter, but was unable to activate his parachute. He fell like an anvil, splattering against the hard ground.
The three other helicopters continued strafing the troops below, killing dozens of soldiers and destroying several more vehicles. Anti-aircraft guns and rockets fire at the helicopters, all of them missing. It was when Japanese helicopters appeared did the North Korean helicopters fall back.
"Advance!" Maho ordered, and the Panzers began to move forwards, pushing the already strained defenses back even more.
"We're finally pushing them back," Hiroi sighed with relief. He fired off a shot before dashing across the street.
Kaito and Tanya looked over from the Panzer X.
"I guess we can advance now," Tanya noted. "You can do your thing now."
Kaito grinned. "Thanks," With that he dashed out from the Panzer X and into the street.
"I guess I have to go chase him now," Tanya groaned.
Earl Grey smiled. "Go ahead," She said. Tanya glared at her, before going after Kaito.
….
The Japanese broke through the North Korean defense, and began to advance through the city.
Maho directed her Panzer X through the narrow streets, destroying sandbag positions and buildings filled with North Koreans. "Don't let them retreat or regroup." She ordered. The Panzer X fired at a group of North Korean troops, killing six, and wounding the rest. The machine gun finished off the rest.
Kaito ran through the main street, slashing and hacking through North Koreans. His guntō was dripping red with blood. Tanya and Earl Grey followed behind, taking down any North Korean daring to shoot Kaito down.
"Don't advance too far, Kaito-sama," Tanya called.
Kaito gave a thumbs up. He jumped in front of a North Korean officer, who tried to shoot him with his kneed him in the gut and stabbed him in through the throat. He pulled his guntō out and pushed the body to the ground. He sprinted out of the road as several North Koreans took aim at him. He rolled behind a brick wall. He unpinned a grenade and tossed it across the street, landing at the roadblock. It exploded, throwing bodies and wooden splinters everywhere.
"Yes!" He laughed. Tanya ran up from behind. She took aim at a second story window and fired three successive shots. The soldier fell out of the window and landed on a car.
…..
"Let's do this!" Lasagna shouted as he sprayed a dozen North Koreans down.
"Calm down, you're presenting yourself as a target," Nishi warned.
Lasagna laughed. "Let them try!" Nishi only groaned and continued to fire at the North Koreans.
"Please, let's not argue!" Naoki shouted. He reloaded his rifle and ducked behind a car. "Focus on the fight, then argue!"
…..
Several M1992 APCs created a fireline against Maho and the several Panzers with her. They began firing, but all of them missed.
"Fire!" Maho shouted, and the Panzers fired back. Three M1992s erupted into flames, while several others silenced their guns. "Let's move forward!" She ordered, and the Panzer group pushed the wreckage apart as they continued to go down the street.
They entered a small plaza, filled with more trenches and sandbags. As they began filing in the plaza erupted with gunfire, all centering on Maho. The entire Panzer X was racked by bullets. It rocked back and forth, but otherwise did no harm.
"Do not halt! Continue the assault!" Maho shouted. The Panzer X shrugged off all attacks and began firing back, bullets tearing through human bodies. The panzers scattered, covering the entire plaza. The North Koreans wavered, and began to retreat.
"This is it! Attack!" Maho said confidently. The Panzers started to push towards the retreating North Koreans, gunning down dozens of soldiers from behind. Suddenly the soldiers dispersed, revealing a heavily defended line, lined up with anti-tank rockets and missiles pointed directly at Maho. "Fall back!" She cried, and the Panzers tried desperately to retreat.
"Commander, there are several enemy tanks surround-" Maho eyes widened as the radio transmission turned to static, and heard a loud explosion. She opened up the hatch and looked around.
They were surrounded by several Chonma-Ho and Pokpung-Ho tanks, covering all their escape routes. Before she could react, they all fired at the same time.
The result was devastating. Four Panzers were now alight, the crew stuck inside to burn alive. One Panzer even exploded like a firecracker. One round penetrated a Panzer X and shattered, showering the crewmembers with thousands of hot metal shards. The Panzers were hopelessly stuck without any means of escape.
God damn it! Because of my stupidity, we're all going to die! Maho thought bitterly to herself. How are we going to get out of here? She thought desperately for a way to escape, but couldn't see any way out.
Suddenly two Chonma-Ho tanks exploded, the shells coming from behind. Maho looked over in surprise. Several more North Koreans fell victim to a series of explosions. The radio Maho held crackled to life as a high-pitched voice began screaming.
"What are you bitches doing? Santiago y Cierra!"
From out of nowhere a AMX-31 E came flying into the ranks of the North Korean tanks. It collided with a Pokpung-Ho and fired at point blank range. It exploded and the AMX-31 quickly moved back. From the alleyway several Type 10 tanks came rolling forwards. Within a minute all the North Korean tanks were destroyed.
Maho smiled as the AMX-31 E came to a halt next to the Panzer X.
The cupola opened and a girl with curly brown hair popped out. "Señora Maho, nice to see you," She said.
Maho nodded. "Good to see you too, La Caudilla," She replied.
Terms:
"AMX-31 E"(Original Tank): A Spanish Tank created in early 2023, it was sent to Germany to aid in its effort to push the Russian advance back from Berlin.
"La Caudilla": I don't know if this is an actual word but it's supposed to be the female version of "El Caudillo", which is a Spanish term for dictators throughout Iberia and South America.