Girls Und Panzer: World Tournament
Chapter 8: The Compound Team
Ōarai Girls High School, Ōarai Carrier
Three days has passed since the selections. The carrier was still anchored off the shore of England. Waves crashing alongside the huge bow as the gusty wind blows through the deck.
Miho was looking off from the ship's deck towards the land as sea gulls caw in the sky. She still thought about what Kraus said in that bustling orientation room.
"Day by day, us tankers fight for our titles, our positions. And Nishizumi here has her name and tale to herself, and she's not even out of high school…"
It really shouldn't bother me, She thought to herself, but she couldn't grasp it. How serious did the world take Tankery? Given Kraus attitude, it might even be worse than her mother's methods.
"Nishizumi-dono?" Yukari's standard trademark came up behind Miho.
"Hi Yukari," Miho said back, breaking a smile as she did.
"You alright? The last three days, you've been rather gloomy."
"Oh, it's just about the tournament…"
"About what the others said?" Yukari stated, reading Miho like an open book.
"Yeah… I just wonder… What have I gotten myself into?"
"It always seem like an accident huh? You enter Ōarai to avoid Sensha-Dou and you get drafted into the club. Now we're here in the tournament because of your name."
"But, am I really the right candidate?" Miho questioned. "There are better names than mine. Kuromormine, Selection University, those two even have my mother's and Shimada's endorsement. Why Ōarai?"
"A small tip in the balance can heavily favor one side over another," Yukari said. "Kuromormine lost twice over two years so they've got some catching up to do. I don't know much about University, but I'm sure they might've been busy this time."
Miho still wondered. Two more qualified schools than Ōarai and yet Ōarai was chosen? Did the International League just decided it wanted a better show? These questions swirled in Miho's head before a distant engine could be heard.
"Oh look! Here they are!" Yukari beamed up shouting and pointing in the sky. Up in the sky, Miho saw a very familiar aircraft approaching the carrier.
She smiled and headed towards the tank garages, one of the few places on this carrier able to land such a large flight.
Tank Garage, Ōarai Carrier
"Kuh, they're insane…" Momo said. The student council was also aware of the aircraft and had made their way to the garages.
"Well, it's not like it's the first time they've done this," Anzu said, hands on her hips.
"But we're suppose to meet up on carriers… not like this," Yuzu pointed out.
"They're just showing off by this point anyways!" Momo gritted. Ōarai never had a large funding behind it as a public school.
"Oh? You're already here?" Miho said as she approached them.
"Yeah, well, they sent us a last minute message telling about this, so we had to scramble to make sure their landing zone was safe and clear."
Miho saw the large patch of dirt that they planned to use and looked at the aircraft circling above. It was about to make its landing approach. The landing gear, 28 wheels in total, was put down as it made its final approach. It came down and with a roar as the wheels was put on the ground, the friction rubbing the wheels until the plane came to a complete stop. The large, familiar, emblazoned logo of "University Saunders Air Lift Division" was inscribed on the fuselage.
The first time Miho saw it, she stood in awe at the massive behemoth. Even now, she thinks it's still quite a beast of an airplane. Just looking at it makes one wonder 'how on Earth was this suppose to take off?' Yukari was in no less excitement as she was the first time she saw the Galaxy.
Once it made a complete stop, the back door of the aircraft opened up as a ramp. An engine roar was heard as an automotive was started. From the back ramp, two M4 Sherman tanks rolled off from the tank's fuselage. One was a regular M4 with a good old 75 mm cannon, and the other was a M4A1 with a 76 mm cannon. They approached the girls at a slow pace, before stopping several feet away. The double-door hatch of the 75 mm opened and a bumbling blonde girl came up cheering, "ALRIGHT! SAUNDERS! RE-PRE-SENT!"
"Hi Kay," Miho says back smiling at the arrival of an old friend.
"Miho!" Kay said as she stepped off the M4. "Nice to meet you again!"
She came up with a hand, and as Miho take it, gives her a nice tight bear hug. Despite her looks, Kay was pretty darn strong… too strong as Miho attempted to tap out.
"Whoops sorry!" Kay realized before releasing Miho as she caught her breath.
"Man, you're always dragging us into your troubles aren't you?" the short redhead with pigtails said.
"Hi Alisa!" Miho said once she composed herself.
"Well, I suppose this would be an interesting event to add to Saunder's name." Alisa said. As she said this, a third tank, a Sherman Firefly, exited the aircraft's fuselage.
"Is it just the three of you?" Momo looked at the tanks they've brought.
"That's not too bad isn't it?" Kay said, "This was all we brought last time."
"This isn't like last time. Not all the schools that came during that match are coming back."
"Oh," Kay reacted, "Well, maybe a few more from the team would volunteer if asked. Just wait for the carrier to arrive."
"We were suppose to link-up via carriers. What made you want to come via air?" Yuzu asked.
"Because we thought it would be cool."
"Of course." Momo said to that statement.
"And also," Kay said while gesturing towards the plane. Miho just noticed that there were more people coming out of the plane, along with a lifting machinery, carrying several boxes off the plane.
"What are they doing?" Miho asked.
"That's our logistics and maintenance team," Kay explained, "I'm planning to use your carrier as our forward operating base for the tournament while we help you out."
"Wait, can you do that?" Miho asked.
"Oh yeah!" Kay said, "You know how hard it is for most ports in the world to hold just one school carrier? If you're going to have a team built up of multiple school carriers, I think it's just best if we keep our tank and teams on one carrier so we all travel in unison!"
"But… What about school?"
"We got leave. 'Sensha-Dou activity' we said and they let the Sensha-Dou team have a short break." Kay said.
"Wow, private schools are really lenient huh?" Anzu said.
"So who else is coming?" Kay asked, "It's not just us against the world is it?"
"St. Gloriana, Anzio, Pravda said they are coming," Yukari said.
"Now it's Continuation and Chi-Ha-Tan too," Anzu corrected.
"Oh, that's sweet! All of the big names right? This is going to be an awesome tournament!"
"Yeah? Well we need you all to get here soon, or we won't be able to coordinate." Momo said.
"We'll need to do some training as a complete team unit if we want to win this. We can't just make up a makeshift team like last time." Miho explained.
"Ah! I see! I see!" Kay said. "So who're we're fighting first anyways?"
"The American Cadet Alliance," Anzu said.
"The Am-" Kay said, before laughing out loud. "Oh THOSE people!"
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, but I know them! Once in awhile they actually send some of their people over to us in exchange programs for training! I've fought lots of those guys!"
"Are they tough?" Yukari asked.
"Oh, they're fine. They're spirited, but shouldn't be that tough. See, they're kinda like us, focused on a single doctrine with simple equipments to keep their forces unified and logistics cheap. In fact, I know the current commander of the team right now."
Just as Miho was about to ask, Anzu's phone seemed to ring and she picked up. Some short confirmation and nods and she hung up. "Hey, the others, they're here already! Let's go greet them once we linked up!"
Carrier Loading Bay, Ōarai Carrier
Accommodations for carrier linking had been present as a form of exchange programs. These links, bridges really, allow students and materials to travel between two linked carriers. While carrier size differs between manufacturers, all linkages form at the loading bay which are all built at the same height level in every school carrier for logistical reasons from unloading on port to exchanging with any carrier they come across. One carrier can link up to two other carriers on both starboard and port side.
Ōarai school carrier ended up in a chain linking with five different school carriers in one day, maybe a record high in a while. The five schools all linked together, with Ōarai right in the middle. Some of the students innocuously saw this as another exchange opportunity, but some noted that Sensha-Dou team on the other carriers were making their way to Ōarai.
The Ōarai girls and Saunders were waiting at the linking exchange area of the loading bay. The large open doors to the port and starboard goes all the way to the other ends of the chain link, all the school carriers were accessible via walking. They saw students coming about, but it was real obvious who the Sensha-Dou practitioners were when they brought in their tanks.
A variety of tanks were laid out in the garage within the hour since the linkage. The type of vehicles made it clear who they were. The first to come in was Anzio with a P40 medium tank, Semovente self-propelled gun, and a L3/33 tankette. They parked their vehicles at one side of the bay, then Miho saw the captain exited from her P40.
"Anchovy!" Miho cried out. The captain of Anzio's Sensha-Dou team turned around to the voice and waved back. Miho also saw her lieutenants Carpaccio and Pepperoni exited out of the Semovente and the L3 respectively. The trio eventually came up to Miho's location.
"Miho! It is I! The Duce of Anzio here to assist you in your battle!" Anchovy said with joy.
Miho laughed at Anchovy's over the top greeting.
"Heh," Anchovy gave off a small laugh. "Though I was really surprised to hear that you're participating in the World Tournament. Thought it'd be Kuromormine or someone like that. No offense though, I'm glad you made it."
"Oh, none taken," Miho said back.
"We'll help you crush the opposition!" Pepperoni boasted.
"I'm not so sure about that…" Yukari softly spoke.
"By the way Miho…" Anchovy said, gesturing Miho to come closer. As soon as Miho is, she said in a whisper, "if we're coming to assist you, can I ask for a favor?"
"Uh… sure?"
"Can we stay and store our tanks on Ōarai?"
"Huh?"
"We don't have the, well, funds, to travel all over, or constantly transport our tanks. We… We can't sustain it otherwise," Anchovy said in a hushed, yet embarrassed tone.
"Uh, yeah, sure! I'll let the president know."
"Thanks!"
"Hmm? What was that?" Anzu asked.
"I'll explain later." Miho assured.
Next up was Pravda with their T-34-85's and IS-2. The trademark KV-2 was also present, driven with precaution as to avoid tipping it over. A short blonde girl soon came out of one of the T-34-85s, with another blonde coming out the other, though she was much taller than the first. The shorter one waited on the T-34 engine deck as a very tall black haired beauty approached from the IS-2 and the short one goes on her in a piggyback ride. The trio then headed straight towards Miho and the others.
"Katyusha! Nonna! Klara!" Miho greeted each of them.
"Hmph! You should be glad we're here to help you!" Katyusha said out loud with a boastful tone.
Miho smiled at their arrival, and glad to see Katyusha hasn't changed since the last time she saw her, physically and personality-wise.
"We're glad you could help us get through this tournament!"
"Oh please, we'd wipe them out ourselves if we could!"
"Yet, we never received an invitation. Perhaps for a reason, eh Katyusha?" Nonna said.
"I- Oh be quiet!"
Nonna and Klara smirked at Katyusha's stubbornness. The two surely loved teasing her.
"Anyways! I'm willing to work with all of you! I don't mind if I have to see those Kuromormine folks again!"
"We're not even sure Kuromormine is coming…" Miho gloomly remarked.
"Eh? They're not?" Katyusha said in a surprised tone. She started pondering, "I wonder why…"
"Beats me," Miho said back. She still thought about it. These last few days, she still has no contact with anyone there. And from what everyone's saying, no one knows what's going on with Kuromormine.
But her thoughts were interrupted as another set of engine and track clatter approached, but followed with Kay's "Wow!"
Miho looked over. A week ago, she wouldn't have recognized whose school these vehicles belonged to, but she knew from her remark after that practice match.
If St. Gloriana was on a verge of upgrades, this was one of the biggest jumps Miho saw since Ōarai went through after acquiring the Tiger Porsche.
A large Churchill tank was slowly crawling along the ground, but it was no simple Churchill. It was a lot wider than a standard type, but its biggest change was the turret design and the gun, a long gun with a spherical muzzle brake.
"Wow!" Yukari reacted to the mechanical beast. "An A43 Black Prince?!"
The 17-pounder gun was a large upgrade over the 75 mm on the Churchill , suddenly the infantry tank had a gun that matched its armor-fold. However, it was very slow, crawling over the loading bay slowly. Given St. Gloriana's fighting style, it might actually be an extreme version of their standard doctrine.
The Black Prince contrasted with the other tanks arriving. A Churchill was also present, but sped past the Black prince. Five other tanks zoomed around too, Cromwells, no longer the usual Crusaders that they had. All these tanks parked besides each other in the loading bay, alongside the other tanks.
"Damn," Kay looked, "St. Gloriana got a massive upgrade, huh?"
"Never heard this one over the net…" Alisa mentioned.
Meanwhile, the students from Anzio were in a mood short of shock. As an Italian-based school, they never had access to a lot of great armor, and now they were being left behind.
"The IS can still handle that tank, right Nonna?" Katyusha asked.
"The 122 should still be effective Katyusha," Nonna replied.
"Marvelous."
The occupants of the mighty vehicles were now approaching where the rest of the Sensha-Dou teams were.
"I never thought you were one to make impressions Darjeeling," Kay responded.
"Suppose once in awhile I have to step a notch from you," Darjeeling said, with her trademark cup of tea.
"Quite a big upgrade from your line-up of Crusaders and Matilda IIs…" Miho said.
"Yes, quite fantastic, isn't it?" Darjeeling said gesturing to her new tanks. "Rosehip and her platoon are now equipped with Cromwells. Better protections and benefits of the meteor engine. Rukuriri now has a Churchill, and I pilot the Black Prince."
"It sure is a welcome to the tournament fight!" Miho said back. She was rather hopeful now that she not only has support of her rivals, but even they have a few tricks up their sleeves and they're using it to help her.
"Anyone else we're missing?" Darjeeling asked.
"Chi-Ha-Tan and Continuation are already connected, so the team should be on the way…" Anzu said.
"The Saunders carrier is still some ways away," Kay said, "that's why we made the early arrival by plane."
"Just want to make a grand appearance?" Darjeeling said.
"You bet!"
"Let's skip the small talk, how are we handling this?" Katyusha asked from atop Nonna. "We're all staying on Ōarai for the tournament?"
"We've got some living spaces for you guys," Anzu said. "Apartment complex."
"Huh, should be fine. What about the tanks?"
"You can store them on our school too."
"Alrighty then, guess we'll have to gather the spare parts for the tanks…"
"I'll tell the rest of the team to start the transport," Klara said before taking out a phone.
"I suppose your mechanics are able to take care of all the tanks being kept here?" Darjeeling asked Miho.
"Nope, that's my people!" Kay responded, "they'll be able to handle anything in the storage!"
"We've got a lot of things to work on for this multi-school team…" Miho said. It would be less complicated if each school could make their own trip to the location, but there's no guaranteed that each place can support the many ships here and not all the schools that accepted the offer could make their trips.
More tanks were now approaching, but in a very loud fashion of charging into the loading bay. Colorful tanks painted up in a variety of green, brown, and yellow colors. However, even in comparison to Anzio, these tanks were not up to par with the rest of the competition.
But it's the thought that counts right?
The hatch on a Type 97 Chi-Ha opened up to show a beautiful, graceful woman with long black hair. If she was a lot taller, she may have been mistaken as an expressive Nonna.
"Nishi!" Miho greeted the commander of Chi-Ha-Tan's Sensha-Dou team.
"Nishizumi! It's an honor to fight with you again!" Kinuyo Nishi said while saluting.
"It's alright, no need for such formality…" Miho said regarding Nishi's greeting.
"My apologies!"
"It's fine."
"So most of us are here now except Continuation…" Momo said. Their area was getting filled with most of the Sensha-Dou members of Japan. It was an impressive collection of people, some of the students passing by were looking at the gathering, wondering what was up.
Then Continuation rolled in with their vehicles. Not just one like in the match against University, but two. One was their bumbly BT-42 assault gun and the other was a KV-1 heavy tank. Katyusha's face seemed to turn red when she saw that.
"Hey! That's ours!" She screamed towards the vehicle, thrashing about as Nonna nonchalantly maintains her balance.
"Huh?" Miho said.
The BT-42 and KV-1 parked alongside all the other tanks and the occupant of the BT-42 got out. An eccentric girl with a blue and white striped hat climbed out of the turret, carrying her trademark Kantele instrument. Following her was the rest of the crew, a short blonde girl that reminded Miho of Orange Pekoe and a rowdy redhead with pigtails.
"Well, looks like the gang's all here," Anzu said.
"Hi Mika!" Miho greeted the commander.
"Hello Miho Nishizumi," Mika said as she approached them.
"How'd you like to return to the victim, eh thief?!" Katyusha shouted out to her.
"Hmm? I don't know what you're talking about." Mika responded.
"The KV! You stole the KV from Pravda those years ago!"
"Please, I would not stoop so low as to steal equipments," Mika responded. "It was just sitting there without anyone loving it, so I took it in."
"So you do admit to taking the tank!"
"Continuation, we still have tabs on your school for the disappearance of our KV-1 about two years ago," Nonna said.
"I'm sure we could find some agreement in this argument right?" Mika responded.
"ENOUGH! ALL OF YOU SHUT UP!" Momo shouted loudly that pretty much anyone in the loading bay could hear her. "We got a more important issue on hand. This quarrel can wait!"
"O-okay," Katyusha said, startled by the sudden volume change.
"Either way, it's getting too crowded here, so let's head up to the deck and talk!" Anzu said.
"R-Right!" Miho agreed.
"Ooh, let's head to a restaurant while we're at it! Food's on us!" Kay shouted.
Conference Room, Ōarai Carrier
The large meeting table in the school's conference room could hold the 25 people that arrived earlier. The scene at the moment was only a bit short from chaos.
Kay managed to get herself a disproportionate amount of food on the way, with her two co-leaders looking at it in disbelief. The Anzio trio managed to get, of course, pasta in the room along with plates and the setting to eat with it. While these two group attended to their food, Katyusha, on Nonna's shoulders, was still glaring towards Mika, but she was indifferent and simply played on her Kantele, providing a nice background tune in the room. The St. Gloriana students were drinking tea and exchanging idioms. Nishi was there, just looking at the chaos, but keeping quiet to herself in a disciplined stance.
Miho and Yukari met up with Hana and Saori on the way here and, along with the student council, were sitting there amidst the chaos. While Momo looked like her irritation was reaching the breaking point, everyone was just gawking at the different attitudes of all the Sensha-Dou team captains in the room.
"Like a ragtag bunch of misfits huh?" Saori noted of the situation.
"Y-yeah…" Miho agreed, it was a wonder how this chaotic scene didn't happen during the University match.
"So not one of them know what happened to Kuromormine?" Hana asked Miho.
"Yeah, but that can't be," Miho said. "Why would my sister's school suddenly drop out of contact?"
"Radio silence maybe?" Saori asked. "Maybe there at some place they don't want anyone to know so they're keeping quiet?"
Miho wasn't sure on that one. It's not like many of Kuromormine's activity are "top secret" level to them. Maybe something did happen? "But it just doesn't make sense…"
"Don't worry Miporin!" Saori said, "We know that Kuromromine didn't just disappear! Each ship is tracked by MEXT! If something catastrophic happens, they're the first to know!"
"Do you think we can just contact MEXT then?!" Miho asked, wondering if she's finally got a lead.
"No, they keep locations confidential. It's only for their private use for security and stuff."
"Oh…" Miho said disappointingly.
"Miho!" Kay called for her attention while holding onto a chicken drumstick. "We'd like to get started on the World Tournament business!"
"Huh? Oh!" Miho said, surprised at the sudden order instilled among the captains. "Do you all know the rules of the World Tournament?" She first asked. If Yuzu did her business, a copy of the rules should've been sent out to everyone.
"Yep! Got it!" Kay said.
"I received it," Mika replied.
"Got it and read it over to the team!" Nishi said.
"Ha! These rules are to Pravda's advantage!" Katyusha said boastfully.
"Pasta!"
"Oh okay," Miho said, "um, did you all get some form of weapon?"
"Oh don't worry about us!" Kay said, "We know all about the Tankery business with the exchange programs with the cadets!"
"Oh right Kay, you said you were familiar with the American Cadet Alliance?" Miho remembered Kay's statement earlier.
"Do tell us what you know, it may be valuable intel," Darjeeling said. "Afterall, with their geographics deep in the states, it's nearly impossible for us to attempt and form of reconnaissance beforehand."
"Okay," Kay said. Everyone had their attention on Kay now. "The American Cadet Alliance Tankery team is actually very similar to our playstyle. Though they're not all Shermans like us."
"So how are they organized?" Momo asked.
"They use the old-fashion way with the tank battalions used in World War II," Kay explained. "So three medium tank company and one light tank company."
"Three medium tank companies… so about 42 M4 Shermans… and another 14 for the light tanks," Yukari deduced.
"But only 30 can be brought for the first match right?" Anchovy said.
"Yep," Kay said. "So they usually downsize the companies to fit in the limit. I'd expect we'd fight tanks belonging to a company of less than 9 vehicles each in the first round."
"So either way, we'll have to face those Sherman beasts…" Nishi said.
"You're positive they only have Shermans? I'd imagine as Americans they'd have a larger fund pool for other vehicles," Darjeeling said.
"Doubt it, I know the current commander of the team."
"Who?" Miho asked.
"Daniel Marshall. He use to exchange with Saunders back when he was in Patton High School Heavy Tank Corps," Kay explained. "He was pretty talented, and charismatic. Once he became of age, he signed up as a cadet. With a reputation behind him, he elevated himself to the commander of the cadet Tankery team within a few years, a feat enhanced by the downsizing of the U.S. Army."
"How talented? You can say that to about everyone on this table." Katyusha says.
"Well, during the national tournament three years ago…" Kay started, "he was a company leader of a diversion team filled with nothing more than old M4 and M3 Mediums."
"Yikes," Yukari said.
"Yet, his company survived the full brunt of the enemy, consisting of mainly German heavies, and managed to do more damage than the flanking company." Kay said. "The entire team attributed their success to his leadership, and that's how it all started."
"So sounds like he'll be a tough walnut to crack," Mika said as she plays a melody on the Kantele.
"What about the rest of his team? Do you know anything about them?" Miho asked.
"Hmm, well I heard he's got himself a co-commander with him ever since he became the commander of the Tankery team…" Kay said, "But I don't know too much about her."
"Okay, so from what I can get with the next match…" Miho assessed, "we got a commander with a good history behind him in charge of a military-oriented team. The team is most likely consisting of M4 Mediums and Stuarts."
"Sounds about right!" Kay assured.
"Do you think it is possible that they've changed their line-up over the years?" Miho asked.
"Unlikely," Alisa butted in. "The American Army are very finicky about logistics and funds. Once they've established a doctrine, they are not very likely to change from it until they see a need to. They've settled for the Shermans and Stuarts so they're using their funds to keep these running to keep cost low."
"Also, I imagine Daniel wouldn't really see much emphasis on upgrading either. His attitude to Sensha-Dou, or Tankery, is a lot like us and Anzio over there."
"Huh?" Pepperoni looked up from her pasta plate.
"He thinks of Tankery like a extreme sport, like a fun thing to do. That's not bad, but that means he doesn't want to put too much effort into winning if the old way to do it works fine."
"Even so, I recommend we stay on guard," Miho said. "This might look like just tradition to us, but to the community, we're a completely new competitor playing on a new level of Sensha-Dou."
"Why would they see us a threat?" Alisa said. "We're nothing, it's just like the time you girls were against us and we underestimated you."
"Well, stories of my… capabilities have been spreading internationally…" Miho said.
"What do you mean?" Katyusha asked.
"None of you know about what they call me overseas?" Miho looked at the clueless group as the other school members shake their head. "They call me a 'legend'."
"Legend?" All the others except Ōarai and St. Gloriana members had no idea. Was the Sensha-Dou community that secluded from the Tankery one?
"Miho's like a icon for Tankery practitioners overseas," Darjeeling replied. "From the tip of the arctic's to the depths of Antarctica. They know her name and follow it with an urge to usurp it."
"This is for the girl who abandoned her tank two years ago?" Katyusha says out loud, which Miho winced from that memory.
"Either way," Hana says, "with a name like that around in Ōarai. Our competitors are most likely going to be on edge if they come across us. I don't think we can expect them to use their usual tactics."
"Still doubt it," Kay said firmly. "If the Americans want any change in their funding or line-up, they have to go through the bureaucracy of their chain of command. They need approval from their commander, then the commander needs to get approval from the heads, et cetera."
"Well, let's hope that stops them then," Miho said. She wasn't so sure about the whole ordeal, but it's not like she's got flexibility on what tanks she has in store either. Aside from the eight tanks they have now, all the others are now dependent on what the other schools are bringing.
"So what tanks did you all bring?" Miho asked.
"From the type of deployment, we can currently spare three tanks," Kay responded. "Though with more to come!"
"We have five here we can lend," Darjeeling said, referring to the Churchills and Cromwells. "If it must, I can see what else I can bring."
"I'm afraid all I could spare is two," Mika responded, without missing a beat on her instrument.
"Pravda is willing to help out with four!" Katyusha said proudly.
"If you can hold them, the three that I came aboard with is yours!" Anchovy said.
"I have the entire team ready to be deployed!" Nishi relayed.
"W-we don't need that many Nishi…" Miho said
"I understand, but please, use the force I have to fill in any gaps in your team!"
Miho smiled, touched by the willingness of Chi-Ha-Tan. "Thank you Nishi."
"So with all that," Yuzu was typing on a laptop. "Excluding Chi-Ha-Tan, that's 25 already."
"I guess we'll need three of your tanks then Nishi," Miho said.
"Yes! I'll make sure of it!"
"Alright then, if we got this settled," Momo started, "you should go back to your carriers and get the entire promised tanks and the equipments to maintain them if you haven't already. The carrier linking is going to end in a few hours so hurry!"
"Yes!" The others agreed as seats clatter while they move out. When everyone was gone, only the Ōarai students were left.
"This is going to be quite chaotic, isn't it?" Yuzu mentioned.
"It's not as refined as the time against University," Miho said. "But it is still workable."
"Well Miho," Anzu said, "the organization of these compound team is up to you."
"I can't do all that by myself…" Miho whimpered.
"You can, you'll find a way," Anzu assured. "Leave the living accommodations for their team and tanks to us, you worry about how to command them into battle, just like against University."
Miho was left wondering on how she managed the last time. Maho was there, she helped restore order among the different captains. But Maho wasn't here this time, it was all up to her.
"Okay…" Miho said, building up courage. "I'll give it everything I've got!"
"That's the spirit!"
"We'll help you all the way!" Yukari said, referring to the entire Anglerfish.
"Alright! Let's do this!"
Tank Garage #2, Ōarai Carrier
Miho and the rest of Anglerfish team watched as the different tanks arrived from the school, elevated from the loading bay via the cargo elevators. Some heavy duty trucks borrowed from various parts on the Ōarai school carrier were used to carry the other luggages from each school. Mostly consisting of spare parts, ammunition, and a variety of other equipment each school felt they need to maintain their own tanks.
Kay and the student council oversaw most of the movement and storage, storing it in some poorly maintained, but empty garages at the tank field that were left overs from the time Ōarai had its own Sensha-Dou team. Within the hour and a half, the unloading was complete as the carrier linkages finally broke and each school carrier went off their own way. At the same time, Ōarai school carrier was on its way to its next destination.
Back at the derelict garage, the Sensha-Dou girls tried to make it bearable for their tanks.
"The tanks have to stay in this junkpile?!" Katyusha scolded towards Yuzu.
"Well, we didn't really have the time to prepare for all of these tanks…" Yuzu tried to justify. "But we did have the building checked for structural integrity, so it is safe."
"Well, the apartment you said we'll be in better not be half-destroyed either."
Miho arrived at the garage area where the other teams were in. Ōarai must have had an extremely large Sensha-Dou team before because the garage they are in now pales in comparison to the one housing Ōarai's current tank line-up, and all the tanks the other team brought could fit inside with space to spare.
St. Gloriana has three Cromwell tanks, a notable upgrade in its cruiser forces. Next to it was the Black Prince and the Churchill . Miho recognized the Churchill was Darjeeling's previous tank, but is now commanded by someone else. Saunders was there with Shermans; one Firefly, one M4A1(76), and several regular M4 Sherman, more than they said earlier since their carrier caught up during their meeting in the conference room. Pravda was also present with more than promised, five T-34-85s were present, with an IS-2 and a KV-2 coming along.
"I thought were only gonna get four tanks?" Miho asked.
"Well, who knows how long the trip is, gotta get more tanks in case some break down, or if you need to build up the force," Katyusha said. "But don't get the wrong idea that I'm just helping you because I can! We're still rivals!"
"Ha ha, right," Miho said. Ōarai could appreciate the availability of extra tanks.
She looked over the other tanks there. Anzio had their P40, Semovente, and the L3 tankette. With the new rules on the open-top self-propelled guns in Tankery, the girls of Anzio were actually eager to see if their relatively inferior tanks may have the time to shine in the World Tournament. Over at Continuation, they had a light-blue painted BT-42 and KV-1, with Mika playing her instrument on top of the BT while the other students were working on the tanks. These were by far the more peculiar tanks in the garage, though Continuation knew how to work these tanks with efficiency as shown in the match against University.
Finally at the end of the garage was the tanks of Chi-Ha-Tan. Ten tanks were present, five Type 97 Chi-Ha's, three Type 97 ShinHoTo variants, and two Type 95 Ha-Gos. Despite the inferiority of these tanks, Miho has hope that they'll deliver the best they could.
"Not so bad huh?" Kay said coming up to Miho, "my maintenance crew can maintain this part of the team so don't worry about that!"
"I'm sure Leopon would be glad to work with them!" Miho said.
"Great!"
"You brought some more tanks too?" Miho said, referring to the extra M4 Shermans they brought in.
"Well, first of all my maintenance crew also double as a tank crew."
"Like Leopon team."
"Right, and the rule said up to 50 tanks could be called in towards the end, so I just wanted to let you know that you've got more tanks ready to be deployed in the future."
"Oh, thanks!" Miho said appreciatively.
"It's still quite a messy team," Darjeeling came up. "A variety of tanks with different technical specifications, usage, and abilities. Are you up to it Miho Nishizumi?"
"I'll handle the organization before the tournament match!"
"Isn't that only four days away?" Hana asked.
"Yep, and we've already set course for the destination!" Anzu said.
"Wait, where is the match being held?" Miho asked.
"Sorry, today's been so busy we've been meaning to tell you earlier when we got the mail," Anzu said apologetically.
"The match location…" Yuzu said while taking out a letter. "It's in America, California specifically."
"The west coast?" Kay said while beaming.
"A place called Mojave Desert…" Yuzu finished before the room became silent.
"Desert warfare huh?" Kay said. "Now that's something you don't see every day."
"We'll have to start stocking up on desert equipment…" Miho followed up.
"Miho, I can go look up what we need for desert fighting," Yukari said. She always knew her hands around various equipment.
"Alright, I'll leave that up to you," Miho said.
"We can start training tomorrow as a cohesive unit," Anzu said, "tonight, focus on finding out how our new compound team should be organized, okay?"
"A-Alright!"
"You're excused Miho," Anzu said before turning to the garage. "Everyone! If you would follow us, I'd like to show you where'd you be staying at for the tournament!"
Anglerfish team was already leaving before she finished that sentence.
Miho's Apartment, Ōarai Carrier
Miho had an hastily drawn up diagram of the Ōarai Compound Team tanks. Thirty tanks currently on it, grouped up with their school group. It would be beneficial if the tanks stuck together with their school group so as to not lose efficiency with each other, though some flexibility is always acceptable.
A thirty tank team allow for a team of three groups with nine tanks each, with three more in a headquarters group. Anglerfish should be in headquarters, and should be the flag tank if given the choice. The other two tanks in the headquarters group should be the M3 Lee and the Type 89. The M3 lee because its versatility would give headquarters a flexibile stance, and the Type 89 because if heavy machine guns work, it is a dead tank in the front-lines. Plus, the Type 89, with its speed that Duck team is able to get out of it, could act as a runner and scout if needed. If they don't have a choice and a flag tank is randomly chosen, it would replace the Type 89 or the M3 Lee in the Headquarters.
For the other three groups, or companies, Miho named them Dandelion, Sunflower and Jasmine again. She had Sunflower be the main assault company while Dandelion and Jasmine were supporting. With that, Sunflower had access to most of the heavy hitters such as the St. Gloriana's infantry tanks and Pravda's tanks, adding in the Cromwells as well for scouting. As the majority was her school, Darjeeling would be company commander with Katyusha second.
I'll never hear the end of that from Katyusha, Miho thought, which she giggled to herself.
Dandelion has Saunder's Shermans, backed up with Chi-Ha-Tan's tanks. To supplement firepower if they find it lacking, the Tiger Porsche was added to their ranks. Kay would be the company commander and Nishi second.
Jasmine had Continuation, Anzio, and Ōarai. It was a messy line-up compared to Dandelion and Sunflower, but the vehicles seem to work find with each other. Miho entrusts the team to Anzu, but Mika would be second-in-command should the Hetzer fall.
Miho created various scenarios in her head regarding her current organization and any possible ones they will face in America. She looked up at the computer that showed image results from a search on the Mojave Desert. Apart from the usual desert fauna, the large mountains present proved to be quite an issue. Would they restrict her movement across the field? Could the enemy use them as a point of attack if they can secure it? Miho couldn't tell without surveying the land, and she wouldn't be able to do that until the day of the match.
Miho sighed as she gave her organization one last thought. What if, in the end, the organization didn't matter? Things fell apart against University when they brought out the Karl. Miho snapped herself out of this thought. We need to stick together!
She took out her flip phone, and was disheartened by what she saw.
No notifications.
Not one from her sister.
"Maho… what is going on?"
Miho woke up the next day still pondering on her moves as the commander. It was their day off from school, but she still headed there in her tank uniform for the training. When she got to the tank garages, she was very surprised to see a fourth-generation main battle tank on the field. A rather familiar one with tracks digging into the ground coming from the parking lot. A Type 10 tank.
Miho started towards the garage, inside she sees Turtle team and a very familiar face. "Instructor Ami!"
"Ah! Miho Nishizumi! Good morning!" the JGSDF officer greeted Miho. Upon closer look, Miho saw that she was looking through the firearms that she brought on board. "I take it you need some help operating these hardware right?"
"Yes, could you help us?" Miho asked.
"Oh I can, but remember, none of this is official," Ami said. Miho just noticed that Ami's uniform wasn't that of a JGSDF dress uniform, rather a simple formal dress with no military decorations or insignias whatsoever.
"Okay, I understand!"
"Anyways, why don't I show you how to use this first? Might make the lessons easier later," Ami said gesturing to the submachine gun, the MP40, in her hand.
"Uh, okay," Miho agreed, approaching her. When Miho did, she noticed Ami folding out a long rod from the firearm out.
"So," Ami came up to Miho. "Right handed or left?"
"Huh?"
"Right it is," Ami said and started using her leg and free hand to manipulate Miho's body. "Left leg forwards, right back, hold that here…"
"Wha- wait a second," Miho muttered as Ami shifted her body stance quickly.
"And then your left hand here, there we go!" Ami finished up and putting the firearm in Miho's hands.
At that moment, Miho found herself aiming the submachine gun with her right hand on the trigger, left on the handguard, and the stock lightly pressing on her shoulder. She inspected the form of the submachine gun and noted the sights on top. Miho instinctively pressed her cheek on the metal stock as she looked down the sights, firearm barrel pointing down.
"Huh," Ami seemed surprised. "Have you held a firearm before?"
"Only the pistol," Miho said as she looked towards Ami and lowered the submachine gun further.
"Because you're holding it like someone familiar with this kind of stuff," Ami pointed out. Miho did noted that the firearm, despite being quite heavy, was actually being held comfortably in her hands.
"Beginner's… luck?" Miho tried to explain. She had no idea why, but she needed some explanation after her performance with the pistol back in Britain.
"Possibly," Ami said.
"We can use part of the gunnery target range for the firearms," Anzu said whilst chewing a dried potato. "We can organize the weapons training there."
"Alright, we'll do it after our tank training," Miho said.
"What's this? Miho's become a rootin' tootin' kraut?" Kay's voice was heard from behind.
"What?"
"Nothing!" Kay said teasingly. Alisa and Naomi were alongside her. "So, a MP40 huh?"
"Yeah…" Miho said looking at the submachine gun in her hands. "Do you all have something like this too?"
"Oh yeah, we've brought along our Thompsons in our tanks."
"You've been storing them on Saunders all this time or just bought them?"
"We've had them. Exchange programs with the ACA showed us we might need them for international matches."
"Okay," Miho said. "If you know how to operate them, do you think you can help in the firearm training as well?"
"Sure!" Kay said enthusiastically.
"So what's the tank organization?" Kay asked.
"Let's wait for everyone to arrive first," Miho said.
Sure enough, around 10 AM that day, most of the tank crew of all the schools were there. Though the other tank members were checking on their tanks, the commander of each school were with Miho in the main tank garage.
"Alright commander," Darjeeling said. "What's the plan now?"
"Okay," Miho said. Miho laid out the organization of the groups as Momo write down the composition on a chalkboard behind Miho. Who was in charge and what their purposes were.
"I'M second in command?!" Katyusha roared out loud when Miho got to that.
"Oh bear with it," Kay reacted.
"Grr, fine." Katyusha conceded.
"Anyways, all this seems fine, but I'm just worried about Jasmine's team composition," Kay analyzed.
"It'll be fine!" Anzu said. "We only have a limited amount of tanks so some mix-up is bound to happen."
"I don't mind at all," Anchovy said regarding her position. "Last time we had a group like this, we took down the Karl."
"I have no objections," Mika said in the back, still playing a tune.
"I'll take whatever and perform my best!" Nishi responded.
"I think the organization is slapdash," Darjeeling said, "but have faith in our performances on the field.
"Still wish I was company commander…" Katyusha muttered.
"Perhaps next time Katyusha," Nonna comforted the girl on her shoulders.
"If everyone is okay with this…" Miho started, "Let's go out and try some maneuvers! See if we can stay together."
"Okay," Kay said, standing up. "Let's mount up! Move out!" and promptly walked out towards the other garage.
Everyone else followed afterwards.
Training Grounds, Ōarai Carrier
Miho was observing the rest of the team's movements on the field from her Panzer IV. Assisting her was Rabbit and Duck team as they are part of her headquarter.
Performance why, they aren't half-bad. Though by no means up to the standards Miho saw during her time in Kuromormine, the cohesion of the rather mixed up team was up to par. No doubt due to the communication on the company level. Chi-Ha-Tan working with Saunders as they maneuver down a path, the Tiger following. Sunflower still has some arguments from Katyusha at the start with conflicting ideas, but they eventually died down. Miho hopes they wouldn't come back at an inopportune time. Jasmine was indeed a strange composition, but somehow they are able to make it work. The main issue seemed to be the KV-1, with its mechanical unreliability carried over from history. However, after the first few hiccups, the Continuation crew members in the KV managed to make it work to their favor. Finnish ingenuity perhaps? Miho didn't know, but if it worked she wasn't going to object to whatever method was used.
After finding out that the team composition worked out, Miho arranged mock battles between the different groups to test out their advantages and disadvantages. Dandelion fighting Sunflower, Sunflower fighting Jasmine, Jasmine fighting Dandelion. Only a few times as they wanted to be conservative with the ammunition and parts.
Sunflower was indeed strong on a frontal engagement, especially now that they had a 17-pounder involved for St. Gloriana. Pravda in their part had the biggest guns available with their 122 and 152 mm guns. She noted that any tank that sees their formidable heavy tanks looking towards them, they panicked and withdrew. A fear tactic to consider as well.
Dandelion was by far the more balanced of the three companies in terms of maneuverability and firepower. Chi-Ha-Tan tanks lacked in armor, but can keep up with the Shermans no problem. They could be used as suppressive fire as the Shermans and Tiger move in for the kill.
Jasmine allowed for a mixed combat effort. Their fast tanks like the L3 and the BT-42 allowed for quick hit-and-runs or the like while their tank destroyer and self-propelled guns can stand back and plink. If it comes to it, the heavy tanks like the KV and the Char B1 can act as bullet sponges as well like Sunflower. A strange group indeed, but any changes may make the others lose their main strengths so Miho kept it as is.
A change in the training routine when it came to target practice was the emphasis on the machine gun on the tanks. Beforehand, the machine guns on the tanks were near useless. The machine gun on the hull couldn't be used more than just for that extra crew member to have something to do, and the coaxial was pretty much only good for ranging. Now with the new rule of being able to use it against exposed crew members, usage of the machine guns had become more liberal. Unfortunately, none of the tanks at hand have any heavy machine guns, so they won't be able to use those against lightly armored vehicles.
While one group take their tanks out to their gunnery range, the others were resting, resupplying, or if not familiar with the usage, training with firearms. Ami was there on the smaller range a distance from the tank gunnery range teaching the students how to use them. Miho approached Ami in one instance while Hippo team were taking their paces with the MP40.
"So how is it?" Miho asked.
"Not too bad," Ami responded. "Most could use the submachine guns and pistol no problem, but some are also too nervous or scared to use them, or flat out can't hold them properly."
That was understandable, Miho didn't expect everyone to take up that a personal firearm so easily. But... "What do you mean 'can't hold them properly'?"
"Well take Rabbit team for example, they're tiny," Ami puts it out bluntly. "MP40 in a proper firing mode," she says while locking the MP40 stock open, "is just too long for them, and using it folded just removes accuracy."
"Ah, I see."
"Yes, plus the fact that some tanks have way more machine guns than others, M3 has two already on the turret and cupola. So out of the entire rabbit team, only their commander, Azusa I believe, volunteered to carry a pistol."
"Okay, no need to force people to be armed," Miho said. "Also Ami."
"Yes?"
"About the Tankery rule for scouting."
"Mmhmm?"
"What can you teach us about defending our base from possible infiltrators?"
"Aside from shooting back?"
"Is there any other way?"
"No, you'll have to post guard duty and such to watch for any incoming enemy. Shoot them with these dummy rounds and incapacitate them. Then capture them. That's pretty much the only way you're going to be able to stop infiltrators."
"I thought as much…" Miho said. This one part of the match is sure to leave everyone on an edge. What if the American Cadet Alliance decided to attack on this night?
"What about you Miho? Do you plan to send out scouts?" Ami asked.
"Not too sure about it at the moment…" Miho responded. "But if we do…"
"Make sure you tell the League about it," Ami said.
"What?"
"Any attempted infiltration on a competitor, you need to let the League know ahead of time."
"How do we do that?"
"They've got an email."
"A-" Miho stumbled, "They have an email?"
"Oh yeah, it's in the rule book, on the very end. Bolded words, 'Contact Us'."
Miho was stunned. Was it really there that whole time? She thought the league was untraceable with those letters they've been getting. She never thought of any possible electronic communication when she considered just how the League manages its public relations by being invisible. In a sense, they still are, but at least they've got a point of contact.
"Thanks Ami, I'll check it out another time," Miho said gratefully.
"No problem!" Ami said, "but you better get back to work now commander. Everyone here is now relying on you to get them through this," she said before turning her attention back at the practice range. Miho could still hear the cannon roars of the tanks at a distance.
It was a lot of work managing such a large team. Maho had assistant instructors helping her manage Kuromormine, but Miho was on her lonesome. Lots of work, but a must to survive the tournament.
The American Cadet Alliance. The match is three days away and in the middle of a desert. A North Africa-style battle huh? Miho thought to herself.
But she felt it inside her that the fight will be anything but one alluding to the 1942 way of fighting.
Another chapter done!
And right before Thanksgiving week too for us Americans. I have a vacation planned already so I may or may not be able to make a new chapter next week. Keep your fingers crossed I suppose.
It's hard writing all the characters in the anime and try to get across even their main personality. Remember, the TV anime and movie altogether has 68 named characters (and that's not counting those from Little Army and other spin-offs). I'll do my best, but please bear with me if Katyusha doesn't sound as tsun-tsun or Mika doesn't sound as cryptic.
Oh and yeah, Continuation did steal a KV from Pravda. It's canon.
Also, if you got the time within the Thanksgiving Break (for Americans and other practitioners) or any time in general, I highly recommend the movie "Hacksaw Ridge" by Mel Gibson. The movie cinematic are well done and the story very direct and on point. Only word of warning is that if you are sensitive to gore, you probably should bring a bag or something because man, was that a lot of blood.
Anyways, thanks for all the support everyone who's been with me till now! If you look forward to whats next, feel free to Follow and Favorite the story! Drop a review as well if you want to express how you feel because I'm always curious! Things are only going to get wilder from here on out!
Edit 23/11/2016: Changed a detail about time it takes from port to Mojave after looking at Google Maps.