Author's Note

An update where I am on time. The planets must be aligned.

A little announcement before we start here. While writing this chapter one of my friend pointed out that the characters Kitagawa Satoshi( the guy that enjoys music) and Okita Toshi (the guy with the photographic memory) had names that are similar enough to cause confusion. Imagine calling one Satoshi and another Toshi. Heck even I got them mixed up a few times. I know I am awesome to not noticed something like this earlier am I right? Haha. So to make my life and hopefully yours easier, I changed Okita Toshi to Okita Takashi. I did it for the earlier chapters as well so yeah. Sorry for the sudden change. Hope this is not a pain in the ass.

Another thing...I swear this is the last announcement. This is my first tank battle chapter so I am trying to find a way that is exciting to tell it. I tried a multiple point of view approach for this. If it is not up to what you expect please let me know about it so that I can improve on future chapters. Again, do leave a review if there is anything you think I can improve on. it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Now that that's out of the way, let's continue on with the story! Enjoy!

Chapter 6

"This is stupid." I heard over the radio of the Panzer 3 as I poked my head out of its commander cupola to look around the dense jungle. Four of our tanks are all lined up in a firing line in the jungle with all guns aimed at the only logical approach while me and my crew in the Panzer 3 are positioned to provide flanking fire at the kill zone.

The match was supposed to be a small demonstration but it had attracted quite a few interested parties present. Besides the principals of the two schools involved in the match and Sparta High School's committee members, I heard that Maho and her mother, Mr Tsuji, the MEXT official, Mr Kodama, the Senshado Director, and a small time news station is present along with the rest of Hera's High School's population.

"As someone once said, if it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid." I answered as I continued my lookout. Sure enough the loud boom of a Matilda Mark 2's 2 pounder was heard moments later. "Tank ahead full!"

In the Mathilda in question~~~

"Exactly like how they plan it." Kyouko said to herself with satisfaction. She then looked at her radio operator. "Have the team to commence attack. Tight wedge formation with Matildas in the centre and two Somua S35 on either flank. We will try to hit that Panzer 3 flag tank. If they fall back we will just roll up their flank and end the match."

In the VIP room~~~

"Looks like your students are having some trouble there." Headmistress Kuribayashi commented to Mr Kenshin who was sitting beside her.

"To be able to locate the enemy and come up on their flank with such speed could only mean a reconnaissance sometime before the match. Since the plans are in the enemy's hands this match is decided." Mrs Nishizumi commented.

Mr Kenshin wordlessly watch the match as shells starts firing. On the giant screen in the room, he sees the Panzer 3 frantically zigzagging to dodge the hail of shells fired by four Somua S-35 and three Matilda tanks. Something is off in his student today. The ambush itself made sense. A firing line to pin down the enemy and flanking fire to end the game is the most basic of tactics Keiji employed. But there was no bait for the trap. That is not something that Keiji would miss. To compound his confusion further, Keiji is leading the enemy team away from the ambush site. Maybe he is not used to Senshado or is he nervous with what was at stake?

"This seems troubling." One of the Sparta High's committee member said.

"Please do refrain from making any hasty conclusion." Suzaku said nonchalantly while being seated behind his headmaster. He had requested Mr Kenshin to view the match out of curiosity the day earlier but he does not seemed interested in the match whatsoever. "I fought with him in many SurCom matches and one thing I know for certain is that the fight is just getting started."

"And yet he is now being boxed in by the enemy." Mrs Kuribayashi pointed out.

"That's because he let's them." Suzaku said leaning back to his seat giving off a bored impression. "He would allow his enemy to hunt him and then turn the table on them ending everything. That is how he earned the nickname Wounded Wolf. Though beaten to death, the wounded animal would fight like a devil."

"That and Senshado is another sport. They are different." The head of the Nishizumi style said losing further interest in the match.

"Mother, I went through some of his matches" Maho whispered into her mother's ear. "He is using one of his more common tactics. Keiji would show the enemy what they want and use it to lure them into an ambush. It is what he is doing now."

"We will look at the outcome then." Mrs Nishizumi replied nodding at her daughter.

In the Panzer 3~~~

"Takashi hard left and up speed!" I yelled into the intercom and the tank responded immediately just barely dodging another 47mm shot from a Somua. "Satoshi they done yet!?"

"5 more seconds boss!" Satoshi announced after contacting the rest of the team.

"Takashi get us there!" I ordered and the tank veered violently to the right and continued at high speed. "Soujiro give me all the AP rounds! Kyoji except flag tank hit the tracks!"

"Fucking time!" Kyoji called out in excitement as he fired the 50mm gun of the Panzer 3 for the first time in the match. Disappointingly, it missed the Matilda it was intended for."

"You missed you idiot!" I yelled out. "Do you know how to use that thing!?"

"Fuck off! It's hard enough as it is and I can do without the yelling!" Kyoji argued back as Soujiro quickly load another round and signalling Kyoji. "Firing!"

This time the round flies true to its intended target. The Mathilda, with its left track hit, veered suddenly to the left and rammed into the Somua to its left detracking its hapless neighbour. The impact must have caught the Mathilda's gunner by surprise because the Mathilda's gun went off point blank at the side turret armour of the Somua taking it out of the match.

"Damn fine hit! Now slap the flag tank on the turret!" I instructed and another shell flew to the Mathilda flag tank bouncing off the turret. In response, three tanks fired their guns at us. "I think we pissed them off!"

"Ten seconds to target!" Takashi announced. As if like clockwork, Satoshi started counting down on the team frequency

"Valentine 1 to all tanks! Sending rounds!" Ryoji yelled on the team's frequency when we reached a small clearing. His announcement is answered by the treeline on the opposite end of the clearing up to life with cannon fire.

Almost immediately, two Somua had their tracks shot out from underneath them by a hail of lead. Completely trusting the aim our teammates, we weaved through the storm and made a hard right. Barring the enemy flag tank that continue to pursue us, the whole of the Hera team is now pinned down by the constant shelling. If any of them were to turn and pursue me in the Panzer 3 they would be exposing their sides to the rest of my team and that would be the end of the match. For them to rejoin their commander in the flag tank they would need to push through my team's firing line. Leaving behind the ambush site, my team continued to lead the pursuing Mathilda into our final point of interest.

Knowing that they need to push through the Sparta boy's firing line to continued, the still mobile Matilda and Somua continued their advance with the two immobalized Somua providing cover fire and working as shields for their teammates. Very quickly, a shot went into the track of Ryoji's Valentine tracking it and denying his team the ability to maintain the firing line while conducting a fighting retreat.

"Damn it! We not going anywhere! All tanks hold the line!" Ryoji announced on the team's frequency as two more shell hits his turret making a loud metallic scraping noise before flying off at an odd angle. "We won't be falling back now!"

In the VIP viewing room~~~

"An interesting turn of event if I have to comment on it." Mr Kenshin said satisfied by Keiji's carefully laid out plan. His student never intend engage the opposing team with the initial formation to begin with. He was actually luring the enemy with his own tank and forcing a frontal engagement before separating the flag tank from the rest and taking it out. "Do you still think my student is in trouble Mrs Kuribayashi?"

"It's a frontal assault with equal numbers. The team with more experience would triumph." The headmistress of Hera countered. She is, however, now watching the match more intently than before.

In the Panzer 3~~~

"I think they are trying harder to hit us don't you think?" I asked as our tank dodged another shot. Our tank replied with one of our own.

"Really? I think they are still doing the same." Satoshi commented while receiving a report from the rest of the team. " Two Valentine tracked. They will be holding."

"I guess we should motivate them more." I mentioned as I opened the Panzer 3's commander hatch and poked the upper half of my body out of the tank.

"What the heck are you doing?" Soujiro asked looking up at me.

"Giving them extra motivation." I answered as I smiled and waved at the Mathilda behind us. In response, the Mathilda increased its rate of fire. "I think they got angry."

"That's great." Soujiro said giving me a smile. "Now...can you kindly get back in the tank before you have your blood spattered all over the bloody tank!"

"Satoshi we are almost at the cliff!" Takashi announced with a chuckle as I got back in while grumbling at Soujiro for being a killjoy.

"This is Panzer 3! Engagement code 'this is Sparta'! Send them in!" Satoshi announced on the team frequency after hearing Takashi.

Back at the ambush site~~~

"Valentine 1 here! We are pinned by heavy fire! We can not send them yet! Too much fire!" Ryoji replied in frustration.

Ever since the group started their static defence they were successful in tracking three of the four enemy vehicle before them. But since they tracked the third Hera tank, they have stepped up their effort to breakthrough the defensive line. Barring the BT-2, Valentine and Somua's thick frontal armour would shrug off any shell fired by both team. But from the side, turret included, both type of tanks are vulnerable. Knowing this the girls acted swiftly. The three immobile tanks provided cover fire, forcing Ryoji and his group to face them, while the still mobile Somua tries to flank Sparta's formation while using their team's tanks as shield. It is now almost in position to fire flanking shots at the whole Sparta team.

"Negative! We are sending them now!" Satou called out over the radio. "Valentine 2 here! We are charging that Somua on the right! Request cover fire! BT-2 that should give you five seconds! Can you make it!?"

"Who are you asking!? Of course I can jolly well make that!" Tetsuo yelled back from the comms of his BT-2.

"We don't have a choice now do we!?" Ryoji asked rhetorically. "Cover fire!"

At the same time, Ryoji and Fukuda's Valentines both started firing their shells at a rapid pace. Within those vehicles, the crews worked furiously in handing fresh shells to the loader who removed the still hot and now empty shell before shoving the new shell in, burning their hands in the process. The gunner used the now short loading time to divide their fire between the three vehicles in their sights, forcing the three tank's turret to face them lest they have their weak side turret pelted with 2 pounder shells. The interior of the Valentines quickly heat up due to the heat radiating off the multiple empty shell casing now lying all across the bottom of the tank. The air is now thick with the smell of cordite as the ventilation fan is unable to keep up with the amount of gas that is being generated. Everyone was sweating furiously even with all the hatches opened. But in that moment, no one noticed the discomfort. In that moment, they were only focused on doing their task to the best of their ability. They need to cover their teammates and that is what they were going to do.

While the other two Valentines started firing, Satou's Valentine violently traversed to face the flanking Somua. Then like a caged starving beast let loose on its prey, the tank charged forth with reckless abandon. Satou directed the gunnery while making sure their on course to their final target, giving out adjustments to both driver and gunner. The gunner focused on correcting his aim making sure to get the Somua's attention while the loader focus on making sure that the 2 pounder keeps firing. In that moment, they are only focus on doing their best. They need to create a five second window and that is what is going to happen.

Directly behind Satou's Valentine, Tetsuo and his crew in the BT-2 rammed into the Valentine and revved their engine, giving their shield any extra speed possible. Tetsuo, the driver and commander, was focus on optimizing the tank's RPM for the extra speed boost. Kasuma, the gunner, was outside the turret waiting for the right time to have his tank pull away from their guardian. Tamaki, the loader and radio operator, focus on confirming their future course. They need to make the window given to them and that is what they are going to do.

The Sparta tank crews knew that this fight is not winnable. No matter how hard they trained in the week prior to this they all knew that they would not be able to beat seasoned tankers in a frontal assault. But that is not what matters now. What matters now is that they do their best with the limited training they have. For each one of them, this is a matter of Sparta high school pride. They would not permit themselves to do nothing less than their best.

Due to the shells fired at them, the three immobalised Hera tanks were forced to face the two Valentine in front of them and allowed Satou and Tetsuo to proceed unharassed. Enjoying a protected flank, Satou and his tank traded shots with the flanking Somua. Both side traded shots that would bounced harmlessly from their opponent's frontal armour. All this while Satou's Valentine, boosted by Tetsuo's BT-2 from behind, got ever closer to the Somua.

When it's crew finally realised what was going on, it was too late, even though they threw the Somua into reverse. Even though they threw the tank into a hard right turn. It was too late. Although the Valentine was a slow vehicle, it was fast enough to ram into the Somua in front of it. It was fast enough that the force of the collision threw the crews of both vehicles out of their seats. It was fast enough to create a collision that distracted the other Hera's tanks.

The combined effort of all four tank had bought Tetsuo's crew the time they needed. Just moments before the collision, Tetsuo peeled his tank away from Satou's Valentine and sped away with directions from Tamaki. By the time Hera's tankers come to their senses, the BT-2 was already doing 40km/h and nearly out of effective gun range. When the Hera's tankers starts shooting at the BT-2, the shots were already missing by a wide margin.

"BT-2 to Panzer 3, we will be on target!" Tetsuo announced over the team's frequency as the three friendly tanks behind them continued to fight on.

In the VIP viewing room~~~

"Its getting interesting." Suzaku commented sitting up. The events of the battle has finally caught his attention.

In the Panzer 3~~~

"Alright Kyoji, the cliff's to our left in ten seconds. You know what to do. Fire in your time." I said giving Kyoji a gentle pat on the shoulder.

Kyoji merely nodded in response as he made minute adjustments to the Panzer 3's 5cm cannon. His breathing is now slow and steady. Takashi, knowing that we are about to take the deciding shot of the battle, steadies the metal beast as much as he could. He was aided by Takashi who calls out any obstacles in front of the tank. They both know that every change in direction or speed would increase the chances of Kyoji missing his mark. Soujiro already has another shell on his lap and his hands ready to reload as quickly as he can. He knows that if this shot miss there will be a very small window for a second shot. I faced the front of the tank and counted down the seconds for us to reach the edge of a 8 meter steep drop.

Kyoji was quiet when he fired the cannon. No one questioned him. We all knew that he needed to concentrate and even talking would break the delicate concentration for such a shot. Then again, no one needed the announcement since everyone in the tank could hear the cannon firing. The shell flew straight and true. Its destination the Matilda's right track. Kyouko and her crew saw the shot coming and drove slightly to the left to evade the shot. Their efforts were wasted. Kyoji had accounted for this and adjusted his aim before firing. Kyouko and her crew drove straight into Kyoji's shell. Sure enough, their right track shatters at the point of contact and the Matilda veered violently to its right, stopping only inches away from the drop.

Upon hearing my confirmation of the hit, Takashi took the tank to the left so that we would approach the Mathilda from behind. He gave the turn a wide berth so that we would be at full speed when we reached our target. While lining up for our final approach, we heard a loud cackle over the team's frequency. It looks like Tetsuo and his crew in the BT-2 made it in time. Looking at the Panzer 3's 4 o'clock, I caught the sight of them mid-flight before seeing them making a spectacular landing to the right of the Panzer 3. All was according to plan.

Even from behind we knew that neither the Panzer 3 nor BT-2 could penetrate the Matilda's thick rear armour. It was, after all, built as an infantry support tank and therefore have thick armour since speed was of no concern to the tank. It just need to keep of with infantry. On the other hand, both the Panzer 3 and BT-2's frontal armour is not thick enough to shrug off the shells fired by the Matilda. It would be an advantage for Kyouko and her crew if we actually plan to keep firing until a lucky shot penetrated the Matilda. But that was not my plan.

Probably knowing what was going to happen, Kyouko's tank concentrated its fire on the Panzer 3, the flag tank. As long as they were able to hit us in the Panzer 3 they would win. As if Takashi would allow that. With some directions from me, Takashi weaved the Panzer 3 through a hail of 2 pounder shells without missing a beat. We are ramming the Matilda off the drop and we would not be denied its conclusion.

Both the Panzer 3 and BT-2 reached the Matilda at the same time, ramming it at full speed and making a loud crash in the process. The momentum of both vehicles transferred over to the Matilda and pushed it over the edge and rolling down the drop. It came to a stop on its stop on its back at the bottom of the drop. It took a second or two but the knock out flag finally popped out from the tank signalling an end to the match.

The announcer stuttered as she announced the outcome of the match. But we already knew the outcome. Satoshi announced the news over the team's frequency and everyone starts cheering. That was one heck of a fight and we were all satisfied that we were able to gave it our all. The result of the match itself was of little concern for us as long as we felt that we have given our best.

"This is Panzer 3! Damn good fight out there! Great job everyone!" I yelled on the team's frequency. I was responded with more cheers and inaudible excited chatter from everyone. "Let's see what the school's committee thinks of this!"

In the VIP viewing room~~~

"That's something unexpected." Mr Kenshin said clearing his throat. The room was dead silence ever since the result was announced. No one expected the match to be brought to an end in such a manner. Well, except for Suzaku who was pacing the room barely able to keep his excitement down.

"Unexpected?" Suzaku asked in disbelief. "That was classic Suzaku there! My god did you see how he leads them into that!? And the ram! Holy...that was his signature method in SurCom. Coming here to watch him is definitely worth it! He is the only one crazy enough to actually pull this off!"

"I have to say. Those boys of yours are really something else. Congratulations on the victory Mr Kenshin." Mrs Kuribayashi said as she got up to shake Mr Kenshin's hand. "To face such odds with so much confidence and determination."

"Thank you for hosting them and the match." Mr Kenshin said as he got up and shook her hand. In the background Suzaku rants on about Keiji. "Like I said before. These boys has the school's fighting spirit in them. Something I want to bring back to my school. I would rather torch my career than to leave them out to dry."

"I hope they can pull this out for the next five matches Mr Kenshin." Mr Tsuji said getting up to leave.

"Mother, may I participate in one of those five matches?" Maho asked discreetly. His fighting style is exactly that of his SurCom style. Having order in the chaos. Having surgical strike with a blunt force in an attack. Like her sister's style it was unconventional but yet she is able to see Keiji follow some form of conventional style. Maho is curious. She wanted to see how she would fair against it.

"It's not everyday that you would show so much interest in another team." Mrs Nishizumi commented. This was the first time her daughter has taken an interest any other team. Barring that of Miho's of course. It was the first time that Maho actually requested for a match. Though Maho was nearly expressionless, she could see the eagerness in her daughter's eyes. Thus far her daughter has only acted out of a sense of duty. It was the first time she saw her daughter acted out of her own desire. She still detest the idea of men participating in Senshado but she would not stop her daughter from participating. Especially when her daughter showed some personal interest in this. "If that is what you wish for then I approve of it."