Author's Note
GUESS WHOS BACK!?... ... ...Its me in case anyone is wondering. In any case, thanks for all your patience. I know it was longer than what I mentioned a few months ago. Again I am very sorry my personal issues forced me to stop writing. I can tell you that I am not happy with it. While I am on the subject of my personal matters, the issue is not entirely resolve but I feel that the ruckus has died down enough for it to not affect me majorly in anyway for the time being. It may come up again in the future but as of now the situation is somewhat stable. If the issue comes up again, there might be another stop but for now I am hopeful that it has passed. Fingers are cross!
Now that the depressing topic is out of the way, let's talk about this chapter. Boy do I have a treat for you! My longest chapter yet! Also I am able to put up a cover image! Hope this would at least make up a bit for all the months of waiting.
Again thanks for all your patience and support! Special thanks to Boban and BakonoftheUnknown! You guys made dealing with my issues much more bearable!
Alright! Enough notes! You guys are here for the story! Not me spouting crap! So on with the story! Enjoy!
Chapter 14
"Please remind me again as to the reason of us digging a hole and drainage trench at the middle of the road." Imagawa, Satou's friend and loader, asked as he shoveled some more dirt out of the hole he was digging.
"Don't worry about it! It's all part of a cunning plan!" Satou declared as he cheerfully deepens the drainage trench at the centre of the road and connected to the hole Imagawa is working on. "As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed professor of Cunning at Oxford University."
"Hey Satou! Boss man wants to know how much longer!" Shiba, Satou's radio operator, called out as he popped his head out of the KV1 hidden some distance away.
"Tell him we're not miracle workers damn it!" Imagawa yelled as he huffed another pile of dirt out of his hole. In the distance, there is another series of cannon fire going off. It is the third one now and this one sounded more intense than the earlier ones.
"Ten more minutes Shiba!" Satou responded as he motioned his crew to work faster. There was no doubt that they were doing okay this time around but they were just barely able to keep one step ahead of their opponents. Again the difference in experience is working to their disadvantage. It is only through the daring of Keiji and how well they trained that they were able to last this long. But as the match drags on, it would be more difficult to keep ahead of their opponents. "Alright! Bring up the shell!"
Earlier that morning~~~
It is early in the morning in Fukuoka but its port is crowded with onlookers. It is to be expected since it is not every day that one gets to see Senshado's most famous school dock at the port. Additionally, it is not everyday that the city's very own school carrier, containing the city's and possibly the nation's most famous SurCom player, docked at the very same port. But these two events were overshadowed by the fact that Fukuoka is about to see its very first Senshado match where its boys are involved. Due to the hype, local reporters were also on the scene.
"Things are turning into a grand affair huh Keiji?" Soujirou asked as we drove our tanks off the school carrier.
"Grander than usual I think. It's not everyday a match like this happens." I answered as I lazily looked around the cheering crowd gathered near the exit ramp. Some were carrying signs cheering us on while others were carrying signs proclaiming their everlasting affection for me or some other member of my crew. Some distance away, louder cheers can be heard. "Looks like Kuromorimine has some fans as well."
"Sounds like you will have to fight for the spotlight this time boss." Kyoji commented from inside the tank. Then a bright idea, or moronic depending on who you ask, came to his head. "Hey want to do that thing the pirate did in that first pirate movie when he is docking?"
"What? No! We don't have time for that now." I rejected outright. "We are meeting up with the police who will be escort us to the battle ground!"
"This just turned into a dull ride Keiji."
"Hey Keiji. Ryoji here. Are they seriously giving us and Kuromorimine as escort?"
"That's what I am told so we just have to roll with it." I replied to Ryoji over the radio. "Apparently it came from the mayor or someone pretty high up."
"Sounds like a serious waste of taxpayer money if you ask me." Ryoji commented.
"With this big of a crowd I can understand why. Would be awkward if one of us run over a bystander." Fukuda chimed in. When the other tank commanders also start giving their thought on our police escort and a series of 'what if' scenarios which includes a misfire blowing up a police car I decided to tune them out. Just as I was about to continue to stare into nowhere, I felt my phone vibrate. The sense of dread in my stomach build up to unbearable heights as I checked my messages. That feeling quickly faded when I saw that it was Maho instead of someone I was expecting.
[Hi Keiji. I wanted to ask, is it always this lively here?]
[Not really but it was still somewhat lively any other time I docked. Are you surprised? I thought that you would be used to this kind of reception.]
[Not this big of a crowd. And definitely not the police escorts. It feels a bit overwhelming. And I don't recall Senshado having any pre-match interview before. Is this how it is done here?]
[Oh my. The Steel Tigress is overwhelmed. *audible gasp.]
[Hey don't go making up weird names for me! It makes me sound like an unrelenting beast!]
[Really? I think it has a nice ring to it. And as much as I would like to take credit for it I didn't come up with that. I found it in an article about you on some foreign website sometime ago. It was an article about you being Japan's brightest Senshado practitioner so the name was a compliment of sorts.]
[I don't know how to feel about this. Why does it have to be Steel Tigress? Can't it be something nicer?]
[It's quite cute if you ask me. If it makes you feel any better, besides Wounded Wolf I am also known as Savage Wolf and The Beast.]
[I don't think anyone would say that it's cute. Getting back on topic, what can I expect from a pre-match interview? I've never even heard of one in Senshado before.]
[Yeah you're right on that part. It's more of a SurCom thing. Can't imagine why would they have one in Senshado now. Anyways, it's like any other interview so just act like you usually do in those case and you will be fine. Regardless I'll also be there so you can use me as a reference.]
[Thanks. I think the my escorts want to have a word with me so I'll be going now. See you soon later.]
Sure enough, my police escorts were also waiting for me to dismount when my team has disembarked. After a short briefing on the road rules, me and my team followed our escorts out of the port area and to the battle ground. Upon reaching our starting point, a car came for me while my team were doing the final battle preparations and before I know it I am brought to the area where the match would be monitored.
"Hey Maho. I see you got here before me." I greeted a rather nervous looking Maho. "Are you alright?"
"H-Hi Keiji. Yeah I am fine. Just a bit uneasy about the interview." Maho answered me giving me a timid wave. "I understand that these interviews are also a source of information in SurCom where you can have a rough idea of how your opponents thoughts."
"Don't worry about it. They probably just want to know about what you think about me doing Senshado and how are you going to approach the match. This isn't SurCom so you can relax. There won't too much be lies and misdirections flying everywhere. I won't over analyse whatever is said in the interview either. Just don't give out your whole battle plan and you're good to go." I reassured Maho and looked around. "Where is your mother? I imagine that she was informed ahead of time and would be interested in Senshado's first pre-match interview."
"She read the memo sent to her but viewed it as unnecessary waste of time and will not be attending." Maho explained. "So I am to represent her as well."
"Well it is more to hype things up so I can understand her views on the matter. Like I said before, just don't give away your plans." I said with a shrug. The door to the makeshift swing open to reveal the person that Maho and I are familiar with. Chouno Ami.
"I see the two of you have arrived. Come! Come in! We're about to start." The military attired lady said as she beckoned the two of us to enter. Upon entering and seeing the other two interviewers, I immediately feel sorry for Maho and her current nervous mindset.
"Nice to meet you again Keiji!" Jerry said shaking my hand before turning to Maho. "You must be Nishizumi Maho! I am Jerry and this is my co-announcer Tom! We normally cover SurCom but the organisers for today's match insisted that we cover it to spice things up a little. We will be having a live stream interview. Nothing special. Just a quick chat before the two of you return to your team." Jerry fired off his mouth in rapid succession. Maho tensed and straightened her posture, possibly unhinged by Jerry's hyperactive personality, while I resigned myself to an over the top interview. Instructor Chouno showed us to out seats, which were side by side and facing her, Jerry and Tom. As the cameraman counted down, I mentally braced myself.
"Good morning Japan! Jerry here reporting from the birthplace of Senshado, Fukuoka! Joining me here today for what is most likely a turning point in Senshado, Japan and possibly the whole world is my co-announcer Tom and the judge for today's match, Ms Chouno Ami!" Jerry started off with a burst of energy that is comparable to a nuclear blast while gesturing wildly with his hands. Then his hands featured in Maho and my direction. "With us this morning are two very special guests. On the left is a legend in SurCom! The man who would fight like a beast! The man who made the 'no look kill' his own! The man that earned the moniker 'Wounded Wolf! Fukuoka's very own son! Shinamura Keiji!"
"I've seen him a few times and have a rough idea, but is he always this intense?" Maho whispered discreetly to me. "And what is a 'no look kill'?"
"He is pretty much like this all the time." I whispered back. "There was a SurCom match roughly a year ago where I emptied my sidearm down a corridor to my right without looking. I ended up shooting three opponents who were turning the corner at the end of it. It was just a small time match so you probably didn't see it."
"How did you manage that?" Maho asked out of curiosity.
"They were being too loud. So I manage to timed it base on the sound." I answered casually. "It's not as incredible a feat as anyone thinks."
"And on the right, Senshado's very own legend! The incredible lady who is as cool as ice under pressure! Known around the world as the Steel Tigress! She would relentlessly chase down her prey when the hunt starts! The heir to one of the top Senshado style! Nishizumi Maho!" Jerry finished his introduction while gesturing at Maho. I readjusted my seating position to try and hide the smile that was slowly creeping up my face after hearing Maho's nickname again. Knowing what is on my mind, Maho gave me a playful nudge in protest.
"So Ms Nishizumi, I understand that this would be your first time going up against a male team. What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you think that your opponent would be at a disadvantage since this is widely considered a lady's sport and that they are the opposite gender?" Tom asked after he pulled Jerry down to his seat.
"As the situation is now, I am not able to give a proper opinion on the matter. The only male team in the world is Keiji's team and they have only been in two match so far and I believe that that is not enough to come to any conclusion." Maho answered concisely. "At the moment, I think that they are disadvantaged more by their inexperience in the sport."
"Yes I understand that but I'd like to know what are your current thoughts on the matter. You may know that a male Senshado team has caused quite a stir in Senshado itself. Some welcomed it while others frown upon it. I would like to know where you stand in all this."
"My opinions are those of my mother's. With that said, I am curious as to how far Keiji and his team would go. Keiji has shown a good mind for Senshado so he may be able to perform like he has done in SurCom. But for the moment I am content to wait and see." Maho said in a formal manner.
"What about you Mr Shinamura? Do you feel that you are at a disadvantage because you are in a lady's sport?" Ms Chouno asked me.
"Not at all. While there are things that certain gender can perform better than the other, I do not believe that Senshado is one of them." I said. "Take SurCom for instance, it used to be a all men sport but recently starts to cater for both gender and I can say with confidence that the women there are not in any disadvantage at all. Rather, they bring different approaches to the table and adds to the team and the sport as a whole."
"But SurCom and Senshado are different sport. Do you think what you mentioned would translate over to Senshado?" Ms Chouno asked.
"Yes they are different sports but I believe that the core for both are more or less the same. So they will translate over quite well." I explained my line of thought. "If anything, it is as Maho said. I am disadvantage more by me and my team's lack of experience. More than anything else I might add. So can you go easy on me Maho? Please?" I turned and asked Maho.
"Knowing you, that would be the last thing you want me to do." Maho rejected picking up my attempt at being playful. "You always enjoy a good match."
"Ha ha! She got you like deer in headlights Keiji!" Jerry exclaimed. He seemed to be enjoying this interview more than anyone else. "It sounds like the two of you are very close."
"We just know each other roughly two months ago when I was pushing for male participation." I took the lead to explain after catching subtle signs of Maho being taken aback by the sudden change to a more personal topic. "After that, she's been giving me and my team advice on training and so on."
"We exchange our opinions on different tactics and how to approach them. His views and solutions are interesting." Maho followed my lead and added in. "At times I have to wonder who is the one actually helping out."
"Ah...what a nice start of a friendship." Jerry said, clearly daydreaming about his youth at this point. Knowing his colleague is going off on a tangent at this point, Tom rolled up some papers he had on hand and smacked Jerry on the head with it. Ms Chouno just looked on as she cleared her throat.
"For those of you who are tuning in now, today's match is on a ten by ten kilometre map that has a river from north to south roughly at the centre of the map. On the southeast area is part of a nearby town that is right next to the river while the rest of the map is more or less open country with some hills here and there. The river itself is quite deep so there are two bridges that can be used to cross the river itself. One is situated up towards the north with a road leading south on the east side of the map to the earlier mentioned town and the second one is south, in the town with a road that leads toward the southwestern part of the map." Ms Chouno, seeing the atmosphere becoming a bit awkward, decided to intervene. Clapping her hands together, she looked at Maho. "What are your thoughts about today's map since your team is starting at the southwestern corner of the map?"
"The river would be a difficult obstacle. It is made even more so since there is only two ways to access the eastern half of the map." Maho answered a little too honestly. "But my team has been training for such a situation and I believe that we will be able to face it with little hesitation."
"It's a bold move to say what you're thinking Ms Nishizumi." Tom praised Maho. "Especially if you consider that Mr Shinamura's gameplay involves some degree of understanding his opponent's thoughts."
"Thank you." Maho said with a bow. "But like I said, my team has been training for such an obstacle so there should be no difficulty there."
"What about you Mr Shinamura? Your team would be starting at the northeastern corner of the map. What are your thoughts?" Tom asked now looking at me.
"It is certainly an interesting map. Quite different from the other two previous ones. This is the first map that would feature an urban environment for my team so I want to know how my team would do." I said. "Then we have the river that is dividing the map in two and the open country that covers most of the map. I think it's going to be fun."
"As vague as ever Mr Shinamura." Tom commented before turning to the camera. "And that concludes our interview ladies and gentlemen. The match shall begin shortly so stay tune."
Me and Maho were thanked for attending the interview and we and was escorted to our vehicles that are already waiting outside. We stopped to wished each other luck. That is when I saw the sight that has haunted me ever since I started SurCom. Amongst the crowd of people gathered to catch a glimpse of Maho or me is a familiar face. A face painted white with yellow around the eyes and red as if blood is trickling down it. Instinctively, I looked away, hoping against all hope that perhaps I was not spotted.
"Yohooo! Keiji! Keiji!"
"Keiji, I think someone is calling you." Maho pointed out.
"I don't hear anybody. You must be mistaken." I replied still clinging onto a sizeable hope that I was not spotted.
"Keiji! Keiji!"
"I am very sure I am not mistaken." Maho said pointing at the direction I wish to avoid. "She just hoisted up a banner with your name."
"T-Then it must be somebody else named Keiji. It is a very common name." I suggested as my hope slipped away.
"Shinamura Keiji of Sparta High! Son of loving parents Shinamura Shinji and Shinamura Takagi! The boy who took SurCom by storm and is known as the Wounded Wolf!"
"I am quite sure she's calling you." Maho said looking curiously at me then at the lady calling my name. "Who is she?"
"She's my mom." I said after letting out a heavy sigh as the last few speck of hope left in me died. Putting on a forced smile, I turned and approached my mother. As I approached, my mother jumped up and down and waved wildly at me while my father stood beside her and giving me a small wave. Curious, Maho followed a bit behind me. "Mom, dad. You're here. It's good to see the two of you."
"Keiji! It's so good to see you! Mama missed you so much! How have you been? Mama and papa was so worried when we got a letter from your school that you're having discipline problems! Are you being bullied? If you are you should let mama know and mama will take care of everything." My mother bombarded me while giving me her tight signature hug. Letting me go, she saw Maho stopped a respectable distance away, my mother looked at me smugly. "That is Nishizumi Maho isn't it? Do the two of you know each other? Are you going to formally introduce her to me? Is she your girlfriend? I think she would make a good wife. She seemed to respect others and certainly their privacy. And she look sharp and smart, not to mention pretty and well curved at the right pla-"
"Thank you for your thoughts mom. I am fine don't worry about the school. I can handle it so there's no need for your intervention." I said cutting off my mother before she starts a detailed narrative and review of curves. "Can you please stop telling me which ones are suitable for marriage? I am still in high school. And Maho is just a friend."
"I would happily stop when you at least bring home a girlfriend. And she looks like she's a keeper." My mother answered happily. "Are you going to introduce me to her?"
"Yes ma'am. You called?" Maho asked sounding closer than I remembered. Turning around, I see her standing two feet away from me and bowing at my parents. At that point, it doesn't take me more than half a second to figure out that my mother has somehow beckoned Maho to come over while she was giving me a hug.
Please dear god don't let my mother promote me for marriage like a salesperson promoting a product.
"Hi there. Keiji, don't rude and introduce your parents to her." My mother said with a smile as she pushed me towards Maho. the lady in question looked at me cluelessly as I gave her a sheepish smile.
"Uh...Maho, these are my parents. Father Shinamura Shinji and mother Shinamura Takagi. Mom, dad, this is Nishizumi Maho. She has been helping me with running a Senshado team." I said complying with my mother's request.
"Nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Shinamura." Maho said with a respectful bow. The type that is so well practiced that it would be associated to etiquette lessons by a professional. At this point I do not dare to put that beyond what Maho was taught.
"Nice to meet you Ms Nishizumi." My father responded with a bow of his own.
"What a well mannered girl! Isn't that right dear?" My mother said as she excitedly shook hands with Maho. "Please Maho don't be so formal. Just call us aunty and uncle. And thank you for looking after my boy. It calms my heart to know that such a dependable girl is looking after him. He may be the same age as you but he lacks common sense in some area so please be patient with him."
"Y-Yes. Actually Keiji is a very capable commander and he has also helped me out a bit so I can't say that he he is dependent on my help." Maho said unsure as to how to interact with my mother. I don't blame her for that. My mother can be eccentric at times.
"Ohhh...sounds like the two of you are quite close." My mother said with a dreamy expression.
"We're just friends mom." I reminded my mother.
"Now now dear, we better let them be on their way. They have a match soon." My father reminded sensing that it was time he interjected. Turning to me, he flashed me a smile. "Since your school has docked here, do come home if you are able to Keiji. Now, run along. We won't want to keep the two of you any longer than we have."
"I will. See you mom. See you dad." I replied, now mentally exhausted, hugging both my parents and leaving with Maho.
"Why is your mom wearing face paint?" Maho asked after we are out of earshot from my parents.
"It's her way of supporting me." I said rubbing my face. "She can be too much at times. Sorry if she offended you."
"Don't worry. She didn't. She is...free spirited." Maho said.
"That's one way to put it." I said as I went to my transport while waving at Maho. "Let's have ourselves a fun match!"
A car ride, a preparation and the customary bow later, the flare that signalled the beginning of the match was fired. There was no chatter on the radio frequency this time. We have worked out our plans long before we docked in Fukuoka. We are to cross the northern bridge into the western half of the map and engage Kuromorimine. Upon crossing the bridge, Tetsuo's tank rushed forward to scout while mine and Ryoji followed some distance behind at full speed. Fukuda and Satou's tank on the other hand, broke off and head towards their own location.
"Enemy spotted! Three Panzer-3s! We have been engage!" Tamaki, Tetsuo's radioman, reported from the BT-7. Tetsuo is half way down the western side of the battleground. This is expected. What is not expected is the number of Panzer-3. Every battle recordings which involved Maho that I have analysed did not show more than one of these machines. So to have three of it is a real cause for concern as it shows that Maho will not be conducting this fight like as per usual. "We baiting them to the western edge of the map! Request support!"
"Flag and Line responding!" Satoshi replied while our tank as well as Ryoji's tank came to a stop. We angled our tanks thirty degrees to our right to enable us an easier time to bounce shells off our sloped armour. Very soon Tetsuo and his pursuers entered our firing range. From where I am sitting, I can see Kyoji lick his lips as he made his final adjustments. "Ryoji has no shot boss. Too close." Satoshi reported after hearing from the other tank.
"Our camou net won't last any longer." Takashi commented. "Any closer we will be spotted.
"I have a shot." Kyoji said as his grin grew bigger.
"Tell Ryoji to fire only when clear and reposition Tetsuo for that." I instructed Satoshi before putting a firm hand on Kyoji's shoulder. "Fire!"
Without a word, Kyoji fired the 85 mm gun of our T-34. A violent eruption shook the tank as our lead is hurled through the air. In the tank, the shockwave of the controlled explosion shook us to the core while the tank itself swayed slightly due to the recoil of the gun. The uninitiated would have given pause to such an occurrence and even some initiated would pause to enjoy the effects of firing a tank's main gun. But we are neither uninitiated nor initiated who has time for that sort of enjoyment. Like clockwork, Soujiro reloaded as Satoshi coordinated with Tetsuo and Ryoji. Takashi and I tracked the shell as Kyoji made some small adjustments.
"Hit!" I announced.
"Reloaded!" Soujiro announced.
"Ryoji has a shot!" Satoshi announced as another eruption can be heard from outside the tank followed by the sound of metal smashing into metal. "Hit reported!"
"Remaining Panzer 3 falling back. Do not pursue. Relocate further back. That spot behind the hill we pass by earlier is good enough." I said over the team's frequency. It was near the
"Hey Keiji, that was not according to the briefing." Ryoji pointed out over the comms as his driver moved his tank.
"It's not." I said acknowledging that things are not going to go as we want. "All team be advised, enemy has changed their game. Scout, see if you can spot the main unit. I want to know their team composition. Stay out of sight. Takashi, take us to that hill you saw earlier."
"Roger." Tetsuo said as his tank zipped pass us.
Like our last match, things are not as we thought. The tank composition seemed off and the behaviour of the three Panzer 3 are more aggressive. To compound our suspicion even further is the fact that there was no immediate follow up engagement by the other tanks. Maho's normal attack pattern is for the scout to spot and maybe have a light engagement with the enemy while her main force move up and finish the match in one heavy blow. It is possible that the three Panzer 3s strayed too far ahead but that would be a first for her and Kuromorimine. And if one is to consider the fact that the Nishizumi style and Kuromorimine places a premium on discipline then the possibility of the three Panzer 3s accidentally straying too far forward being more remote than someone being struck by a meteor twice. With that said, it would be prudent to conclude that the Panzer 3s did was intentional. What comes next practically confirms this.
"Scout contact with main body! They shooting like they expecting- KABOOM - That is too close! C'mon girl! Get us through this and we'll get you that engine oil you like so much!" Tamaki called over the team's frequency. "They know our fucking address! Falling back! Enemy hot on heels!"
"Scout, what are their tank composition?" Satoshi asked. "Welcoming party prepared."
"A King Tiger, a Tiger, three Panther, four Panzer 4 and a Panzer 3!" Tamaki replied as another explosion, followed by some swearing by Tetsuo, can be heard in the background. "Coming to view now!"
"I got them in sight!" Kyoji,giving all his attention to a hill some five hundred metres in front of his gunsight, announced as the BT-7 in question entered then exited his view. He held his breath and waited. His anticipation grew as he saw his target entered his view. He licked his lips as he track the metal beast towards the ambush site. His shook his leg with increasing frequency. Not out of nervousness, but out of excitement. His success or failure would determine tempo for the next few seconds that comes after it. That shot would be crucial. There was no better praise for him as a marksman than to have the whole team rely on his skills. He smiled as he hears a familiar voice. The words and their meaning are lost to him but the voice itself has told him enough. He smiled and gently squeezed the trigger and bear witness to the testament of his shooting prowess.
In a certain King Tiger~~~
"We're hit! Left track! Eleven o'clock! Five hundred metres" Erika announced as she felt her tank violently jerked to the left. Just as her radio operator is reporting to the rest of the team, a second shot was fired. This one was aimed at Maho's Tiger.
"All tanks halt. Two enemies, eleven o'clock five hundred metres. Engage." Maho announced calmly over her team's frequency as the second shot score a glancing hit at the side of her tank's turret. "Rapid Response Teams on standby."
Maho's tank stopped at the right of Erika's tracked King Tiger and fired off a shell at where the two T34s are. It was a miss but it has the intended effect of letting her entire team know where their ambushers are. Her team reacted with mechanical precision with the three Panthers formed up on either flank of the lynchpin that is the Tiger and King Tiger and fired in the same direction while the remainders got behind the heavier tanks. However, their fire were a fraction of a second too late as the two T-34s backed away behind a slope. They were not entirely out of sight. Part of the tanks were still visible but there was not enough for a confirm kill on the flag tank that Maho suspect is where Keiji is. Knowing how Keiji would play it from here, thanks to their previous discussion, Maho allowed herself a slight smile and gave her orders.
"Rapid Team 1 move up with with Scout 2. Rapid Team 2 go around the hill. If possible, take out the flag tank. Target is dangerous the longer it's in the field."
In the flag tank in question~~~
"Two prong attack on either side of the hill. A Panther and two Panzer 4 in both and the rest in reserve." I announced smiling at how Maho has changed her battle tactics. And to do it in such a manner that would cause me the most trouble. She must have remembered what we discussed during our meeting about Saunders and applied it when writing her own tactics.
"Hey Keiji, this is not how your girlfriend supposed to operate." Satou said over the team's frequency. "She's messing up our plan."
"Kind of like how Keiji mess up my betting pool when he is involved in the bet." Fukuda added in. "Support will target Panther. Heavy I am counting on you on the reload."
"Flag and Line will conduct fighting retreat. Scout be ready for when we bounce completely." I said over the radio. "This is when we start sweating. Weapons free. Good luck boys."
Just as I finished my orders, Kyoji fired off a shell at the approaching tanks. Again his shot flies true. But this time it glances off the thick sloped front armour of the approaching Panther. Two return shots from both Panzer 4 came in as a reply. But with both tank travelling at high speed and most Kuromorimine gunners not used to firing on the move, there was little chance of a hit as my tank ducked back behind the slope while Ryoji's tank popped out for his turn for a potshot. On the other side of the hill, I can hear a shot rang out signalling the start of the engagement on that side as well.
In the Jagdpanzer responsible for the shot~~~
"Panther hit. Reload." Ryoji said to his crew while seeing the the white flag of his first target popped out. As expected, the dust kicked up by the main gun firing gave away his position away to the remaining tanks that quickly corrected course and were now advancing at him. Couple that with a still lengthy reload time, the match would end there for him and his crew if he and his crew were alone and did not relocate. But Ryoji had a shield with him this time. A shield made from Russian steel. He have himself a KV-1 shield. With that to comfort him, he carefully re-adjusted his aim at his next target.
To the left of Ryoji's Jagdpanzer, Satou in his KV-1 surged forward from his camouflaged position and angled his tank's front armour thirty degrees away from the two remaining Panzer 4. As Satou felt his tank stopped traversing, the two return shots that had Ryoji's name written all over it impacted and glance off harmlessly from his tank's thick armour. His gunner soon returned the favour. Unfortunately for Satou and his crew, the shot was rushed and landed just a metre ahead of its intended target. It would probably not affect the whole match but it was unfortunate for them seeing that they had been practicing their rushed or as they called it, 'clutch shot', for some time.
By the time Satou's shot missed, Ryoji and his crew had already completed the difficult process of reloading their Jagdpanzer and reported it to Satou. Confirming that his shot missed, Satou had his driver throw the KV-1 into full reverse to allow Ryoji a clear shot. While the KV-1 is backing up, Ryoji made his final adjustments to his aim and fired the Jagdpanzer's gun just as the KV-1 cleared the front of the barrel. Unlike Satou's hasty shot, Ryoji's carefully aimed one hit where it had intended to.
For the remaining Panzer 4, its crew are not feeling so brave anymore. They were initially optimistic when the Jagdpanzer revealed itself. Even when the KV-1 came out they still had some hope that the two faster Panzer 4 could out maneuver their enemies. But now that two third of the group has a white flag, they begin to rethink their position. Knowing that it is at a disadvantage, the remaining Panzer 4 used the wreckage its comrade as cover and reported its predicament.
At the seats for the Senshado Federation VIPs~~~
Shiho watched the match silently but intently. To an outsider, it may looked like as if she was glaring at the giant screen that was set up for the audience. She is known for her reputation as a serious and cold person if one were to exclude her skills in Senshado. She is not known as The Iron Lady by being gentle afterall. Besides that, it was well known that she is very strict when it comes to the Nishizumi Style and that to go against it while under her tutelage would be the equivalent of calling a Scotsman English or something along that line. So it does not take a lot of imagination to conclude that she would be furious at what she is seeing at the moment. Instead of conducting the match like how she usually does, her daughter has blatantly used something that was not according to her teaching. What was on screen is obviously not something that Nishizumi Shiho would approve of.
Some in the VIP seat begin to tense as the match continued. Some snuck glances at The Iron Lady to gauge her thoughts on the match while others dare not look at all. The atmosphere is worsen by the fact that Shiho had not said a word or show any body language that would give away her thoughts. The only things that show a glimmer of her thoughts were her eyes and those were filled with seriousness and fire. However, that was only from the perspective of people who knew her professionally.
For the people who knew her on a personal level, like Shimada Chiyo, the current head of the Shimada Style, the story is very different. While others in the VIP booth tensed due to Shiho's demeanor, Shimada Chiyo just smile blissfully. Where other saw anger seething through her posture, Chiyo only sees curiosity and an eagerness to understand. Chiyo understands that her long-time friend and rival is not as she is portrayed in the media. She understands that Shiho always had a stern looking face. That in turn led people to misunderstood her intentions and thoughts. What is happening now is a perfect example of it.
"Are you interested in what your daughter is doing?" Chiyo leaned to her right and whispered to her friend. "That isn't the style you taught her isn't it?"
"No it isn't." Shiho answered still glued to the giant screen. "From the looks of it, it is something recent. There are some rough edges to smooth out. This match is possibly a test of concept."
"You sound interested~ are you going to be okay with your daughter picking a different style?" Chiyo prodded.
"The core elements are still there." Shiho commented in a neutral tone. "Let's see how she settles this match."
In the tank of the commander in question~~~
"Panther 4 move up with me to reinforce Rapid Team 2. Heavy 2 reinforce Rapid Team 1 when able. Rapid Team 1 resume a steady advance. Rearguard move up and join the main force." Maho instructed upon hearing the fate of one of her attack group. Maho had expected an attack from that direction, that is why she sent a team there to intercept in the first place, but she had not expected that Keiji to have tanks of his own already camping there.
Like her, Keiji may have caught a glimpse of her thought the other time they met. And if what Keiji said is true about SurCom being as much of a mind game as it is a physical one then Keiji would have probably know more about her thinking and can easily predict her moves. This is nothing new as strictly following the Nishizumi Style has made her predictable to some of her opponents. Those are nothing more than a little annoyance that could be easily overcome at her end. But this time is different. This time, her efforts were hampered considerably by a well planned strike. Maho grudgingly admit that even Miho did not give her this hard of a time.
Maho had been in tougher and more difficult match but she hardly felt any excitement from any of it. Although her match with her younger sister was exciting in its own right but that is the excitement one would feel when seeing first hand at how much one's sibling has grown. The excitement Maho is feeling right now is the excitement one would get from using one's own capability against an equally skilled if not better opponent. In other words, Maho is, for once, excited about the ongoing Senshado match she is having. For the first time she felt challenged. She wants to take on Keiji with her own strength. She wants to see just how good he is. Unknowingly, a small smile crept up her face as she received a report that the team she sent after Keiji is effectively pinned at this point.
In a certain T-34~~~
"What's wrong boss? Is it something about the match? That shivering can't be good." Soujiro commented.
"I am not sure. I just felt a sudden chill down my spine. Is Satou and Ryoji doing okay?" Keiji responded giving an unconscious shiver.
"Depends on what you mean by that. They reported that the Tiger and a Panther are advancing up their side to reinforce the group they got there. Since your girlfriend is there, I imagine that they would be having a difficult time." Satoshi reported. "Should we proceed as planned?"
"Yup. Get Ryoji out of there and Satou into that ditch we saw earlier. The steep angle when they slide into it should do the trick." I instructed as Satoshi got to work.
"Say boss, with the Panther tracked like that I don't think we can penetrate the armour. And yes I've tried." Kyoji said firing off another shot to suppress the two Panzer 4 that is using their tracked comrade as cover. "Don't be shy now girls! Come out and smile for the muzzle flash!"
"Yeah I doubt we can do much but to hold them. Would have been preferable if we could take out the Panzer 4s. They may make things difficult." I commented giving some thought at the lost opportunity.
"This is Heavy! We are at the ditch and Sniper has gone ahead with the withdrawal!" Satou's radioman announced as a shell could be heard whizzing by. "I think Keiji's girlfriend is getting serious here that was close!"
Satou watched the the back of the tank as he relayed instructions to his driver. It was supposed to be simple. Dump all the camo gear and bug out. But no one had expected that Maho would be hounding them so closely. To add to that, they not firing on the move any more. Instead, they are stopping long enough for the gunner to aim and fire before they continued their pursuit while reloading. One tank would stop to fire while the other two would advance. This resulted in a near constant rain of shell at Satou and his crew. Considering that now they are reaching a critical part, Satou is understandably on edge. The seconds ticked by as his tank slowly reversed into the ditch behind him. Then he felt it. His tank tilted and slid sideways into the shallow ditch. Now he can only pray.
Maho, on seeing the rearguarding KV-1 sliding into a ditch had her tank stopped and her gunner to take careful aim. But this was interrupted by the annoyingly pesky BT-7 which threw off her gunner's aim slightly just as the shot was fired at the KV-1. Maho had wanted to hit it squarely at the centre of the front armour, it is an 88mm gun after all so penetration is not an issue, but instead the shell hit the KV-1's angled side armour. Though she did not see the white flag popping out of the tank, the black smoke that did came out was enough proof for her and she joined the other two tanks in chasing after the Jagdpanzer that was successfully fleeing the area.
In the KV-1 in question, Satou breathe a sigh of relief as Keiji's gamble paid off. Though he had known the guy since they were five, he still have difficulty in coming to terms on how daring Keiji could be at times. Now that they had been left alone, he got his tank out of the ditch and made for his destination. The southern bridge and into the town. As his tank was almost out of the ditch, he noticed a dust cloud in a distance. Looking through his binoculars he sees a Panther and two more Panzer 4s heading northwards. Frowning at how bad it would be if he crossed path with them, he had the information relayed to Keiji and continue on with his objective.
"You hear that boss? Another three tanks would make the remaining enemy a total of eleven, excluding the four we shot up." Takashi said looking up at Keiji.
"We'll just have to keep buying time for Satou and his crew." Keiji reminded as his tank and the rest of the team set up at a flat plain that is the next ambush site while Tetsuo and his BT-7 harass their opponents. "Alright have Tetsuo pull back. We will receive them now."
Soon enough Kuromorimine tanks begin to come into view again. And like before, Kyoji aimed for the track of the King Tiger. Once again, the heavier elements of the group stopped to form a lynchpin of a firing line. All would be right in the world but instead of stopping with the heavier tanks, all five Panzer 4 continue their advance on the Spartan tanks on both flanks while the heavy tanks covered them. Seeing that Maho is adapting at a frightening rate, Keiji ordered a few quick shot and a hasty retreat to another ambush site at the northwestern corner of the map. Keiji and his group barely made it out in time for the Panzer 4 to complete the flanking attack.
The next ambush site was a valley between two hills. Again, the King Tiger was tracked. And again Maho showed something new. This time she had her Tiger and Panthers advance through the valley while all five of her Panzer 4 went around the right hill along with the remaining Panzer 3 as scout with a warning to expect a sneak attack by the Spartan Jagdpanzer. The left side was on the edge of the map so Maho paid that area no mind. True enough the Jagdpanzer was detected by the Panzer 3 and two of the Panzer 4 broke off to engage it as the other three proceeded their flanking attack. Keiji and his team pulled back again. However, this time the withdrawal was more chaotic and with Kuromorimine hot on their heels.
By this point, it is clear as day that Maho is gaining the momentum with her new tactics. With the her close behind, literally, Keiji had Ryoji and Fukuda go on ahead to the forth ambush site beside the river at the centre of the map while he and Tetsuo delay Maho's advance. Knowing that things were going faster than anticipated, Keiji had Satoshi check on Satou's progress.
As Keij and Tetsuo reached the ambush site with their tanks, Erika's King Tiger was tracked for the forth. But this time she was tracked along with Maho's Tiger. Maho responded by sending her three Panthers straight at her ambushers while the five Panzer 4 went to her right to flank. Though the constant ambush is getting annoying, the smile on Maho's face grew wider and wider. She knew that Keiji is looking for a weak point with these ambushes and that he had found none thus far. Instead of her being at a disadvantage, she knows that she is driving Keiji into her corner. Knowing that Keiji would fight more fiercely that way, she can't help but feel excitement of facing the Keiji she saw in her first SurCom match viewing.
There was a short but intense exchange of fire between both side before the Spartan tanks pulled back again. Anticipating what would happen next, Maho had the remaining Panzer 3 rush forward and intercepted the Spartan BT-7 that was going to cover its team retreat via harassment. Seeing that it's comrade is in trouble, the flag tank, Keiji's tank, stopped and act as rearguard. Maho looked through her binoculars in amazement as her Panthers were tracked one after another by Keiji's tank. She then gave a chuckle when she saw the figure at the commander's cupola waved at her and the T-34 fled the scene with the flanking Panzer 4 close in pursuit while the rest of her team got their tanks going again. Maho was having a good day.
Erika, on the other hand, is having a very bad day. Ever since the first engagement, her tank has been the constant victim of being track in every single engagement. The frustration in her and her crew build steadily as they keep feeling the familiar jerk their tank made when it was tracked. She was ready to explode by the time her tank got moving again for the forth time. Sure Maho was able to put down the KV-1 in that ditch but that the flag tank, Keiji's T-34, still elude them. When one of the Panzer 4 reported that Keiji and his group had crossed the southern bridge and had dug in at the town, she almost leapt for joy as there will not be another ambush. Reaching their side of the bridge, Erika's mood only improve as she felt the shells bounced harmlessly off the front of her tank as her team formed a firing line and plastered the opposite side of the bridge with shells.
As return fire by the Spartan tanks became none-existent, Maho had her team ready to cross the bridge. Like how they rehearse, Erika took the lead followed by the remaining Panzer 3, a Panzer 4 and all three Panthers while Maho and the four remaining Panzer 4 covered the side and rear of the advance. This is the most vulnerable part as the tanks are forced to advance through the choke point that is the bridge. There is little doubt that Keiji will not let this opportunity slip pass. As the seconds ticked pass, Erika's King Tiger inched closer and closer towards the other side of the bridge. Since crossing the bridge, Erika allowed herself to hope that perhaps maybe, just maybe the bombardment earlier had discouraged Keiji and his team. Maybe her tank's heavy armour has forced Keiji to rethink his plans. For once, Erika allowed herself to smile just as the stall in front of her erupted and the familiar shape of the KV-1 can be seen.
In the KV-1 a few seconds earlier~~~
"I can't help but stress how stupid this is." Imagawa said to no one in particular. "I mean we will probably only get off this one shot before somebody get us. And are they seriously just going fall for our camouflage? We literally just push a movable stall in front of the tank and stack random stuff to hide the tank."
"That's why it is you have to keep your mouth shut so we can coordinate." Shiba answered bluntly while he listen intently into the radio for the go ahead.
"This is Flag. Code 'Its a trap'. Send it."
Ishimura, the gunner of the KV-1, swallowed hard. Peering through his gunsight, he can see the advancing heavy tank. There is no question, even at less than fifty metres, that the 75mm gun on the KV-1 will never penetrate its front armour. There is a reason why it is call a King Tiger afterall. But that thick frontal armour is not his target. His target is stood up almost vertically in a hole that was freshly dug by his buddies. His gunsight had been perfectly aimed through the narrow trench into the mentioned hole at the cylindrical shape of a 75mm shell casing that is housing the shell that would make the ambush. The code has already been given. Ishimaru held his breath and pulled the trigger.
Back at the King Tiger~~~
"Hah! Stupid Satou! You can't penetrate this armour!" Erika shouted out in glee. Then she noticed several things. First was the barrel of the KV-1 was not pointed at the ground in front of her. Second was that there was a narrow trench as the centre of the road and that her tank is just barely over the top of one end of the trench. Third was the KV-1. Last report was that black smoke was pouring out of it's engine there was no way to could still be operational. That was when it struck her, the announcer had not announced the KV-1 being taken out. Before any more thought could be form in Erika's mind, she heard an explosion just below the front of her tank and felt her tank rocked back and and forth and stopped dead in its track.
A stunned Erika looked on as a white flag popped out of her tank. Another shot was heard somewhere to her left, up north somewhere in town and an explosion occurred behind her taking out the last Panther. She looked on unable to feel anything as report of the Spartan Jagdpanzer was responsible of the second shot and was quickly dispatched by the remaining two Panthers. Erika then noticed that her tank is taken out in such a way that it has effectively blocked one side of the bridge as Satou's KV-1 drove out of the remnants of the stall and fired a shot across the river and grazed a Panzer 4. Before any real damage could be done by him, Maho's Tiger put a shell squarely at the centre of the tank. This time a white flag actually popped out of the KV-1. Another shell fire was heard further up in the town and took out the second last Panther.
As things begin to make sense, and the realisation of what was going on hit her, she noticed Satou looking out of his tank. Satou seeing that she noticed him gave her a smug smile and a thumbs up. Feeling the rage and frustration within her went into overdrive, Erika grinded her teeth together as she glared daggers at Satou and imagining all the harm she would like to inflict on her childhood friend. That only serve to enrage her more as she remembered that Satou would tease her more than Keiji. Her face warped and contorted to express the pure rage she is feeling. Barely containing the blind anger she has, she brought both her shaking hands up and encircling Satou's head and imagine crushing his head as her anger reached its peak and erupted like a volcano.
"SATOUUUUUU!" Erika yelled out as loud as she can. Inside the King Tiger, her crew share a look of resignation and understanding amongst themselves as they would expect a lot of consoling they would had to do once Erika's anger turned to flat out crying out of frustration later on. It was a welcomed change to their tank commander of course. They were friends with Erika, she was near unapproachable and would strike others as unfriendly. She did warm up a bit after that, if out could consider milkshake warm. But recently, she had begin to show a softer side to her. Though this was due to the teasing she got from Commander Nishizumi but it has made the girl more approachable. Since then things had only got better.
"Sounds like Erika is angry." Maho pointed out to her crew in amusement as they giggled and smile at the prospect of seeing the cute side of their vice-commander again.
On the Spartan radio frequency~~~
"I can't believe that work!" Satou laughed. "Keiji you should see Erika's face! I swear she looks like the reddest tomato!"
"Yeah I can hear her yelling from here." Keiji replied as more laughter and shouts of satisfaction and amusement filled the frequency. "You guys did well. Leave the rest to us."
"Yeah good luck Flag." Satou said over the coms.
Maho made a quick assessment and concluded that the remaining tanks on the bridge will not be going anywhere and took the four Panzer 4 with her. A playful smile appeared on her face as she made her way to the northern bridge. Keiji has done what he wanted and is now going in for the kill. This means that Maho will have a better chance to get his tank since he will be committing fully this time around instead of probing her. The final engagement is coming and this time she is going to be the one to set the ambush.
"Alright guys, now that their numbers are down considerably I think we can now properly take them on." Keiji said as he led the remainder of his team across the northern bridge back to the western half of the map. "It is fairly simple. Line will put up suppressive fire while scout circle strafe them and Flag get in the killing blow. Line you ready for the Mad Minute?"
"Not exactly what we want but yeah. We can give you a minute." Ryoji responded curtly as he busied himself in the tank.
Rounding a nearby hill to head south, Keiji found himself staring at five gunbarrels. The four Panzer 4 were in pairs with one vehicle in front of another. This would at least give cover to half the Panzer 4. One pair is on the left in the open and another on the right with a hill to shield the hull of both tanks. Maho's tank is in the centre a bit behind the line of Panzer 4 and angled to bounce off any potential shots.
"Ambush!" Keiji yelled out over the comms as Tetsuo's BT-7 and Ryoji's T-34 also rounded the hill.
Maho wasted no time and begin peppering area with shell fire. Lucky for Keiji and his team, Maho had no idea where they would be coming from and therefore none of the shell hit and all three Spartan tanks ducked back behind the hill that they had used to round the corner.
"Not according to plan! This is not according to plan!" Tetsuo yelled on the comms.
"We can still take them! Line give them the Mad Minute! Scout charge them! We will cap the flag!" Keiji instructed and everyone went into action.
Ryoji poked his turret out and started firing shell after shell at the Panzer 4 line. Since the battle at Saunders, he and his crew had focus to increase their rate of fire. With a little help from Keiji and inspiration from the Royal Navy, they manage to achieve an insane rate of fire even if it is only for a minute. Ryoji and his crew had some ammunition brought out of the ammunition rack and arranged in such a way that it could be easily and quickly loaded. This technique and some good old fashion practice has gave them the intended result. The fastest rate of fire they are able to clock in so far is twenty five rounds per minute. In the tank, every crew member help in the reload as the sound of gunfire and its heat reached intolerable level. Screams of loading instructions, announcement of shots fired, report of shot effectiveness, shot corrections filled the internal comms of the T-34 as the crew picked up the pace guided by pure muscle memory.
While Ryoji and his crew try their best impression of a giant machine gun, Tetsuo and his crew rushed forward firing wildly as they went along in a zigzag pattern. For them, their countless hours of practice has shown them just how far can they drift before they start barrel rolling. All the corners they took were on the razor's edge of tipping over the vehicle. This had the unexpected effect of making it difficult for the enemy gunners to accurately track the BT-7's movement.
Things were looking up for Keiji and his team as Keiji's T-34 surged forward to locate and kill Maho's Tiger, Kuromorimine's flag tank. Should be a simple task. But when Keiji's tank emerged from behind the hill, the spot where Maho's tank is supposed to be is empty. Keiji was about to look around when an explosion is heard near Ryoji's tank followed by the signature shrieking of a German 88mm cannon from the far right answered any question about that empty spot. Keiji looked to his right and smiled at the Tiger with the smoking barrel and is considerably closer.
"Clever girl." Keiji commented with an impressed smile before directing his tank to fire on the Tiger.
"Thank you." Maho said looking at Keiji through her binoculars with a satisfied smile as her crew reloaded. She then has her gunner switch target. Her initial plan was to end the match with a single precise shot at Keiji. But the sudden braking done by Takashi throws off her gunner's aim. Knowing that it is near impossible to hit Keiji's tank that is now charging her position in an erratic pattern, she had her gunner aim at the other T-34. The one with the crazy rate of fire. Once it is out the remaining Panzer 4 could easily deal with the BT-7 and help take out Keiji's T-34.
"Kyoji just hit the Tiger! Anywhere would do! Throw off their next shot!" Keiji ordered as he sees Maho's Tiger pointed its gun at Ryoji's tank and understood what she is thinking. Kyoji aimed for the gun mantlet and squeezed the trigger just as Takashi swerved a few degrees to the right to dodge a shell fired from a Panzer 4. Though they manage to avoid being knock out, Kyoji's aim was off and the shell smashed itself violently at the Tiger's left turret cheek and shook the tank.
In the Tiger, Maho's loader was about to push in the next shell when she felt the tank shook and the shell knocked out of her hand. She watch in horror as the shell's tip hit some of the tank's interior fitting before landing at the bottom of the tank with a loud clang. Instantly all activity in the Tiger ceased and for a second, the world was silent as she screamed out in blind panic the phrase that no Senshado practitioner would want to hear.
"Fire in the hull! Evacuate!"
The world came back to life as the gravity of the situation hit everyone in the tank like a tonne of bricks. Panic and terror is mixed in with training as everyone in the tank opened their personal escape hatch and quickly got out of the vehicle. As this was happening, the Tiger's driver hit a button labeled 'Emergency'. This sets off a built in safety mechanism that was install just for such a situation. This safety mechanism is installed in all tanks participating in Senshado before it can approved by the Senshado Federation for use. Most of the time considered a nuisance, since it needs constant maintenance, but it is every Senshado practitioner's protector. The mechanism waste no time in triggering a series of built in launchers in the Tiger and three red flares are seen taking to the skies as the Tiger's crew got out of the tank. Next to be activated is a distress beacon in the vehicle. This is to convey to the Control Room that something is wrong.
All other tanks, Kuromorimine and Spartan, halted their activity as the three red stream in the sky caught everyone's attention. A broadcast was made to have all active vehicles standdown and await further instruction. Live feed to the battle was swiftly cut as the emergency services that is on standby during the match kicked into action.
Keiji felt a sickening turn in his stomach when he saw the three flares tore into the sky. The feeling of dread grew as the general broadcast was made. Then it felt like someone stabbed him in the gut when he looked through his binoculars and see only four figure gathered some distance away from the vehicle and panicking when they realised they were one person short. His felt the blood in him freeze over when he realised the flare shot up is not for the reason what he thought it was. At that moment he realised that he may be the only one to know something else that had happened.
Several seconds earlier, Keiji saw the shell from his tank smashed the side of the Tiger's turret. The impact had shook the vehicle violently. In that moment he saw something that is truly scary. As the vehicle shook he watched as Maho, who had her upper body out of her commander cupola, suddenly dropped to her neck level and her forehead smashed onto the cold hard metal of the cupola and her entire person slumped into her seat.
Keiji swallowed hard as if to swallow down the the fear and dread building up inside him. Then all the year of lectures, practices and mental conditioning got him moving. All those years helping out in his mother's dojo is now starting to pay dividend. Those pointless hours long lectures on safety has steeled him for this very moment.
"Scout, the Tiger crew has declared emergency and are in a state of panic. Get to them and report your finding." Keiji broadcast over the teams frequency as his mother's lesson rang in his head. In Senshado,safety comes first. Before victory and before philosophy. It is second to nothing. Without it there is no Senshado. "Line coordinate with the emergency services. Line's position is the base of operation. Flag will go and aid the Tiger."
"On my way!"
"Yes sir!"
Although everyone complained about the safety drill and briefing that Keiji put the team through, no one dared to ignore it. There was a lot of things that Keiji can let slide. He is, for most of the time, an easy going guy. But when he got serious, no one had dared to question him on the spot. They could ask him the reason later but not when things are happening. This is one of those moment. His tone shifted to one of deadly serious. No one question it. Everyone knew that he always have a good reason behind it and would always give an explanation later. Right now Keiji needed help and no one dared say no. Especially when they know that there is an emergency and that they are the closest to help. Besides the normal training, everyone under Keiji were taught basic first aid and had trained on emergency procedures so much that they can do it blindfolded. For now they would follow Keiji's orders and trust in their training.
"Scout to Flag. The Tiger has a live round in it and the Tiger crew is short of the commander. She could still be in the tank." Tetsuo delivered his report through the radio.
"Roger. Evac the crew to base. Flag will look for the missing crew. Line relay to the authority." Keiji instructed as his T-34 rushed pass the BT-7.
"On it!" Tetsuo replied as shouts of instructions filled the background noise.
"Yes sir!" Ryoji said before switching frequency.
As Tetsuo and Ryoji carried out their orders, Keiji climbed out of the turret and stood on it as his tank nears the now inactive Tiger. Upon stopping side by side beside the Tiger, Keiji jumped onto the its engine deck and waste no time in rushing to the turret. As he is doing that, his crew button down their T-34 and got ready to leave at a moment's notice. This is a life and death situation and they are not going to screw it up.
Upon reaching the turret, Keiji peered into the turret and sure enough he found Maho slumped down on her seat with some blood trickling down her forehead. Further down, he can see the very big and very live 88mm shell lying ominously at the bottom of the tank. Not wanting to stay there any longer than he has to, Keiji reached in and got his arms under Maho's and started to pull her out of the tank. After some considerable effort, Keiji manage to slowly pull Maho out of the turret and had her sitting, with her legs still in the turret, on the commander's cupola.
Knowing that dragging an unconscious body by the arm is not practical, he leaned Maho's upper body on his chest with his left hand supporting her back while his right hand went under both her legs. Lifting with his legs, he got Maho up and carried her across the Tiger's engine deck. Feeling the gap between the Tiger and his T-34 to be wider than it is, Keiji jumped and landed on the centre of his tank's engine deck. But the momentum from the added weight was too much and he lost balance. Seeing that he is going face first to the turret of the T-34, Keiji turned just in time his right shoulder to slam on to the turret instead. Seeing that his friend is in board, Soujiro got Takashi to speed the tank out of the area and headed towards Ryoji's position where the emergency services are arriving at.
Keiji, feeling partly responsible of the state of things, checked Maho while enroute and concluded that she has a concussion. The T-34 engine deck is unbearably hot but Keiji continued to sit on it. His right shoulder begin to ache but he continued to lean on the turret. Seeing that he cannot do anything for the concussion at the moment, Keiji decided to tend to Maho's bleeding forehead. Upon reaching Ryoji's position just as an ambulance did, Maho was placed on a stretcher and rushed to the nearby hospital with Keiji in it as the paramedics decided he can brief them on Maho's condition while enroute.
Ending Note
Fun fact, I did the cover image myself and it is mentioned at least one in this story. Can you guess how it is related to the story? Also if any of you are wondering where is Maho in the notes, she is being very understanding and has not been threate- *ahem...disturbing me.
So what do you think of thins chapter? Is it bad? Good? Do let me know! I hope the break I took did not let my writing gone to shit.
Well, see you guys next month!