There was a powerful explosion as one of the tanks was rocked by a very large round. The M5 Stuart light tank was flipped onto its side, and a white flag popped out. The flanking force had been discovered. They were being picked apart one by one from range. The gunner of that tank was a good shot, even better than their own sharpshooter. The large tank maneuvered to a different position. The tank was a Centurion Mk.1. The tank was commanded by a tanker from one of the American schools. And from what the team was told, he was as deadly as they said. But then the shots stopped coming in, and the tank fell silent. Pascal had ordered the tank to maneuver to the next position along a treeline heading out of the town. The tank was suddenly hit, and a 37mm round bounced off the turret. A lucky shot. He ordered the tank to fire. All of this was against what the team had planned, and he knew his time was close to being over, so he was going all out. He and his crew were racking up numbers that the team hadn't ever seen before, all while the team commander is yelling obscenities over the radio. Pascal couldn't help but smile.

Over the Atlantic on an American Airlines flight to New York, he was remembering the last battle he had fought before he left, setting an unprecedented record number of knockouts for the team, recording 22 tanks confirmed and another 4 unconfirmed. The team record was 10. He knew his time was done, and he needed to leave his mark on the team before leaving. However, getting on the plane at Heathrow, he was keeping a close eye on the battle between Lone Star and JayPac. He knew that battle could very well go south, and he hoped it wouldn't. The last time he had fought them, he and a couple of other people had to hold Jay back from ripping the then sub-commanders head off. After takeoff, the match was underway, and he was watching it intently.

Texas Arena

The Hellcat and the Jumbo Pershing had come under fire, with burn marks from the shells streaking along the side of the hull and the turret of the Pershing. The two tanks, however, managed to hold off and win a firefight with the Lone Star tanks. Jay, however, was being patched up in the turret by his loader. A bit of shrapnel from a round that hit the Pershing grazed him in the cheek, cutting a small gash.

"You know this is why you should stay inside during a firefight, cap." His loader told him.

"I know, I know. I got caught in the moment." He said, making sure the bandage was secured.

"Waifu, great work on taking those guys out," Jay said into the radio. He sounded a little labored when he spoke, still wincing at the pain from the wound.

"No problem, these Shermans are nothing." Jay pulled himself out of the cupola, looking at the field full of smoking tanks. The crews were all waiting for the recovery vehicles to come and get them.

"Well, We better get going. Let's move into the town on the left flank, we may be able to pull some of our units with us." Jay said on the radio.

"Copy that, driver get us moving." The heavy tank began moving forward, with Jay ordering his driver to follow them. The two tanks moved closer to the town, and the firefight there was still going strong.

In the town, it was chaos. Hanz was barking orders for the tanks nearby to maneuver into cover and the heavy tanks to move up. Shouting in both English and German, the commander was beginning to lose his voice. Every time he spoke, his voice cracked. Shells came flying in from every angle. Although the short 75mm guns of the Shermans attacking them were bouncing off the tank's thick armor, it was the heavier tanks he was more focused on knocking out. Out of the corner of his eye, even through the smoke of the gun debris, he could make out a couple of tanks moving in their direction.

"Gunner, target on the right! Traverse and fire!" The turret swung around and lined up on the target. Without any hesitation, the gunner fired. "Panzer Destroyed!" Another volley of shells flew in and impacted the tanks.

"We can't take this fire for too long! They're going to mount a charge!" He had heard D-ray shout into the radio.

"Verdammt…" He knew that D-ray was right, they had already lost a couple of Chaffees, Kyle's tank was in an alley undergoing some emergency maintenance, and they had just heard that Jay was on his way back into the town. "Scheiße!" He slammed his fist against the turret wall. The tank got quiet as Hanz came to grips that he had been backed into a corner. Shells were still bouncing off the turret and hull, that was until the enemy stopped firing. Hanz looked through the slits of the cupola. The smoke was still there, steadily sitting in the air. Until a large boom rang out and the King Tiger was pounded by a major hit. The shell that hit them made the armor sing in a much deeper tone than the lighter shells from the Sherman. The impact itself made the tank slide back a couple of inches. Hanz took a peek through the viewports of the cupola to see the thing he was dreading. He remembered something about the Lone Star commander mentioning that one of JayPac's tanks was sold to them, and there in front of them, it sat. The T29 heavy tank.

"Gunner! Traverse right and fire at will!" Hanz ordered. The turret began to slew around. "Driver, Reverse!" The tiger began to move backward with the gun lining up on the American heavy. "Shield 5, start retreating. We're pulling back one block, they brought some heavy muscle."

The Super Pershing fired. The shell harmlessly impacts the thick front plate of the T29. "Firing Smoke grenades." Hanz hit a switch near the hatch, which in turn launched a smoke shell. The shell exploded in front of them, covering the tanks in a thick layer of smoke.

"Damnit Hanz, why are you pulling back now…" Cody said. He was monitoring the area from atop his Panther. He was under the protection of the IS-3, and his forces. He had sent the two light tanks ahead of them to scout for enemy targets ahead. He wished he could help with the situation everyone was in, but the best option was just for them to hang back and let the team do their thing.

"Sniper 1, are you still at holding point alpha?" Jay asked. His, as well as Shield 4's tanks, were blasting down the roads in the town toward their position.

"Yes we are, unfortunately, our scouts couldn't find anything. Scout 2, Scout 3, return to our position." Jay sighed a breath of relief.

"Shield 1, we're gonna regroup with Sniper and figure out how to take the flag tank out." There was radio silence. Not a sound came over except for the light static. "Shield 1, Hanz, did you copy? D-Ray, Kyle, do you guys copy?"

"This is Shield 3, we're back in business and heading to regroup. We had some engine trouble, but we're all good now."

"Shield 5 and 1 copies. I think Shield 1 is a bit down having to retreat the way we did. We ran into our old friend." D-Ray replied. Jay opened the cupola and looked out, glad to see all of the Flag Tank units still there. Nothing hadn't really changed from the beginning of the match, and by now three hours had passed. He directed Shield 4 to take position near the front with the IS-3 for the time being. He climbed out of the tank, bringing with him a map he had of the arena. He began looking around the map for potential areas where the flag tank could be hiding. He had to think underhandedly.

"This is Scout 2, we've encountered another enemy force. Sector Echo two-five." He referenced the point on the map and scoffed a little.

"I thought he would be parking his butt somewhere, this bastard has been tailing you guys this whole time!" He heard the rumbling of tank treads nearby, and he looked up to see the 3 heavies coming down the side road.

"Good, it's just y'all. Shield 3, standby at the edge of the formation. You and I have some business to take care of. Shield 1, stay behind that Panther at all costs. Shield 5, head over to the right side of the flag tank." The tanks all got into formation.

"We can take these guys down, remember what you can and can't do," Jay said. "Leon, take the group back into the city. If my intuition is correct, they would've kept their ground. Kyle, you're with me. We're gonna surprise them with a little something special."

A few minutes had passed and the large group of tanks had long since left. Jay was intently waiting for the group to pass. He peeked around a corner, having dismounted his tank to get a better look. From the corner, he could see the tank. They were falling right into his trap. He checked around the corner again, only to see that the tanks were stopped as if they knew they were waiting for them.

"C'mon you bastard, keep it coming…" Jay said. The Sherman that was carrying their flag was a Sherman with a Pershing turret mounted to it. It seemed to be looking right back at him. He could see ported sticking his head out of the top of it and yelling something at the two tanks ahead of him. The two tank commanders acknowledged him and began driving forward. "Shit!" He ran back to his tank. He could hear the Shermans getting closer. He put his helmet on and switch on the radio. "Shield 3 hold fire! Don't shoot the Shermans coming up." Unfortunately, the message didn't get through clearly to them, and the T34 took out the Sherman rushing past. The impact threw the tank into the Sherman next to it, causing them both to spin out. Whit flag popped out of the Sheman's turret.

"Jay take out the other one!" He heard Kyle shout.

"Fire!" Jay covered his ears as the gun of the tank went off with him under it. He climbed back into the tank. "Our plan is blown! Chase him down!" The Hellcat ripped around a corner to give chase, followed by the T34 which came through a small grove of trees. A shell ripped by them as they gave chase. The flag tank had fired and missed his shot. Jay thought of the panic Porter would be going through, seeing a T34 fire on him. A shot rang out.

Cody's position…

Cody was calmly looking down the sights, frustrated he could get a shot on the tanks giving chase to his group. The plan had been for them to clean out the city, but that was exactly what Lone Star wanted them to do. The IS-3 had been taken out right from the start of the attack. Cody knew they needed to take out the armor to get to the soft target. One by one every single one of his units had been taken out trying to hold them back. He had knocked out a couple of Shermans who slipped from behind the King Tiger but not much more. He wanted to get rid of that T29.

"Cody! Keep it pushing partner!" He heard Leon say. He climbed up top and looked through the viewing slits in time to see the jumbo Pershing perform a powerslide and turn to face the T29 and its entourage of Shermans.

"Nein! Leon!"
"No mercy! Charge!" The Pershing fired and charged toward the enemy. It was soon taken out. Through the smoke, he could see one more Sherman and the T29 emerge.

"Cody, just keep going!" He saw the King Tiger get hit, throwing a track off and spinning out. "Verdammt! Fire!" The King Tiger fired at the Sherman, knocking it out, but the T29 returned the favor. Now it was just the two of them. He ordered the driver to make a right at the next intersection to which he complied, but he regretted the decision immediately.

Jay's position…

The boys were moving in on the flag tank, the chase had taken them to the edge of the town and they were moving. The Engine was on the verge of overheating, but Jay was just focused on bagging the target. He could only hear one thing on his mind; "Knock that guy out." He was so close to getting a shot but the Sherman with him was driving perfectly. That was until the tank suddenly flipped forward from the hit it took. He there was a clear shot on the tank.

"FIRE!" The tank rocked, the shell was in flight, and it impacted the tank. A white flag popped up, and Jay cheered. "Yes! Take that home with ya!" Jay opened the cupola hatch and stuck his head and shoulders out of it. He was expecting to see the sulking faces of Porter and his crew, but to his shock, they were also cheering. He just ignored it.

"Sniper, do you copy?"

"Yeah, we do."

"Did you make it?"

"Negative. We were knocked out." Those words cut through the remaining two tank crews like a deep freeze. Jay was shocked. He didn't know how to respond. "We've..uh..lost this one."

"We're coming over to tow you back… sit tight.." Kyle said over the radio. "C'mon Jay let's go get 'em."

"Move out.." Jay said. The tank turned and made its way up to the T34's position. The two made their way over to the Panther's position, stopping briefly to listen to what sounded like tank guns firing off in the distance. Almost simultaneously. He had heard that Lone Star would fire their guns in celebration, but he couldn't see any shells going airborne. The tank peeled around a corner and came to an abrupt stop when he saw what had happened to the Panther. And its crew. And he knew who was responsible for this.

Texas Arena Hotel, hours later…

The team was all gathered in the lobby, awaiting Jay's return from the hospital. The crew of the Panther had to be taken to the ER, as they were suffering from major concussions and lacerations from being thrown around in the tank. Not to mention Cody had gotten it the worst, as he was outside the tank when whatever happened had happened. Soon Jay and Hanz arrived back at the hotel, Hanz had a stoic look on his face, while Jay looked beaten.

"What happened?"

"Is everyone ok? Will they be flying back with us?" Questions bombarded the commander, but Hanz was the one that silenced them.

"According to the doctors, those in the tank suffered the least injuries. So yes, some of them will be flying back with us. As for Cody and the driver, Sanford, they were hit the hardest." Jay was busy just trying to process the whole ordeal. He had never had anyone of his teammates injured to such a degree.

"We'll keep you all updated about their condition. For now, go and rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." Jay said. Almost everyone cleared out and returned to their rooms. He sat down on one of the stools, looking straight ahead. What made the whole situation worse was that there was no evidence to prove what had happened broke some sort of rule. They knew what they were doing, sending a message to put them in their place.

Hanz was talking with one of his crew members who were still around, keeping a close eye on Jay to make sure he didn't do anything drastic. That was until someone walked in the door.

The person Jay knew was responsible for injuring his teammates. His family.

"Well, well." Porter started. "I just wanna say, it was a good game." He said. Porter still had a stuck-up expression on his face. "I mean, you got me, man. Just a tad too late." Hanz was focused on the conversation, but Jay just sat there, not even looking at him.

"So you just gonna sit there, loser?" One of his lackeys said. "No wonder he couldnt protect his flag tank, can't even defend himself." He reached out to tip Jay off the barstool, but Hanz rushed in and stopped him.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He said, pushing his arm away.

"Outta the way Fritz, can't you see I'm trying to tell this guy about his tank? And how we wrecked it?"

"You what?"

"Oh don't play dumb, you know we did that," Porter said. He shoved Hanz out of the way and looked at him. "You best remember which side you're on." Jay silently stood up and walked up to Porter. And before he could remark, Jay wound up and socked him square in the gut. Porter let out a dry yelp and collapsed to the floor, trying to catch his breath.

"What the hell?!" Jay looked at the two guys, who backed away slowly. "Hey man, we're cool, right? We're cool?"

"Funny I don't remember Cody asking that as you blasted his tank into oblivion." Porter had gotten to his feet, still trying to catch his breath, and Jay again socked him in the gut. This time Porter threw up his dinner when he got hit. Some of it splashed onto Jay, but he didn't care. One of his teammates caught Porter and helped him out of the lobby.

"Doesn't matter anyway, he'll be fighting in the Finals…" Jay said, shaking his hand a little. It was sore from the punch he had thrown.

"I told him not to do it," Hanz said. "No one listens.."

"Well, let me go change and rest up, I guess. We got a long flight back." Jay said. "And thanks, Hanz. I probably would've broken the guy's arm if you hadn't grabbed it."

"Anytime."

Gerald R. Ford, two days later…

The team was a bit silent as the last of the tanks had gotten parked into place. It was bittersweet because most of them would be back the next year, but for some, it would be their last ride with JayPac. Jay knew he had a couple of years left with the team, but they probably wouldn't be doing anything much.

"It's about time you lot got back." A familiar voice echoed through the hangar. Everyone turned to see who it was, and they're standing at the entrance was the former Subcommander.

"Hey, Pac-Man is back in town!" D-ray shouted. Everyone rushed over to welcome the team member home. After everyone had said their hello's, Hanz stood before him. The two eyed each other.

"So you're the infamous Hanz Moscowich?" He asked.

"Jawol, and you must be Pascal." He replied.

"That would be correct. I've been watching how you lead my squad, and I gotta say. I'm impressed."

"I had to learn from someone. And I was watching your old matches from when you were here." He said.

"Fair enough. Now, where is Jay, exactly."

"I'm right here, buddy," Jay said. "Welcome back."

"From what I've been hearing, we've got a lot of catching up to do," Pascal said.

"Unfortunately, yes. Follow me. Hanz, you as well." The three made their way up to one of the empty rooms.

"So, I heard what happened. And I'm shocked you're in such a somber mood." Pascal said.

"Why wouldn't I be somber? We're out of the final round and we lost a tank along with its crew." Jay said. "Is there something I don't know?"

"Apparently someone doesn't watch the sports news." Pascal pulled out his phone and played a video. It was a report on what happened during the semi-finals. Jay read the caption and nearly had a heart attack.

"What the hell? You mean..?"

"That's right. You've moved on to the Finals. And I'm gonna fill in for Cody."