KAPITEL VIER: Now Recruting… and Infiltrating…

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"We need to get ourselves out of here!"

"How are we gonna do that now, Nishizumi-dono?"

"We'll just have to split up and lure them away."

"I can't leave you behind, Nishizumi-dono! What if you get captured?"

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(Rewind about 36 hours…)

"Now, all we have to do now is to get our respective crew members," declared Tatenashi, at the presence of the commanders of the five tanks in front of them. "Do not how many you can manage, just make sure that you can at least have 3 members, including yourselves, for each tank."

"So far, Teams 1 and 4 are more or less complete: Team Captain Bodewig-san and the Schwarzer Hase contingent will commandeer the StuG III, while Kaichou-nee and I will board the IS Heavy with the Nohotoke sisters," added Kanzashi, while checking the crew status of their tanks. "Which means Teams 3 and 5 will need about 4 more members to properly operate the V39 and Easy Eight, respectively; while Team 2 will need 3 for the Cromwell…"

Cecilia and Charlotte got to scratching their heads trying to think of who to add from their classmates. Houki, on the other hand, was already counting up the people she could add.

"Well, since Rin doesn't have any tank to command, I think it's just right for me to adopt her. There's also Mizuki-san from the Archery club; her aiming skills will come in handy. Now as to the other two…"

Then, she got an idea. Immediately, she inquired the rest. "Excuse me, but is it okay if at least the Commander would do double duty in the tank?"

"Well, as long as you can manage, then I don't see why not," Tatenashi replied. "Although I would advise that you leave gunnery and driving duties to someone else."

"I see…"

With that, Houki brought out her cellphone and called a recently-met acquaintance.

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"Hello?"

"Um, hello… Is this the Gotanda Residence?"

"Yes, this is Ran speaking. May I know who this is?"

"This is Shinonono Houki, we met before during the festival at my family's shrine, remember?"

"Ah! Hello, Houki-san! It's nice to hear from you again."

"Same to you, Ran. I just want to ask if you have anything to do for the next 7 days?"

"Well, I technically don't have classes for the next 8 days, so I'm pretty much free. Why do you ask?"

"Have you heard of the sport called Sensha-Do?"

"Yes…"

"What if I offer you a chance to participate in one and get a chance to at least be a part of the IS Academy even before you officially enter as a student next year?"

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Will I be able to meet Ichika as well?!"

"*sighs* Yes…"

"Alright, count me in! When should I be there?"

"Well, we still have to practice, so as soon a normally possible; at least first thing tomorrow. I'll arrange for security to grant you limited access to the Academy."

"Thank you, Houki-san! I'll be there first thing tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll see you then."

*CLICK*

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Meanwhile…

"Are you sure about this, Yukari-san?" Miho inquired as the two of them reach the tram station which leads directly to the IS Academy.

"This will be easy, Nishizumi-dono," Yukari answered while double-checking the school uniforms they will be using once they successfully enter the complex. "All we need to do is take pictures of their tanks, and exit the academy. And besides, based on my experience this will be relatively easier than the time I spied on Saunders."

"I dunno. Your infiltration did not actually involve students who have access to technologically-superior powered armor. What if something bad happened to us?"

"No need to worry. I already made contact with Saemonza-dono's cousin who's also a student in the Academy. She promised to help us when things go FUBAR. We'll be okay."

"Well, if you say so, Yukari-san." Miho replied, while taking a set of the Academy uniform, as they boarded the tram. Besides, she has quite a lot more to be worried about, in particular that possibility that she'd bump into that man again.

"Mother... Nee-san… what should I do if see him again?" she said to herself.

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Back at Ōarai Academy, Yuzu and Momo were busy with the usual paper works, in particular acquiring the essential upgrade for their Hetzer: the 105mm L/28 Howitzer.

While they were doing that though, Anzu was inside her office conversing on the telephone.

"I see. So those three were actually among your guests for the match eh? I must say they were quite good in their recon duty, but they seem to have overlooked the element of stealth."

"…"

"Well, I'll be having a couple of students from our team coming into your Academy. Please do show them proper courtesy, okay? I could not risk losing our valuable assets before the upcoming Sensha-Do World Cup."

"…"

"Okay, pleasure talking to you then. Until we meet in the battlefield…"

With that, she finished the phone call and continued with her usual paperwork duty. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

"Kaichou, our 'reinforcements' have arrived and would like to meet you now."

"Okay, Kawashima," she said. "Let them in…"

In came four women of different attires, indicating the schools where they came. This surprised Anzu, who was actually expecting five.

"Say, where's Duce?" she asked.

"I tried to contact her yesterday, but her second-in-command told me not to disturb her," said one of the girls, who wore a red uniform which contrasted her bright yellow hair.

"No need to worry; I'll have my second-in-command 'convince' her to come join us within the next two days…" replied the other girl who had dark brown, neck-length hair.

"Okay; just keep yourselves comfortable for now. I'll introduce you all to the team later on. I'm sure they'll be in for a surprise, especially Nishizumi-chan…"

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Will Cecilia and Charlotte get crews for their tanks? Will Miho and Yukari be successful in their infiltration of the IS Academy? And, barring at least one (sort of), just who are these people that Anzu invited to become Ōarai's 'heavy back-up?'

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT KAPITEL…

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