"Oh dear, Hans is going to get us now," Cameron "Kamui" Sanderson said, worried as they hurried up the dorm staircase with multiple bags of McDonald's food as breakfast for him and their friends.
"It's not like our fault McDonald's was lined up all the way to the street!" Nathaniel Hodgekin retorted, carrying the other bags of food for him and their friends.
The two finally reached the landing of the stairs, moved quickly through the dorm common area, and equally quickly opened the door to their suite, and then the door to their friend's room.
An angry voice barked at them, "pre-match coverage started five minutes ago, cooler three weeks for you both!" Henry "Hans" Busch said.
"We tried to hurry," Nathaniel said, pleading their case.
"You did your best; this should not be held against you. Perhaps it was fate that made you slow?" Charles "Valterri" Timmons responded.
"Well, whatever, did you at least get my Fanta?" Hans asked, seeming to calm down some.
"Yeah, here" Nathaniel said, handing him the drink as the four of them got settled in four lounge chairs they had dragged in from the dorm common area. All of them were excited, they were going to watch their university tankery team, the ICBM rebels, face the Hatfield's of Louisville.
Each of the four had a team on the Japanese tankery circuit that each adored. They were some of the biggest fans of their respective schools in the western hemisphere. Nathaniel Hodgekin was a fan of Saunders university and their armada of Sherman M4's. Henry "Hans" Busch, was a fan of the German represented school of Kuromorimine and their Tiger's, Panther's, and other assorted German tanks. Cameron "Kamui" Sanderson was a fan of the true to Japan school Chi-Ha-Tan and their small and maneuverable tanks and charging tactics. Finally, Charles "Valterri" Timmons was the fan of Finnish represented school Jatkosota and their hodgepodge arrangements of German, Soviet, and homegrown tanks. Each of them used their soul names in their company, wishing to have been members of their dream schools.
As each of them ate and watched the pre-match coverage, a round table discussion with various tankers, coaches, and a presenter. Nathaniel asked, "did we miss them making any talk about our match?"
"No, hopefully they'll make mention of our match soon" Valterri said, sipping on some coffee.
The time was now 11:30, and the presenter said to the audience, "for our viewers looking to watch the ICBM rebels at the Hatfield's, we are switching our coverage to the pre-match festivities after this 30 second message from our friends at Fram filters".
"Well, so much for getting a preview of our match" Hans grumbled.
"No need, it's best they don't remind us of that embarrassment last week" Valterri said grimly.
The other friends nodded, as the commercial for Fram filters ended, and the introduction by the commentators began, "Good morning everyone and welcome to this Southern Tankery Conference vs Great Northern Tankery Conference matchup with the ICBM Rebels of Campbell taking on the Hatfield's of Louisville. I want to welcome you inside the broadcast center here at the KFC Yum! Center. He is 4-time GNTC conference champion Troy Jameson, and I'm Dave Buck. Troy, your thoughts on the teams before opening ceremonies begin".
"Well Dave, The Hatfield's are bitter about losing in the conference tournament to GCSE after being on cloud nine from defeating the McCoy's in the tournament. So, they are looking to start the year off right with a new banner they're going to hang up. ICBM, meanwhile, had an exhibition match against GCSE to warm up. But Dave, I've seen natural disasters that were less catastrophic compared to how ICBM played during their match. Destroyed in less than an hour and GCSE only fired 3 shots for their 3 kills. So, ICBM will be looking for their first tankery win as an organization, but it'll be an uphill battle against the Hatfield's".
"Speaking of uphill, both teams will have to go uphill if they want to not get stuck. The Hatfield's won the toss and chose the starting point at West Point. Forcing ICBM to start in the middle of nowhere effectively".
"And that's not taking into consideration the rain that's coming in from the west and affecting the Hatfield's in exactly an hour," Troy said.
"Oh great, that's the last thing they need, to fight the rain and the Hatfield's" Nat said.
"Who's to say that our Rebels can't use it to their advantage" Valterri countered.
"Yeah, yeah, blizzard or storm, or the sun warm and bright, our tanks will win the fight!" Hans jokingly sang.
"Easy Tiger, you ain't on your ship of Tiger's and Panther's yet," laughed Nat.
The broadcast finished mentioning the weather forecast and turned over to the PA announcer in the arena itself, "Good morning and welcome ladies and gentlemen to the KFC Yum! Center. As the ICBM Rebels face your Hatfield School of Tankery team of the University of Louisville!" the announcer said proudly, as the meager home crowd cheered, the 18,000 seat or so arena had been brightly lit, before the lights were dimmed, with a single spotlight on. "Folks, at the last GNTC tournament the Hatfield school of Tankery experienced an incredible feat. Defeating the rival McCoy's in the quarter finals of the tournament. In honor of this great achievement, a banner will be raised to commemorate this moment." A red banner with a white outline was hoisted into the rafters of the arena, to the cheers of the meager audience.
"And now for the starting line ups, first for the ICBM Rebels" the PA announcer said as he read out the various members of both teams.
"The team does look good in the away uniforms," Kamui remarked.
"Look good, feel good, and you play good," Valterri said with satisfaction as the lineups continued.
"We could use more hefty tanks," Hans said, somewhat dismayed.
"It isn't about the size of the tanks; it's how you use the size of the tanks" Nat said.
Lineups concluded, the national anthem played, and the command was given to start the tanks engines, with the quartet all growing more eager to see a tankery match involving their alma mater.
"As the opening ceremonies finish, let's check in with our tank side pit reporters, first Christine Peavy for the ICBM Rebels" Dave Buck announced as the camera changed to a pale, dark haired, 35-year-old female reporter standing in front of the running ICBM tanks.
"Hello Dave, hello Troy. Only minor bumps in the road to report here. The tanks for ICBM were slow to arrive, meaning crews did not have them all here at the pits until 8 pm last night, in fact ICBM had to be given a waiver for the mandatory curfew so they could get all the tanks in. Also, starting out here in the genuine middle of nowhere. This middle of nowhere location meant that the bus and van delivering the team from the hotel ran right up against the cutoff time to get ready. Freshman commander Jeremiah Ezekiel reminded his team, "this is the true start to the season, what happened at GCSE is behind us, and to rile up the Hatfield's and get under their skin" an interesting tactic to say the least '' Christine Peavy finished reporting.
"Thank you Christine, and now we'll check in on our Hatfield reporter, James Bergin" Dave Buck said, as the camera turned away from the rather sunny view of the ICBM tanks to the much grayer and cloudier Hatfield pit area, with a sizeable gray cloud behind the black reporter, at 28 years old with bushy black hair and beard.
"Hello Dave, Troy, Christine. Nothing major to report here as the Hatfield's get ready to start. Commander Thomas Hatfield reminded his team to keep calm, enjoy the banner raising and to not underestimate this ICBM team even after their thrashing by GCSE last week." Dave Bergin reported.
"Dave, we can see the rain cloud behind you. We know the rain is coming, are the Hatfeld's worried?" Troy asked the reporter.
"Troy, it is very humid down here. The rain is coming, there was some dissent here among the ranks. With some wanting to try and end the match quickly, with the Hatfield commander and subcommander having to remind the dissenters the lack of experience on the ICBM and that the rain will be to their advantage" Dave Bergin finished.
The camera then quickly changed from the reporter to showing the head referee with a pistol flare in his hand, "let the match begin!" he declared, firing the pistol with the green flare to start the match.
The camera changed again to a split screen with both sets of tanks setting off, with announcer Dave Buck declaring, "and this match is underway!".
"It'll be good to see how both sides will start out," Troy said with excitement.
"I just hope they do a better formation than last week" Hans complained watching the two teams go.
The two teams each made their formations and climbed the rolling hills of the northwestern Kentucky countryside. With both teams coming to a stop once they climbed hills on their side of the battlefield. The pair of drone cameras circled the stopped tanks as the camera's microphones could hear orders being told by the respective commanders.
The Hatfield team had buttoned themselves up as the drone camera was now being rained on with light sprinkles. The broadcast then switched to the drone orbiting around the ICBM tanks. Showing the ICBM group was also buttoned up, minus Commander Zeke, who spotted the drone, waving a two-finger greeting to it.
"He sure does know how to pose for the camera" Hans said, his arms crossed at the lack of action and the commander doing his best to show confidence.
"He's taken to this position very well. I mean, taking in the fact he is a freshman commander. With no tankery experience either" Nat said.
Valterri, Hans, and Kamui turned to Nat with their eyes wide as saucers, "what do you mean he has no experience in tankery?" they said in unison at this statement with disbelief.
But before the quartet could begin to discuss the matter, the broadcast changed again as a second drone had been deployed to the Hatfield location, just in time to catch two M5 Stuarts disappearing down the ridge.
"Action time" Dave Buck announced excitedly on the broadcast.
"Looks like the Hatfield's will want to draw first blood, let's see how ICBM responds" Troy Jameson said as the camera then showed the two CTSL 4TA tanks roaring off the top of the ridge.
As the announcers talked about the four tanks, comparing and contrasting them, all the while showing a side by side with the two drones following the pairs of tanks. As the quartet watched the battle playout, Hans was left cross armed and annoyed.
"Why does this school even have those things" Hans huffed, "even upgraded, they are only good for reconnaissance".
"But they are amphibious, look how much water is in that creek" Valterri remarked in reference to the creek the 4TA tanks were following, "the rain is only going to get worse and both sets of tanks nearly caused a landslide going down".
"Even so, trading the Locust's to GCSE was not ideal" Nat quipped back.
Hans chuckled, "no, what we got back from them, I'd have sold my soul for, three good tanks, and two of the best rising commanders in the nation". He then changed his tone, adding, "I just wish it was the 4TA's that they traded".
The quartet nodded as they were suddenly captivated by the shootout of the four tanks, trading blows, with an M5 taking out a 4TA, then the second 4TA miraculously taking out an M5 in return. With the Lee and Longstreet Locust's arriving on the scene, and with them trading blows as well. Wallace took out the remaining M5, with the Hatfield Locust's arriving on the scene.
From there in the fire fight, Logan Albrecht's Locust made a stand as his friend was taken out, leaving only himself to fight the pair of Hatfield Locust's. Logan miraculously defeated one of them. From out of nowhere the ICBM Chafee came to save the day, as the camera showed the Chafee flying in, firing a single shot and defeating the remaining Hatfield Locust.
The quartet of ICBM students were in awe of the heroics of Kurt Henson's Chafee, and chatted about him endlessly. Everyone finally seemed to calm down as the broadcasters analyzed the shootout that just happened. Giving various points until they were interrupted by the very quick shootout between the Hatfield and ICBM Chafee's.
Again, the quartet and announcers were amazed by the accuracy of the ICBM Chafee and its crew. The broadcast finally slowed down for everyone involved and allowed time to check in on other matches.
As the crew got updates about matches across the country, Nat was the first to talk, "no real surprises there" in reference to many of the matches. GCSE was dominating Gonzaga, the McCoy's of Kentucky were in a bitter fight with the Saunders American campus of Maryland, VMI held an advantage over Navy, and Alabama was set to win against UTEP.
Kamui chuckled lightly, "don't write teams off so soon, we can't be the only team who will cause an upset today".
"True that" Valterri quipped, "we were expected to lose today".
Hans shook his head, "we may have the advantage, but the only time you can relax is when the flag tanks show the surrender flag".
The others nodded, as Hans added, "even now, we may have the advantage of seven to five. That Locust needs repairs, and they're struggling to get up the hill". The others' enthusiasm quickly faded.
They watched intently as the Chafee struggled and struggled to climb the hill but was unable to. Troy on the broadcast mentioned the factors to cause this issue of the tank being unable to climb. He mentioned the rain, loose soil from earlier, being forced to tow the tank and how said tank couldn't help any. Everyone watched in vain as the ICBM members had to give up the ghost and slowly each of the other tanks made themselves comfortable in the valley and began the necessary repair work.
As the tanks struggled and struggled the broadcast crew lost sight of the Hatfield's, with the camera drones only picking them up as they split up to power up the ridges.
The tension seemed to build to the climax of the battle, an unease could be felt by the participants and the audience as the drones showed the Hatfield commander and subcommander climbing out of their tank to spy on the enemy as their tanks were lined up on guard and ready to attack.
"It's times like this, where tankery truly is hurry up and wait" sighed Nat in annoyance.
"No kidding, can they just have the shootout already?" Hans agreed.
As the tank repairs were about to be finished, both crews spotted each other, the tension picked up as the orders could be heard by the camera drones. The announcers then began to talk about strategies, how ICBM could flush out the Hatfield's into a chase or many other things in a short span of time.
About a couple minutes later, the drones could spot the spying Hatfield's running back to their tanks and their subsequent movements.
"This might be it!" Kamui muttered with increasing nervousness, to which the others nodded, their nervousness matching their friend.
The Hatfield tanks sat perched on the ridges, eyeing the ICBM members, when commander Thomas Hatfield shouted, "BANZAI!" as the cue to charge.
Kamui immediately stood up from his chair in the dorm room shouting, "BANZAI!" back to the TV, but the broadcast had quickly devolved into chaos.
All active tanks for ICBM dropped smoke grenades, blinding the Hatfield's and more importantly the camera drones. The broadcasters apologized as the operators feverishly flew the drones around trying to get eyes on the tanks.
The camera drones finally were finally able to get through the smoke screen that seemed to hang in the valley. They only caught the last couple seconds of the match, they saw two things: the Chafee crew defeating the Hatfield flag tank, and Logan's Locust having fired a late shot near Commander Zeke's M1917 tank.
The quartet were shocked in amazement as the announcers apologized for the lack of the coverage.
"No way that just happened!" Nat exclaimed.
"Did we really just not see that?" Hans remarked.
"Chi-Ha-Tan" sighed Kamui in disappointment as the charging tactic that was famously associated with the Japanese School Chi-Ha-Tan.
"That was incredible by the Chafee crew!" Valterri said in awe.
The remaining ICBM tank crews cheered as they picked up the surprisingly defeated commander's tank, which puzzled both the audience and the announcers. No one immediately questioned it, but the announcers stated they would be reviewing any possible footage to finalize statistics.
The quartet of students, like the ICBM tankers, were over the moon at this result. With the match effectively over, they turned off the broadcast and headed to lunch as it was now about four pm and they were all getting quite hungry.