Author's note: Apparently I forgot to add something in the first chapter so here it is: DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN Girls und Panzer.
And please review, follow, etc this story.
Chapter 2
School Carrier USS Nimitz
July 13 5:00 AM
Pacific Ocean
Inside a 360 square feet bedroom was Saber Aldrich who is currently using his Windows 10 laptop. Saber had woken up early that morning to finish up the paperwork that he had promised to help his commander with. He was looking up information about the Japanese school Ooarai as he would be transferring to the school along with other students in the school's tankery club as well.
Flashback
"So basically what you're saying is that since our school will be cooperating with the winners of the 63rd National High School Sensha-do Tournament with a transfer program," said Saber, who was currently searching online for information about Oarai. At the moment both of them are also in a voice call in Discord.
"Correct. Despite winning the 63rd National Tournament and defeating Select University's Sensha-do team they still have a financial problem," said the tanker team's commander. "Plus, you told me that your dad is being transferred to another factory branch in Japan so since our school is having a transfer program with Ooarai Girl's High School, I thought might as well tell you about the transfer program since you were on sick leave at the day of the announcements."
"From the document you sent me, our school's also offering a few more things for the transfer program correct?" asked Saber.
"Yeah," said the commander. "Our school offered to transfer two other tanks and their crew to Oarai and help pay off 60% of their school's debt. In addition the fees for the first term of the students that were already chosen to transfer to Oarai will be payed by the school itself."
End of Flashback
As Saber's father, Joseph Aldrich, told Saber about the fact that he had gotten a transfer and the family will be moving to Japan as the factory will have a new branch located in Japan. The builders estimate that the factory will be finished in the coming 25th of August. The reason that the family will be going to Japan earlier is to have some time to adapt to their new life style as they will be staying in Japan for quite some time.
"Aw man I still have at least 4 more sheets of paperwork to fill out." Saber whined "Why did I have to agree to help out with the paperwork"
About roughly ten minutes later, Saber leaned back against the office chair and looked at the clock on the wall.
Saber muttered "Huh 5:20 AM. Should be more than enough time to go outside for a jog and take a shower after."
Five minutes later, Saber changed into his track suit and stepped outside into the cold morning air. Saber usually jogs for 20-30 minutes as a morning routine if he wakes up early. As West Coast Navy High School was closed for the summer holidays, the Tankery team was practically responsible for opening and closing the school gates whenever they had a practice match when the school was let out for the holidays. The only people that had a key to the school gates, with the exception of the staff, are the Tankery team's Commander and his Second-in-Command, as well as the Student council president and vice president. As the school carrier would be docking in San Diego Bay tomorrow, Saber would be turning in the gate key to the team commander who would then give the key to the team's new Second-in-Command.
Suddenly Saber's phone rang and Saber picked it up.
"Hello?...Oh Leo it's you," he called over the phone. "Um yeah, we have one final practice match today why?... So let me get this straight. You still have a bit of trouble with speaking Japanese and you want me to help you before I move to Japan… OK, I'll see what I can do. OK, bye."
Saber mumbled: "The tankery practice match starts at 10:00. I still have about four hours and ten minutes. Might as well take a nap especially after staying up until half past three."
When Saber woke up from his nap it was thirty minutes before ten o clock. He quickly ran around his house while putting on his tankery uniform for West Coast Navy High's tankery team.
"I really should've set an alarm to wake me up…" groaned Saber. "If I take my Challenger Demon I should be able to reach school in time for the final tankery practice match of the year."
He quickly sprinted to the garage that his Demon was in, started the V8 engine and sped off to the school to drive the tanks to the training ground that the team's commander: Derek Griffin had rented for the final practice match.
West Coast Navy High Tankery Team
Saber's gunmetal grey Demon drove into the parking lot outside of the school area designated for the tankery team and staff members only. Derek who was leaning against the M26 Pershing that was designated as the command and flag tank said "There you are. What took you so long? I nearly called you again to remind you about the match."
"Sorry," Saber apologized "I had to do a few things first. By the way, here's the paperwork that you needed help with."
After looking at the paperwork Derek told Saber to get in his M103 as half of the tankery team were already en-route to the practice grounds. The other half of the tankery team were just starting their tank's engines. The M103 pulled up beside Saber and Saber climbed the tank and got into the commander's seat in the tank. The M103 followed the flag tank to the training grounds for the final practice match. Behind the M103 were some M4A3E8 Shermans, M24 Chaffees, M26 Pershings, Panzer IV ausf D with the long barrel 7.5cm cannon, SU-85s and Jagdpanzer IVs.
The practice match was similar to a Sensha-do match except that five of the tanks on each side were post war tanks.
Saber asked Derek: "So how many tanks does each of our team have for the match this time?"
"This time we're going to have 25 tanks each team with 5 of the tanks being Cold War tanks," Derek replied, while looking at his clipboard.
"We're going to sort out the teams once we reach the area." Derek said.
West Coast Navy High's tankery instructor and vice instructor would be spectating the match in their M1A2 Abrams. After driving for twenty minutes, the remaining team members reached the training ground and began to refuel their tanks. Once the tanks were all fueled up both teams went to their starting positions in the training ground.
The announcers for the practice match were Henry Wilchcombe and Chelsea Miller, who were also the school's Tankery Instructors. Both of them commanded an M1A2 Abrams MBT. The match was the last tank standing format. Derek and Saber were commanding their own teams for the match with Saber commanding the M103 and Derek who was commanding the M26 Pershing.
Before the match started Derek radioed to Saber on a private channel saying "Oh yeah, I nearly forgot, Saber before you go home I need to talk to you in my office."
Saber sweatdropped and radioed back: "And you couldn't say that after the match because?"
"It's just in case I forgot…" said Derek in a rather sheepish tone. The crew of the M26 can hear Saber facepalming and couldn't blame him as Derek has a somewhat terrible short term memory.
Henry and Chelsea said "The match is about to begin all tanks please get ready and let's end the last match with a bang."
"The match begins in 3….2….1 GO!"
The engines of the tanks roared and all 25 tanks moved towards their assigned positions. The heavy tanks were in the front to act as a shield while the medium and light tanks acts as a rear guard with the tank destroyers in the middle.
Saber's voice came over the radio of the team he is in command of.
"Alright, you already know the plan: once we reach grid J2 split up into three groups and move to your positions. There will be two tank destroyers per group."
The team members gave an affirmative or "OK" back to Saber. When the team entered grid J2 Saber immediately shouted: "Split up into your assigned groups now!".
Saber said: "All teams check in."
The radio came back online as each team has reached their position.
"Ghost Troop in position. Rhino Troop ready."
Saber ordered "Alright each group send out a light tank to scout the other team and hopefully find out where the command tank is."
A few moments later the radio came online and there was the sound of cannon fire as one of the light tank crews said: "We located some of the other teams tanks. Bad news they spotted us and we're under heavy fire."
Ghost Troop said: "What's your position? We're sending in some tanks for fire support."
The light tank said: "We're in grid E6 and four Panthers are firing on our position." Ghost Troop quickly sent two M26 Pershing and M4 Sherman tanks to provide support to the two retreating light tanks."
The third light tank radioed back to the team: "This is Team Leopard, we found their main force and with the command tank on grid C9. They're moving forwards and haven't spotted us yet."
Saber quickly said: "Leopard keep track of them. Eagle Troop will be moving to grid F9 to intercept them."
While Saber's group (Eagle Troop) went to intercept the other team's main force, the 2 M26 and M4A3 tanks encountered the four Panther tanks when they entered grid G5. The two Pershings fired their 90mm main cannon at two of the Panthers and disabled them. The Shermans fired their main cannons at the tracks of the Panther tanks. One of the shells tracked the Panther's right track. The sudden lost of momentum to one of the tracks caused the Panther to suddenly swerve to the right which caused the other Panther to crash into it. The tracked Panther quickly recovered rotated their turret to aim at the M4A3 and opened fire on the Sherman which disabled it. The Pershings reloaded their cannons and fired on the remaining Panthers and disabled them.
Meanwhile Eagle Troop had arrived at grid F9 and Ian Redfield who was the M103's driver poked his head out of the driver's hatch and looked through the binocular's
"Huh… Hey Saber, is it just me or is their main force a bit smaller than normal for a 'main force'?" Ian asked.
Saber replied: "Yeah it does. Normally he would have a few heavy and medium tanks acting as a shield but this time only the front is protected by a few medium tanks."
The tank's radio came on: "This is Rhino Troop, our scout says that they saw two formations of four tanks each en-route to grid F9."
"Ghost Troop here, we spotted a formation of tanks heading towards our position. We may need some reinforcements."
Saber quickly said: "Saber here, Rhino Troop I want you half of your force to reinforce Ghost Troop. Eagle troop will try to take out the enemy heading towards our position and head to your position once we're done."
The two groups replied: "Roger."
Saber ordered "Eagle troop get into line formation."
Eagle troop quickly repositioned their tanks on either side of Saber's M103 and spread out.
Saber said: "Tank formation direct front, frontal, one round armor piercing at my command, ready report."
The command meant that everyone load a armor piercing round look at the tank formation in front, pick out your aim points on the enemy positions, and when they're ready Eagle troop will simultaneously fire their main gun rounds. Saber ordered Natalie Mochizuki to target the M26 Pershing that was in the middle of the tank formation that they were facing. Saber fired the first round which slammed into the Pershing's frontal armor and disabled it. The rest of Eagle troop said "ready", and Saber ordered "Fire!"
Eagle troop's main gun rounds went towards the enemy tank formation. Some of the shots hit the dirt ground, some of the rounds bounced off of the tanks' armor, and a small amount of tank rounds hit and disabled some of the tanks.
Eagle troop quickly reloaded the armor piercing rounds into the main cannon. They picked out their targets that were moving and radioed "Ready to fire!" The sounds of the simultaneous fire from the tanks' main cannons penetrated the silence of the forest and the tank rounds sped towards their target. After opening fire, Eagle troop's heavy tanks drove down the slope and brawled with the remaining tanks that weren't disabled and quickly disabled them before the opposition's reinforcements can arrive.
When the opposition saw the heavy tanks thundering down the slope the vice commander of the opposing team ordered half of the remaining tanks to open fire on the medium tanks on top of the hill in a hull down position. The remaining half were to aim at the tracks of the charging heavy tanks and hopefully track one of them.
They managed to take out three of Eagle troop's tanks. The tanks were 2 M4A6 Shermans, and the PzKpfw VI Ausf. E (Tiger I). The Tiger was knocked out by a 75mm shell to the side armor.
Saber radioed to the remaining tanks of Eagle troop: "Let's head back to Ghost and Rhino troops' position as fast as possible."
Rachel, who was a M26 Pershing radio operator on Eagle troop, radioed: "This is Eagle Troop; we took care of the enemy and knocked out the command tank, how are you guys doing?"
The radio came on and there were the sounds of the main cannon firing in the background.
"This is Rhino Troop we're under heavy fire from the enemy force. We lost three of our tanks, two of them were medium tanks and one tank destroyer."
"This is Ghost Troop we lost two heavy tanks and are currently falling back to grid J2 and regroup with Rhino Troop."
Saber reached grid J2 just in time to help Rhino and Ghost troop push the enemy back and disable some tanks, which helped level the playing field. With the commander and vice commander's tanks disabled the opposing team now had to rely on how they communicate and their teamwork to hopefully regain some momentum.
Leo Pierre, who was the M48A3 Patton's commander and commander of Rhino Troop, said in relief: "Saber you're just in time. We were getting pushed back. They have 2 T-10s, 1 T-54-55, and a Bat Chat 25T along with some Panzer IVs, Panthers, Shermans, Pershings, and some Churchill tanks."
Saber muttered: "Well at least our school doesn't have a Maus, otherwise that would've been one big pain in the ass."
The M103's crew who heard him couldn't help but sweatdrop and agree with their commander.
A few minutes later, Saber's group managed to defeat Derek's group in the practice match in a elimination format. While Derek's group had all their tanks disabled, Saber's group had about seven tanks remaining as most of his team were disabled by snipers since they became a bit too careless.
Once the tanks were parked at the garage, Saber walked to Derek's office.
Ian, who saw him walk towards the school, asked: "Huh? Saber you're not coming with us for lunch?"
Saber replied "You guys go first and save me a seat. Derek wanted to see me for something. He didn't say for what though."
Student Council President Office
The Student Council office was practically built similar to a office that one would find in big-name companies like Apple. But the Student Council President's office was literally similar to the oval office in the White House, except smaller and plainer.
When Saber entered Derek's Office, he saw Derek typing something on the computer while listening to Don Omar – Danza Kuduro.
Saber called Derek's name to get his attention as he is preoccupied doing some work on his computer. It's probably something important.
Derek looked up and said: "Oh. Saber when did you come in?"
Saber deadpanned: "I've been here for the past three minutes."
Derek said: "Oh…um…ok. Anyway you remember about the part when I told you about the transfer?"
"Yeah the part when it says something about three of our tankery teams being transferred to Ooarai right?" Saber asked curiously.
"Correct. Well I had a talk with the three teams that I chose and they agreed to go to Ooarai," Derek said.
"Who are the three teams?" asked Saber
Derek said: "I'll just give the name of the commander of said teams. Leo Pierre in his M48A3 Patton, than there's your team in your M103, and Isabelle Fontaine with the AMX-13."
Saber blinked and asked: "So…How are we going to get the tanks over to Ooarai?"
Derek said enthusiastically: "That's what I called you up here for. We're planning on flying two of our school's transport aircraft to Japan before flying them over Ooarai Girl High School Carrier and airdropping the tanks."
Saber sweatdropped and said "You still didn't say why you called me up to your office…"
Suddenly remembering why he had called Saber into his office his expression turned a bit more serious and said: "I want you to help fly one of our aircraft from here to Japan."
Saber asked "What jet do you want me to fly?"
Derek answered: "Well, the two aircraft that will be used is the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-5M Super Galaxy. You'll be flying the C-5M that will be carrying your M103 and the M48A3 Patton."
He continued: "The C-17 will be carrying the AMX-13 along with some of the tank parts for the three tanks that should last a while. I want you to fly the C-5M to Japan."
Saber said "Oh. Ok. Wait… WHAT!?"
Derek repeated in a nonchalant voice: "The C-17 will be carrying the AMX-13 along with some of the tank parts for the three tanks that should last a while. I want you to help fly the C-5M to Japan."
Saber, still in shock, could only ask: "Um… why me?"
Derek responded as if talking to a kid: "Because out of all our tankery team members you're one of the few members that can fly a C-5M."
Saber responded dumbfounded: "Is it okay if I give you my answer later today?"
Derek gave an affirmative and Saber exited the office before running to join his team for lunch at a nearby pizzeria. They ordered one large pizza and a medium sized pizza along with lasagna. He talked a bit about the situation that he was in and the part about flying the transport aircraft to Japan.
Ian who was chewing on a pizza slice suddenly asked: "So what did Derek call you up to his office for?"
This caught the attention of the rest of the crew of the M103 heavy tank. Seeing that there was no way out of this Saber explained about the conversation that he had with Derek. The only part that his team was surprised about was the fact that Saber could pilot aircraft.
Saber's house
When Saber arrived back at his house, it was already half past three in the afternoon. The school carrier was due to arrive at port around eight that night.
Saber said to himself: "Well… since I still have some time before the carrier docks, I might as well tell mum and dad about that decision. Hopefully they didn't buy my air ticket yet."
He quickly dialed the number for his family's house phone. After ringing for five times, someone answered the phone.
The voice of a girl who was around eleven years old said "Hello?"
Saber recognized this voice immediately and responded "Hey Katie-cat, is mom or dad home right now?"
Katie Aldrich or Katie-cat as Saber nicknamed her said "Onii-chan? Mom's in the kitchen right now. Want me to call her?"
"Yes please"
In a few seconds the voice Victoria Aldrich, who is the mother of Saber, Katie, and Alexis, could be heard and she asked in a worried voice: "Saber? Is everything alright? Are you okay?"
Saber reassured her: "Don't worry I'm fine. Um mom can I ask you something?"
Victoria answered: "Sure honey what is it?"
"Did you book a flight to Tokyo yet?" Saber asked.
Victoria answered, confused: "No. I'm planning on booking the flight once you come back. Why are you asking?"
Saber answered back in a somewhat relieved and sheepish voice "Well you know how our school will be working with a Japanese school called Ooarai Girls High School right?"
"Right."
Saber continued "Well, how do I say this… I'm going to be flying our school's C-5M Super Galaxy that will carry two of our three tanks along with the tanks crew members from West Coast Navy High to Japan.
Victoria responded: "So I don't need to book a flight for you, and are you still coming back to the house?"
Saber answered "No. I'm flying the C-5M so you won't need to book a flight for me, and yes, I will come back to the house probably tomorrow morning."
"One more thing." Victoria said "Do you want me to tell your dad or are you telling him yourself?"
Saber deadpanned: "I'll tell him once we get back. That is if Derek didn't notify him yet."
Later on that day, West Coast Navy High's tankery team held a party for the members that were either graduating, switching schools, or were in the transfer program. The tankery team always held these types of parties whenever a school year ends. Of course, there was also the part in which the tankery team commander gives a speech.
Derek Griffin stepped onto the podium during the middle of the party and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Is everyone having a great time?"
The tankery team shouted: "YES!"
Derek continued: "Well I know that you guys don't really like the speech part but I'm going to have to give one anyway."
The team let out a groan at the statement to which Derek ignored.
Derek began his speech "Another year's gone and we managed to win the tankery tournament again. Now the lot of you know about the transfer program correct? We will be saying goodbye to some of our team members as they will be transferring to Ooarai Girls High School along with their tanks."
"I will say the names of the tank commanders that will be transferred to Ooarai. The crew of the tanks of the tank commanders will also be transferred."
"The commander of the M48A3 Patton 'Pit Bull': Leo Pierre, The commander of the AMX-13: Isabelle Fontaine, and last but not least the commander of the M103 'Rebel' and the second in command of West Coast Navy High Tankery Team: Saber Aldrich."
"Those three teams will be transferring to Ooarai Girls High School and be a part of their Sensha-do team."
Derek's speech continued for a few more sentences before he finally said: "Well that's my speech for the end of the year. Everyone can continue what you were doing. Oh yeah, and before I forget, the members that are being transferred, please come back to the school's tankery garage before the end of July. We'll be flying the C-5M to Japan and the lot of you can hitch a ride. Saber will tell you what to do once you guys reach Japan."
West Coast Navy High's school carrier docking area
When the USS Nimitz School carrier docked at a area specifically made for school carriers in San Diego Bay Saber was packing the last of his items that was in his house. He had given the school's gate keys back to Derek as due to his position as the tankery team second in command, he has the key to West Coast Navy High's school gate.
A few days after school had been let out for the summer holidays to begin, his parents had been helping him move some items back to the family's house in Los Angeles. The only things left for him to move were the blankets, pillows, the WiFi system, Grim, a few clothing items, and his Laptop computer. His father, Joseph Aldrich, would arrive early the next morning driving a Dodge Caravan to help carry some things while Saber would follow behind with his Dodge Challenger Demon.
Around ten in the morning next day, a car's horn blared outside Saber's house. Saber who was getting ready for a two-hour drive just to arrive at Los Angeles looked outside the house window and saw the family's Dodge Caravan parking at the house's driveway. A 6' 2" (188cm) man stepped out of the minivan and walked towards the entrance. When Saber opened the door he said "Hey dad."
Joseph Aldrich responded: "Hey son, so do you need any help with moving some of the bigger items?"
Saber invited his dad into the house and asked for some help in a few things that probably wouldn't be able to fit in the Demon due to its size. When Saber was helping his dad lift something into the Caravan he couldn't help but notice that the middle passenger seats were missing and the rear seats were folded down.
After a good ten minutes of packing some of the remaining items, Joseph backed out into the driveway with Saber following close behind in his Demon. The drive back to the house in Los Angeles would take somewhere around two hours and twenty or thirty minutes, if you don't count the restroom breaks that is. The drive back to their house was relatively quiet and peaceful with the occasional need to park at a restaurant and get out to stretch a bit. Him and his dad made some small talk sometimes, such as Saber's school life.
At around half past twelve, the duo arrived at a modest two story house with a garage. It is a white colored house with a black tiled roof. The inside of the house has one master bedroom and three other bedrooms. One of the bedrooms belongs to Saber while the other two bedrooms were connected via a door between the two rooms. The master bedroom has a bathroom that is connected. The other bathroom is downstairs. They had a small pool in the backyard.
Joseph Aldrich walked to the house's front door and entered the house with Saber right behind him.
When Saber entered the house he said "Mom! We're home."
That's the end of Operation Co-ed Chapter 2. I apologize for the late update. As it says in the summary this fanfic will have slow updates. I can try to update this fanfic once a month if possible.
If you guys and girls have enjoyed this chapter please leave a review. If there were any mistakes that you noticed or if you guys think that something can be improved please tell me via PM.