First things first, I would like to give a huge thank you to those who favorite, followed, and read this story. A big thank you to SeekerMeeker for his help in this story.
Saber and Anglerfish Team why don't you guys do the disclaimer.
Saber and Anglerfish Team: "commanderstarscream123 does not own Girls und Panzer or any other anime etc."
Girls und Panzer: Operation Co-ed
Chapter 5
Oarai School Carrier
September 1st, 20XX
Saber's house
It is five in the morning on Oarai's school carrier and it's still dark outside with the exception of a few flickering street lights. The ocean waves calmly hitting the side of the school carrier as it floats with the carrier's engines at slow throttle. Inside Saber's bedroom he is still sleeping soundly, or rather he was until his alarm clock rang. Saber groaned sleepily as he groped around the bedside table for the alarm clock. He accidentally knocked the alarm clock to the floor letting out a crash which startled him.
"Whoa!" He let out a shout of surprise as he fell headfirst onto the floor.
"Oh right…jogging time." Saber got off the floor and quickly made his bed before he went to brush his teeth.
For Saber jogging time usually meant two things: actual jogging, and playing two to three rounds in World of Tanks depending on how long the matches last. As Saber is still somewhat unfamiliar with the area, he jogged for twenty minutes before he logged onto his World of Tanks account on the NA server.
Two World of Tanks matches later:
"Yes!" Saber declared, as he logged out a few minutes later. "First two wins of the day! Received a Top Gun and Kolobanov's Medal as well! Now I'd better make breakfast."
He made his breakfast in a hurry which was bacon, scrambled eggs, and two slices of toast along with an apple. After eating his breakfast he then made some bacon and waffles for Grim.
"Here you go buddy." He said to his pet Grim as he came over.
Looking at the clock he noticed that there was not much time left to reach school. He quickly packed his bag with the books needed for school. Double checking everything was turned off, he petted Grim and said, "See ya, Grim!"
As he went to the road in front of his house, he checked if there were any cars coming before he took something from his pocket and threw it on the ground. As the object touched the ground it looked like a 3D holographic projection constructing itself into a black and blue 125cc motorcycle as it finished. He finished putting on his helmet which was black and had a sinister, face like logo with horns on its heads and its eyes set to portray anger and malice on both sides of the helmet and gloves.
Pressing the ignition switch on his motorcycle he got onto the motorcycle and increased the throttle and went as fast as legally allowed by the law.
Saber drove past a nearby traffic police officer who shouted: "Don't speed up!" Saber saluted in response, which the police officer reciprocated before zooming away.
After a few minutes he came to a stop in front of the school gates and got off the motorcycle. As he got off he pressed something on the motorcycle which caused the motorcycle to revert back into its small miniature form.
Saber walked into the school and began to search for the homeroom for the class he is in, Standard Education class 3-A. Homeroom is scheduled at 8:20 and from what Saber remembers is that Japanese are very strict in regards to punctuality.
"Good Morning Aldrich-san." Saber was greeted by woman that looked like she was in her early thirties. She was wearing a white button up shirt and black blazer, her hair black hair was tied into a looped ponytail. By her body posture, it was easy to see that she is a strict teacher that does not take any nonsense, but there was a spark of youth and humor in her eyes. Saber had already met this person who had greeted him. She is his homeroom teacher, Ayeka Yamada. Ayeka Yamada had been a great help yesterday, helping him find the Student Council room for the meeting.
"Good Morning Yamada Sensei" Saber replied and bowed a little with a crooked smile on his face. After meeting Saber she knew a small bit about his personality. He's smart, cunning, and he projects a palpable feeling of, 'don't mess with me or mine'. In addition he's also quite easy on the eyes. "Come on Aldrich-san" Yamada Sensei began, "Let's head to class now shall we. Wouldn't want to keep the students waiting now do we."
It is the first day of school and class 3-A is bustling with excitement. Miho's classmates were talking about how their final year in school would be while the presidents of the remaining clubs were sharing about how they would enhance or revolutionize their respective clubs. Miho was sitting in her desk while talking about some new tactics and training the new Sensha-do club members as well as training a new commander and getting a new vice-commander for the Sensha-do club with her classmates Saori Takebe, and Hana Isuzu.
The conversation all around the class came to and end as their homeroom teacher, Yamada-sensei entered the class. "Good morning everyone. Now before we begin with homeroom, I have an announcement to make." A few students sitting at the back of the class began whispering at what the announcement may be. Miho, Hana, and Saori can overhear them speculating whether it is going to be about a new student. "From today onwards we will be having a new student that will be joining us." Yamada-sensei continued. "He is from the United States of America and this is the first time he will be studying in a Japanese school. I hope that you would take care of him and help him settle as smoothly as possible to the new environment." Then she walked over to the door to let the new student in.
The announcement took most of the class by surprise, as from all the speculation that they had come across, they did not expect a foreigner to join their class.
The student in question walked in confidently in front of the class with a smile on his face. The new student is well built, not like the ones that goes to the gym regularly but an athletic build. His height is somewhere around 5 feet 7 inches. His hair is silver with a streak of red on the front and his eyes are a sky blue color, with a scar running down his right eye. Saber is wearing the Oarai Girls High School boys uniform which fit his body, however it did hide how his body looked except for his shoulders.
Saber said in Japanese with a slight American accent: "Good morning everyone, my name is Saber Aldrich and I just transferred here from the United States of America. Please take care of me."
Oarai Girls High School
Lunch Time
Saber face planted onto the desk in the homeroom. The class before lunch was just finished and it was now lunch time. He stretched a bit from sitting and looked around the classroom. The only person in the classroom at the moment except for him is Leo who is in the same class as he is except that he came in a bit later.
"Hey Leo, want to come to the cafeteria with me to get some lunch?" Leo thought for a moment and answered "Eh sure why not." The two of them picked up their bags and placed it in their lockers before heading to the school cafeteria. While Leo went to join the queue to get his food, Saber went to an empty table in the corner and sat down while waiting for Leo. When Leo arrived and sat down they began to eat.
As Leo swallowed his first bite he asked: "Hey Saber, what did you make for your lunch?"
Saber who had just swallowed a chunk of his burger said: "Burger and fries along with a slice of apple pie. What about you?"
Leo answered "Shepherd's pie with a mash potato topping. It's not bad."
The both of them were talking about playing War Thunder later tonight and Saber giving a one reason to Leo as to why he shouldn't go to the Dead Zone in Subnautica.
Saber looked at Leo: "Leo I know the name sounds awesome but the Dead Zone is basically everything other then the volcanic crater in which the game takes place. The reason its called the Dead Zone is because well because nothing lives out there. Nothing except for two Ghost Leviathans."
During the conversation Saber had finished eating his burger with fries and now he's starting to bite on the slice of apple pie. As Saber was about to take another bite out of his apple pie when someone called: "Saber-kun!" Both Saber and Leo looked up and turned towards the source of the voice. When they looked u they saw the 5 girls of Anglerfish team walking to them. As the girls arrived at their table, Saori in her usual happy voice asked: "Do you mind if we sit with you two?"
Saber replied: "Not at all, by all means join us." The girls all sat down and began to talk while eating.
"So," Saori began: "What were you two talking about?"
Leo answered: "We were discussing some video games and our plan for tonight when we're playing War Thunder in a squad."
The class after lunch will be English and then it would be homeroom. English class is quite easy for Saber and Leo as both are from the US, as a result they breezed through the lesson. The final subject will be homeroom. As the bell rang for the final subject the school's public announcement system sounded: Attention all students! Assemble at the gym! Attention all students, assemble at the gym!
The gym is filled with all students in the school with their attention directed to the student council members. The students who were whispering came to a stop as Momo said: "Quiet, please. We'll now begin the orientation for one of our elective programs."
As the student council members walk off the stage the gym's lights began to dim, some students began to whisper to each other again.
The video begins showing the title of the video which is "Sensha-do"
It shows the images of a Mark V WW1 Tank in good condition with the female narrator saying "Sensha-do…" an image of a WW1 German A7V Sturmpanzerwagen tank followed by a British Whippet tank. The narrator continued: "Throughout its long history it has been used all over the world as a way to train girls. It's a martial art that strives to nurture polite, graceful, humble, and brave women."
The video shows a group of women bowing to the Panzer III and then climbing onto it to get to their positions and the tank commander giving a command and the Panzer III stopping to aim and fire its main cannon. The narrator of the video said: "Learning Sensha-do will give an edge to your feminity. You'll become as hot and tough as steel, as robust and lovely as caterpillar tracks, and as passionate and accurate as a cannon." "If you learn Sensha-do, you will without a doubt become a great wife, a great mother, and a great career woman." The video shows three rows of Panzer IIIs driving through a town with the townspeople waving at the tank and the tank crew waving back.
The video then changes to show a Sensha-do desert themed battleground with a Centurion Mk 3, Conqueror, Crusader, and Churchill tank traveling through the desert. The scene changes to show a Distinctly familiar M103, M48A3, T26E4, and a Sherman advancing through a town. The narrator starts saying: "Recently however, the European countries, the United States of America, Canada, and Russia have decided that Sensha-do should no longer be exclusive for females. Some schools in America have begun to form Sensha-do groups, activities and tournaments that both male and female crew can compete equally…" The video then shows the M103 and M48A3 driving out of a lake at night and began to open fire on two German tanks that have decided to climb over the ridge.
"While it's a revolutionary step for this graceful art, it's still being slowly accepted in Japan which is why the United Nations have agreed to fund an experimental exchange program. Each country participating in the program will send their selected tank crew with both male and female members from a school of their choosing to another school from another country."
The gym's lights come back on as the video ends. Momo stands up and said: "As the video mentioned, this year our school has been chosen as part of the exchange program and our exchange partner will be: West Coast Navy High from the United States!"
Anzu continued from where Momo left off: "West Coast Navy High has already sent the tank crew and tank over and they have already arrived at the school as some of you may have seen some new students walking around the school or in your class. Anyhow, if anyone still wishes to sign up for this year's Sensha-do team please approach any student council member, Oarai's public morals committee or any member of the Sensha-do team."
As soon as the orientation finished Saber went to get Leo Pierre and Isabelle Fontaine who are commanders of the M48A3 and the AMX-13 respectively. While Saber went to get the other two tank commanders, Miho immediately walked to the Student Council room for the Sensha-do team tank commander meeting.
Student Council Office
Miho is currently sitting in one of the comfortable chairs in the Student Council office. Also sitting in the Student Council office are the commanders of Hippo, Duck, Mallard, Anteater, Leopon, Rabbit team, and the student council members. They are waiting for Saber, along with Leo and Isabelle to arrive for the tank commander meeting. However only the student council and Miho knew who they are currently waiting for.
Riko Matsumoto or Erwin who is the commander of Hippo team asked: "Who are we waiting around for? We should start the meeting."
Anzu who is currently eating some sweet dried potatoes answered: "We're still waiting for three more members. But I think we can start. Commander."
Miho said: "Hai. Firstly is their interest, have any of you had people approaching any of you asking about Sensha-do?" All the commanders nodded, "Do you think we'll have enough to create a new tank team?"
Sodoko stood up and said: "Easily, we at the public morals committee received a lot of questions about Sensha-do and how to join."
Satoko Nakajima added: "Also the crews who are from separate clubs and the crews that are under-manned may be able to fill their crews with new members from their respective clubs.
As Yuzu is about to speak she was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Enter!" called Anzu. Everyone looked up to see who was at the door and were somewhat surprised to see Saber, Leo, and Isabelle enter the office.
Saber said sheepishly: "Sorry we're late, I was looking for these two before I remembered that the three of us were carrying smartphones and I called them to meet me at the cafeteria and came here." Noticing the looks that he was receiving he asked: "What?"
Miho answered Saber: "They don't know the new rules yet." All the tank commanders turned their heads to Miho as she explained: 'The new rules of Sensha-do states that tanks up to August 15, 1959 can be allowed, however there will be a limit for the amount of tanks made after 1945 allowed."
Some of the girls remembering the orientation video replaced their confused looks with a look of sudden understanding as to why they had a practice match on the day when the transfer students arrived. Sodoko however, looked quite upset.
Sodoko voiced her opinion in a disapproving tone: "I thought Sensha-do was a girls only sport."
Before anyone else could say anything Saber interrupted: "Not anymore. Unless you weren't paying attention to the orientation video, the European countries along with the U.S., Russia, and Canada decided that Tankery should no longer be exclusive to females only, and if you still think that males shouldn't be allowed to participate in Sensha-do go to Google and search up any ace tankers or tank commanders such as Michael Wittmann, Erwin Rommel, Bernard Montgomery or George S. Patton".
Yuzu then said: "Well from the list that the morals committee gave us we have the potential to form at least 3 new tank crews, but we don't have any spare tanks."
Anzu laid back on her office chair and said while munching on her sweet dried potatoes: "So we'll have to search for the tanks…"
Azusa Sawa who is the commander of Rabbit Team spoke up: "But we searched nearly the entire ship."
Saber then said: "This school carrier is nearly 9km long and around half a km in height and about 2km wide! There is no way you've searched the entire ship!"
"He's right on that one." Said Momo, "We searched all the nearby areas, but we haven't checked the areas that are further out or the areas that are below the decks that much. Rabbit team and Saori managed to find the Porsche Tiger below decks, so chances are there may be some tanks down there."
Miho said: "We can organize a search party tomorrow after we see how many newcomers we will have."
Anzu said: "Is there anything else we need to discuss?" When nobody spoke up with anything Anzu continued: "Then I call this meeting adjourned, see you tomorrow." As everyone left the office, Saber and Miho remained and Saber said: "Oh yeah, Miho you wanted the specs on the three tanks that we brought with us right?"
Miho answered: "Yes, do you have them?"
Saber nodded and handed over the documents and said: "I wrote down the basic specifications like the armor, firepower, engine, and the traverse speed."
Miho took the documents smiled at Saber and said: "Thank you, Saber."
Saber returned the smile and said: "No problem." The two smiled at each other for a few seconds before Anzu broke the silence by clearing her throat. Snapping out of their trance Miho blushed in embarrassment, while Saber had an embarrassed look on his face.
Oarai Sensha-do garage
3:30 PM
Miho looked at the crowd that had gathered outside the Sensha-do garage. The crowd included the crews from the previous year and there are also some new faces that would be the new member of a tank crew. The transfer students from West Coast Navy High are already in their tanks and waiting for Miho to do the introduction speech. Anzu walked towards Miho and said: "Miho, it's time to give the introduction and welcome back speech."
Miho nodded and walked towards her team who are sitting and playing cards on top of the tank's turret. Yukari noticing Miho who is climbing the tank asked: "Is it time already?"
Miho nodded and said: "Yeah its time." All Anglerfish team members opened the hatches to their respective positions and climbed in the tank with Miho standing in the commander's cupola. Miho said through her headset's mic : "Mako-san start the engine." The Panzer IV's engine gave a whine which soon became louder as the tank roared to life. Miho glanced at Saber who nodded his head and radioed Leo Pierre who then ordered Lance Winston who is the M48A3's driver to start the engine. Ian Redfield started the engine on the M103 after hearing the M48A3's engine start up. The Panzer IV crawled toward the doors of the tank shed. As the Panzer IV approached the doors, rabbit team opened the shed doors. As the Panzer IV came to a halt, it was surrounded by the old Sensha-do club members along with new club members who are from other clubs. The new club members stared in awe at the sight of the Panzer IV.
Miho stood on top of the Panzer IV, cleared her throat and began: "To the new club members welcome to the team and to all returning club members and returning champions welcome back. My name is Miho Nishizumi, overall commander of Oarai's Sensha-do team. Due to several rule changes that the Sensha-do Federation has implemented there will be some males in the new tank crews."
As Miho finished her speech the new club members heard two other tank engines getting louder. The M48A3 drove out of the tank shed and came to an abrupt stop on the left of the Panzer IV. The M103 crawled out of the tank shed after the M48A3 and came to a halt to the Panzer IV's right. Both tanks had their main cannons raised to their maximum angle of elevation. As both Saber and Leo stood up in the tank, Miho said: "As you may already know from the orientation video boys are now allowed to participate in Sensha-do, and there will be a limited number of tanks before August 15, 1959 allowed."
Miho continued: "Now then as you may have already noticed we already have eight tanks for the eight teams that we had last year, and currently we don't have enough funds to buy a new tank so we will have to look for them. We'll split into four groups. Saber if you'll announce the teams."
After getting over the shock Saber said: "Right, Hippo and Turtle team your group will take the members from the chess club. Rabbit and Leopon Team your group will take the ones from the archer and kendo clubs. Leo you'll be teamed up with Mallard team and your group will be taking the rest of the girls. Sodoko you will be in a group with my tank crew and Anglerfish team. We'll begin the search tomorrow as it's getting late."
As Miho dismissed the team, Saber walked to the parking lot and tossed the miniature black colored 125cc motorcycle on the ground. As soon as the motorcycle finished reconstructing itself, he got on the motorcycle and drove back home. Unknown to Saber however, Anglerfish team were walking past the parking lot and saw the motorcycle scene.
Oarai School Carrier
Saber's house, 4:00 PM
When Saber went into his house he quickly went to do his homework which was quite easy. After finishing up his homework he immediately went to his laptop to search the rules for the Sensha-do tournament and see if there any loopholes in the rules that he can use to give Oarai an advantage. Once he was done with looking at the rules, Saber quickly went to his bedroom and put on the AmuSphere to play a VR first person shooter game. After two hours of playing the game, Saber immediately went to his laptop and went to look at what tanks Oarai Girls High School used to field before its Sensha-do program got shut down. The tanks that Oarai Girls High School used to field were not too impressive but not too useless either. Sadly the school never said where the tanks are now, so the chances are that the tanks are hidden really well or some were sold off. Although there is something interesting, a former Oarai Girls High School student who goes by the name of Hiroko Renta was expelled within two months of attending the school.
Mentally filing the information for later, Saber made a list of the tanks that may be found in the school carrier. After a few minutes Grim nudged Saber's palm to get his owner's attention. Saber looked at the german shepherd puppy and said: "What's up buddy? You hungry?"
Saber continued: "Alright I'll go make us some dinner." He walked down the stairs to the kitchen and began to look for some meat and decided to make some chicken for Grim, and a Fettuccine Alfredo for himself that has chicken, shrimp, and parsley. As Saber was about to go take a bath, he noticed that Derek Griffin had messaged him. After looking at the message Saber yelled out: "AW COME ON, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" The reason as to why Saber had yelled is because Derek had asked Saber to help him finish up half of the paperwork that Derek had accumulated...again.
That's the end of chapter 5. I hope that you like the chapter. If you did love the chapter please tell me your thoughts on what you people would like to see in later chapters via PM or leaving it as a review.
A/N: I don't own Girls und Panzer, Sword Art Online, or anything related to a specific anime that I put in the story.