A/N: A big thank you to SeekerMeeker for his help on this story.
Spoiler Alert to the readers who hasn't watched Girls und Panzer: Das Finale yet as there will be some elements from the movie.
Disclaimer: I do not own Girls und Panzer.
These are the team names for each of the tanks:
M103: Dragon Team
M48A3: Wolf Team
AMX-13: Fox Team
Girls und Panzer: Operation Co-ed
Chapter 7
Oarai School Carrier
Over the next two days leading up to the practice match with BC Freedom, Oarai's Sensha-do team were very busy. The automotive club along with the help from Leo, Saber, and Ian managed to get the M26 Pershing working again with the new engine, gun, and tracks. West Coast Navy High's C-5M Super Galaxy had dropped off some supplies for the M26 and had also dropped off a M88 Armored Recovery Vehicle which was put to good use by the automotive club that was repairing the M26 Pershing. Of course they also had the Mark V tank that is being crewed by Shark Team. After being asked by Miho to come up with names for the new team, the M103 Heavy Tank is now called Dragon Team, Leo Pierre's M48A3 Patton is now Wolf Team, and the crew of the AMX-13 named their tank Fox Team.
The M103 now has the Oarai Girls High School symbol on its frontal hull, and the side of the M103's turret now has a silver symbol of a dragon's head. (A/N: look at story image for reference.)
The M48A3 Patton also has the Oarai Girls High School symbol on the front of the hull and a painting of a wolf in a middle of a leaping attack on the turret sides.
The AMX-13 has the painting of a fox on the front of the hull and the Oarai Girls High School symbol on the turret cheeks.
In addition, Oarai's Sensha-do team began to practice more seriously. Radio operators practiced communicating better with each other. The loaders tried to reload faster and shave off a second of their reload time. The gunners worked on aiming at their targets and hitting them, they also tried to fire as accurately as possible, especially for the new Sensha-do members. The drivers worked on traversing through different terrain, as well as trying to stay in formation. The tank commanders, well… they try to direct their subordinates to do their task while trying to be aware of surrounding areas and getting to know the limitations of their tanks better as it will help them in the long run.
After a practice match, in a tank commander meeting, Saber commented: "This is only a suggestion but, maybe we can try to swap the positions of tank crew members so in case the gunner or driver gets knocked out, the radio operator or maybe even the tank commander can substitute for the position.
Miho looked thoughtful and remembered in the first practice match, Hana had been knocked unconscious when the StuG III fired at the Panzer IV and said: "That is a really good idea. How often should we swap the positions of the crew members?"
After thinking for a bit Saber said: "Well why not try it twice a week with each crew member swapping positions during practice. Then after the practice is over the crew member can give some hints to other crew who were in their respective position to help them become familiar to that position."
At the day of the match, Miho had called for a meeting two hours before the match begins.
Miho said: "Okay, the practice match that was scheduled between us and BC Freedom will begin in two hours. The school ship will pulling into port in an hour for the match."
Saber stepped forward and said: "As it is 10 A.M. right now, everyone has to meet up at the exit ramp of the ship by 11:30 A.M. and we'll lead you to the battlefield where the match will take place. Any questions?"
After a few seconds Miho dismissed the meeting and everyone went to do some last minute checking before they go do their own thing. At 11:30 A.M. everyone was at the exit ramp waiting for a certain team. When five more minutes had passed Miho sighed and said: "We can't wait for him any longer, let's head to the battlefield and hopefully we'll meet him there."
As Miho's Panzer IV drove to the battlefield, the rest of Oarai's Sensha-do team followed behind her at a reasonable pace. Back on the ship, the M103 had just rolled out of the school ship's garage and going as fast as it can to the battlefield... which isn't really fast as the top speed of the M103 is 37 km/h or 23 mph.
At the battlefield BC Freedom's Sensha-do team had just arrived with five ARL 44s, a FT-17 Renault, SOMUA S35s and two AMX-13s with Oarai's Sensha-do team arriving a two minutes later. Ten minutes before the practice match starts, Noriko Isobe who is the tank commander and loader of Duck team says: "Uh…commander! The M103 hasn't arrived yet."
As Miho was about to reply, Oarai's Sensha-do team radio came on as Saber said: "Sorry we're late, we're en-route to the battlefield, ETA five minutes." When five minutes passed, Miho was the first to hear the engine of the M103 and she announced: "Dragon team's here!"
As the M103 climbed over the ridge, it finally came to a halt right beside the Panzer IV. The commander and vice commanders of both Sensha-do teams stood on the opposite side of the other team. Captain Ami Chouno who is wearing her JGSDF dress uniform stepped forward and said: "Now, then. We will now begin the match between Oarai Girls and BC Freedom Academy. Bow!"
Both Sensha-do team commanders and vice commanders bowed as they said: "Let's have a good game!" After they finished bowing, the two vice-commanders of BC Freedom began arguing against each other.
As the battle began, Oarai's Sensha-do team traveled in a V formation with the M103 and M48A3 bringing up the rear. Miho began: "Our opponent BC Freedom has pretty good mobility. The match is a Flag Battle, so we'll keep our flag tank safe."
Saber said: "Don't play too defensively, and focus on the enemy flag tank."
Yukari commented: "According to my intel, it seems that the enemy is split apart and has poor coordination."
Momo Kawashima who heard Yukari's comment said: "Which means the flag tank won't have enough defenders. We should go attack them now."
Miho replied to Momo: "Um…I think we should scout properly first."
Saber commented: "I agree with Miho on that one. I'm sending out Fox and Wolf team to go scouting."
Leo and Isabelle who had heard Saber's comment replied: "Copy that."
Saber said to Fox and Wolf team: "Don't get caught stay at a distance and see if you can spot any enemy tanks. See if you can spot the enemy flag tank as well."
Leo replied: "Don't worry we won't get caught."
Fox team (AMX-13) stopped at a ridgeline near a dirt road and stopped due to seeing four SOMUA S35s pushing south at high speeds. Due to the AMX-13's low silhouette it wasn't spotted.
Wolf team (M48A3 Patton) idled their engine as they stopped at the edge of a forest that is located near a road and saw four ARL 44s pushing towards the south as well.
Isabelle Fontaine who is the commander of the AMX-13 pressed a button on the headset's mic and said: "Fox team here, we spotted four S35s pushing to the south at high speeds. No AMX-13 spotted."
Leo Pierre also reported: "This is Wolf team, four ARL 44s aggressively pushing South as well. We don't see any AMX-13s either."
Saber who was using an touchscreen strategic display, marked down the location of the ARL 44s, the S35s, and their own position. He radioed Miho and said: "Miho, the two AMX-13s are probably guarding the FT-17 flag tank along with a ARL 44, and the S35."
Ian spoke up: "Chances are that the flag tank's camping at the hill with the river behind it. BC brought 13 tanks with them and so far we only spotted eight of them. The remaining four tanks are possibly guarding the flag tank."
Momo said: "There's bridge to cross the river, we'll go though the shallows, sneak up on the enemy and attack from the bridge!"
Miho commented: "I think that's a great plan."
Saber had a feeling that something could go wrong and in opened a private channel to both Fox and Wolf team: "Fox and Wolf team, continue to shadow the ARLs and S35s, as soon as something changes alert us immediately."
Isabelle replied: "Understood, we'll hold our position."
Leo who knew Saber a bit longer then Isabelle said: "Copy that. Saber, you think something's wrong don't you."
This time Saber replied: "Yeah I do. They brought 13 tanks with them and right now we only saw eight of them. BC could've taken out some of our tanks already but they didn't."
Miho explained the plan: "The main force, will move in a column and go through the forest at ten 'o clock. Watch your surroundings. Panzer Vor!"
Oarai's main force drove in a column and went though the forest. The drive to the bridge was pretty quiet with the exception of the Mark V getting stuck, and Rabbit team's M3 Lee helping them.
On the hill where BC Freedom's flag tank and its escorts are located, Marie who is the commander of BC Freedom's Sensha-do team was sitting casually on the back of the FT-17. The ARL 44 that was one of the tanks guarding the FT-17 signaled to Marie. After the commander of that ARL 44 signaled to Marie, she used a fan to signal to her driver. A command was radioed to the BC Freedom Sensha-do team.
Fox team who was shadowing the S35s followed them into a town and stopped when one of the S35s' shells missed and hit the building instead. Fox team reversed back into the curve and took cover behind one of the buildings. Isabelle ordered: "Advance slowly." As the AMX-13 slowly crept out from the building so the AMX can open fire one of the S35s immediately shot at the AMX but all of the shots missed. The AMX-13 returned fire as Isabelle radioed back to the team: "This is Fox team! We got spotted, and are currently engaging an S35."
Wolf team came out of the forest and was immediately shot at by a ARL 44. The shot luckily hit the turret cheeks and bounced off. The M48A3 returned fire and only managed to hit the trees. Leo radioed back to the team: "Wolf team here, we got spotted. We'll buy you guys some time so they don't sneak up on the main force."
Three of the ARLs and S35s split off from their respective teams and drove off to where the bridge is to set up an ambush. Meanwhile the main force of Oarai's Sensha-do team stopped and decided to spy on BC Freedom's flag tank and its escorts to see what they're doing. Yukari who is using something to spy on BC Freedom commented: "They're playing pétanque and the flag tank's defense is also pretty lax."
Momo commented: "The enemy's pretty open.. we should go attack them."
Miho said in a somewhat confused voice: "Uh sure…."
As Oarai's main force reached the wooden bridge Miho checked her surroundings first and then ordered: "Advance slowly." The Panzer IV Ausf. H slowly crawled forward to cross the bridge with the rest of the tanks following behind and the M103 brining up the rear. Unbeknownst to them, some tanks of BC Freedom were already positioned in the forest and behind the river boulders, waiting to ambush them.
Miho commanded: "Keep the revs low so the enemy won't notice or hear us."
As the Char B1 bis crossed the bridge and was right behind the M3 Lee, Sodoko had a feeling that someone was watching them but ignored the feeling and continued to move forward. When the M103 was about to cross the bridge, they had a problem. The bridge is not able to support all those tanks at once mostly due to the weight of the M103 as the tank weighs around 65 short tons (or 58 long tons). The weight is only one of the problems, the other problem is that the Porsche Tiger is also crossing the bridge and it the bridge may not be able to handle all that weight at once.
Noticing the problem Saber said into his headset's mic: "Um Miho? The M103 won't be able to go onto the bridge. The tank's too heavy and I don't think it will be able to handle the combined weight of the Porsche Tiger and the M103 along with the rest of the tanks."
As the M103 began to back up Saber felt a chill go down his spine. He popped his head out of the turret and used a binocular to look around. Saber spotted light reflecting off of something and he quickly looked around his surrounding area before shouting into the radio: "Contacts at two thirty, and ten 'o clock!" Anglerfish team's Panzer IV stopped just in time as a volley of 47 mm shells hit the wood in front of the Panzer IV destroying a part of the bridge. The commander of BC Freedom's Sensha-do team: Marie signals the tanks that are guarding the flag tank and they opened fire at the bridge. The ARL 44s open fire at Mallard team but the 90 mm shells only damaged one of the bridge's support pillar.
Inside the M103, Saber cursed out loud before he commanded: "Natalie aim for the ARL 44s and open fire." The M103's turret rotated and the 120 mm cannon aimed at one of the ARLs and hits the tracks of the ARL. Saber radioes both Wolf and Fox team and said: "Wolf and Fox team! Disable the tanks you're fighting and move to point RK immediately, we're surrounded!"
Fox team's AMX-13 fired at the S35 disabling it and Isabelle said; "We just took out our S35, we're moving to point RK now, Fox team out."
Inside Wolf team's M48A3, Leo cursed and said: "This was a faint?! We're taking out the ARL now." The M48A3's 90 mm main gun fired a shell right into the ARL 44s frontal hull armor, disabling it and drove as fast as they could to point RK.
At the bridge where enemy tank shells were raining down on Oarai's main force as Oarai's Sensha-do team was panicking.
In the Panzer IV, Saori exclaimed in a frightened tone: "What's happening!? Isn't BC Freedom supposed to be on bad terms with each other!?"
Hana who was aiming at a tank said: "They were fighting in Yukari-san's recon video, weren't they?"
Mako who was busy angling the tank to hopefully bounce some shells said: "Maybe they knew we'd be doing recon in the first place!"
Yukari who was busy reloading the Panzer IV's gun said: "Then that means that their fighting was just an act to fool us!"
Miho said while thinking deeply: "That may be the case." Which caused Yukari to have a horrified and hysterical expression on her face.
While she was reloading the gun Yukari who had tears forming on the corner of her eyes said hysterically: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault! I was completely fooled!"
Miho had tried to calm down Yukari: "This isn't your fault at all, Yukari-san." but to no avail.
Mako commented: "But if this goes on, we'll lose the practice match!"
After a couple minues of non-stop fire coming from BC Freedom's tanks and the shells weakening the bridge's structure, Saber radioed the team and said: "Fox team ETA five minutes, Wolf team's ETA is seven minutes."
Miho said: "They won't be able to make it. Yukari-san how long is the Mark V again?"
Yukari who is in the middle of loading AP shell said: "8.04 meters! What about it?" After answering Miho, Yukari had a surprised look on her face as she guessed what Miho was planning to do.
The M103 who is also providing some covering fire had just shot at the mountain where the enemy flag tank is before Dragon team's gunner Natalie Mochizuki, noticed the Mark V becoming a makeshift bridge as the team began to escape. Saber ordered: "Ian get the tank over there now!" Dragon team's driver drove the M103 over to the Mark V just as the WW1 tank drove off. As the M103 drove across the bridge, the tank's weight caused the bridge to groan in protest. BC Freedom's Sensha-do team kept shooting at the support pillars for the bridge causing it to finally collapse and the M103 going down with the bridge. Before the bridge collapsed the M103 managed to disable the enemy AMX-13. As the dust settled from the bridge collapse, Oarai's Sensha-do team are relieved that the M103 fine and Saber radioing: "Dragon team here, we're okay. Just a couple of cuts and bruises."
One of BC Freedom's ARL 44s fired at the Char B1 Bis taking out Mallard team. Rabbit team's M3 Lee was also taken out by two of BC Freedom's SOMUA S35s. It wasn't until the arrival of Wolf team's M48A3 Patton and Fox team's AMX-13, that BC Freedom began to regroup somewhere else. As soon as BC Freedom's Sensha-do team was far enough, Saber ordered Fox team to shadow them and try to keep hidden. When BC Freedom stopped their tanks at a clearing in the forest located in grid H9.
After Isabelle reports BC Freedom's position to Saber, he restarts the M103's engine and radios to Miho to let her know that he was going to finish the match in a few minutes. Dragon team along with Wolf team traversed the terrain until they reached a cliff right behind BC Freedom's position. Saber ordered Ian to drive the tank to the edge of the cliff and position it so that the 120 mm cannon can aim down at the BC Freedom tanks. Wolf team followed suit and the M48A3 aimed at one of the AMX-13s while the M103 aimed at the ARL 44.
Saber ordered: "Natalie, use armor piercing and shoot at the ARL 44 closest to the FT-17. Fire!" As the M103 fires at the ARL 44, Wolf team opens fire at the AMX-13 a few seconds later. As the shells struck their tanks they were aiming at, and disabling them BC Freedom began to move in order to protect the flag tank and hopefully avoid the shells from Dragon and Wolf team. While the two tanks were reloading, BC Freedom's tanks aimed their cannons at them and opened fire while they were still moving. Tank shells from the BC Freedom tanks impacted the area near the M103 and M48A3 causing dirt and pebbles to fly into the air and land all over the two tanks.
Inside the M103, Saber ordered: "Natalie aim at the flag tank and wait until I say fire."
After Wolf team took out the remaining AMX-13, Saber orders: "FIRE!"
Natalie shouts out: "On the way!" and the M103's 120 mm main gun fires a 120 mm armor piercing shell at the same time when an ARL 44 fires a 90 mm shell. The two tank shells whistle past each other and both hit their targets with the M103 taking out BC Freedom's flag tank, and the ARL 44's shell bouncing off the turret of Dragon team. The only damage done to the M103 are some scratches in its paint from the shells that ricochet or bounced off the tank.
As the white flag on BC Freedom's FT-17 Renault pops up the judges announce; "BC Freedom's flag tank is immobilized! Therefore Oarai Girls' Academy Team wins!"
In the M103 Saber let out a relieved sigh and fell back into the commander's seat. A look of shock was on Saber's face as he said: "Huh…that actually worked."
Leo Pierre radioed and said to Saber in a worried voice: "Hey um…Saber?"
Saber replied back in a curious tone: "Yeah?"
Leo continued: "Um how are we going to get out of the ridge?"
Paling a bit Saber told Ian: "Ian back the tank up at full speed." As Ian put the M103 in reverse the heavy tank only managed to back up a few centimeters before Ian stopped. In a worried voice Saber told Ian: "Okay… this isn't good. Ian try to go forward this time." The M103 moved forward but once it reached the edge of the ridge the heavy tank rolled down the ridge and accidently knocked against the M48A3 and both tanks slid down the side of the hill, which caused both teams to yell in surprise as they slid down the hill. After recovering from the fall, both two teams drove back to where Anglerfish team is as the match has finished.
After practice match with BC Freedom
5:00 pm
After the practice match was over, both Oarai and BC Freedom's Sensha-do team went their separate ways to spend some time in port before they have to return to the school ship. One of the few places that Anglerfish, and Dragon team went to is the tank museum to see if they can get a new tank. Since Dragon team has never been to Oarai, they followed behind the Panzer IV.
Mako had parked the Panzer IV in the parking lot of the tank museum they were visiting. After parking the tanks in the parking lot with the M103 taking up two parking spaces, the two teams stepped out of their tanks and Ian Redfield who is the M103's driver asked: "So why are we here at the tank museum again?"
Saber deadpanned: "We're here to see if the museum can either loan us a tank or if they can give us a tank."
Apparently Yukari is one of the tank museum's most common visitors and has met the museum owner a few times when she visits. As they enter the tank museum, they notice that the museum's setup is quite similar to the Bovington Tank Museum. After entering the museum an tall man with graying hair spotted Yukari and greeted her kindly: "Yukari-san!"
Yukari walked in front of the group bowed respectfully and said: "It's good to see you again Mr. Crane." greeting the tall man.
Oliver Crane replied: "Likewise Yukari-san. So who are these friends of yours?"
Miho stepped forward and said: "I am Miho Nishizumi, the commander of Oarai's Sensha-do team, and these are my fellow crew members: Hana Isuzu, Saori Takebe, and Mako Reizei."
Saber then introduced himself and Ian: "I'm Oarai Girls Academy's new transfer student: Saber Aldrich, and these are my crew members for the M103: Ian Redfield, Natalie Mochizuki, Jason and Abigail Lynche We're interested in acquiring some tanks for this year's tournament. Anything from 1945 to 1959."
"You're more than welcome to look around the museum and ask about anything you like, although I'm sure Yukari can give you a guided tour. Yukari led the group into the museum's cold war tank display area. Or rather she would've led the group if she hadn't went into what Miho calls a 'panzer high' as she zipped through the museum into the area where the WW1 tanks are. The rest of the team split up into groups of two and looked through the museum to find suitable tanks for the Sensha-do team, leaving Miho to calm Yukari down. Eventually after Miho calmed Yukari down, Saber and Ian who were in the cold war tank display area found a suitable tank for the team: the T-54 medium tank. Jason and Abigail Lynche were both looking at light tanks that were developed in the cold war, and eventually came upon a Comet (A34) tank.
Saber told Miho: "Commander, I think we found a tank for the remaining team, and we also found another suitable tank to scout other tanks while in battle."
Yukari found Oliver and lead him back to where the tanks were. Miho stepped forward: "Mr. Crane, we would like the T-54 and Comet tank if you are okay with it."
Oliver gave them permission to add the tanks to their current arsenal and in exchange asked for a ride in the Porsche Tiger.
Miho asked Oliver: "How much do you want for the two tanks?"
Oliver thought for a bit and answered: "Yukari tells me you have a Porsche Tiger right?" Miho nodded and he continued: "Tell you what, you can have the two tanks if you let me ride a few laps on the Porsche Tiger."
Shocked, Miho nodded in agreement and Saber said: "Right, I'll go call Leopon team to get here then."
A couple minutes later
After letting Oliver ride around in the Porsche Tiger for a little while, the team drove the two tanks back to the school carrier. Ian had to drive the
T-54 so Saber had to drive the M103 and Mako who was accompanied by Saori drove the Comet back to the school carrier.
As they reached the Sensha-do sheds Hana commented: "Hopefully we get more volunteers after the first match."
Miho looked at Hana with a confused expression before Yukari said: "The draw for the first round is on Wednesday."
Saber said: "Oh yeah, I forgot about that." While Miho looked shocked and worried.
Sensha-do Nationals 1st Round Draw
The Nationals draw took place in the National Sensha-do hall assembly room as it always had for the past couple decades. At the moment the assembly room is packed with members of all Sensha-do nations. As Saber looked around the room he saw representatives from all the major Sensha-do powerhouses. Since Oarai is the reigning champion of the Sensha-do Tournament, they were the first to draw. Anzu went up on stage and reached into the box that contains the lots of each competing schools. As Anzu reached inside, the hall went silent. She grabbed a card and pulled it out, hoping for a easy opponent. Anzu had a confident look on her face when the number was called out over the PA system.
"Number 14!"
Anzu looked at the card to read the name of the school they were going to be facing and was filled with relief as the card read.
"Chi Ha Tan Academy!"