A loud crack split the quiet morning air, followed by a thunderous boom. Birds screeched as they took to the sky in an apparent panic. Maho smiled broadly as she saw the shell of a Tiger tear through the armor of a small tank, adorned in the markings of St Gloriana.
Several seconds later, it burst into flames as a small flag popped from its roof.
"Critical hit, they don't stand a chance do they?" a woman asked, Maho turned and saw the figure of her deputy, a relatively tall woman with grey hair, walking towards her.
"No plan ever survives contact with the enemy, Helmuth von Moltke the Elder" Maho replied, turning back to the burning tanks, people in uniform sprinting towards it with fire extinguishers.
"Quoting adages now? You're becoming like Darjeeling" Erika said, joining the commander.
"Have technical analyse the tank, in a real battle, we wont have that flag to tell us we've won" Maho said, putting down a small microphone. "it's best we know our enemy, if our plans fail, then we have to know we can fight", picking up a notepad, she eyed it carefully, then passed it to Erika.
The colour drained from Erika's face, as she read it to herself, "0540, 2nd Panzer Assault Division are to move and secure..." she dropped the notepad and looked at Maho. "But that's... Your... But..." she stammered trying to find the right words.
"I've never seen you so shocked Erika" Maho pressed "Do you dispute my orders?"
"No Ma'am, but aren't you concerned of injuries?" finally finding the words she was after.
"We've no choice" Maho sighed, taking back the notepad and handing it to one of the nearby officers, another lady with dark brown hair. "Koume, ensure this gets to the front"
"Yes Ma'am" she exclaimed, sliding it into a satchel and running to a small car. "Oh and Erika"...
"Yes?"
"If she refuses to capitulate, I'm authorising them to level the city"
"But what about your sister? what do we do with Miho?" A feeling of shock gripped Erika.
"You have your orders. Oarai is to fall under Kuromoromine control. under no circumstances fail me" she turned and walked away.
Erika nodded... "Yes Ma'am..." leaving the valley once again in an uncomfortable silence...