Zuikaku
It was a bit tough at first, getting adjusted to life aboard the new carrier. Ooarai's ship was about half the size of the Gerald R. Ford, but that wasn't the issue most of the boys were facing. It was the fact that the boys were still getting accustomed to the new Japanese style city. On the first day of their classes, half of the boys were late because they couldn't find their way to the school building. Eventually they did show up that day, to the much-annoyed faces of their classmates. They did, however, have very little trouble finding the tank depot.
It was here the boys and girls mingled the most, due to their upcoming battle against Pravda and Anzio. It was only deemed fair that the two schools go up against Ooarai, thanks to the supplement in firepower from JayPac. That day the crews of the JayPac tanks, at Javier's insistence, had the girls ride around in their tanks, just to give them an idea of what they were working with. Javier was sitting atop his Hellcat, watching the tanks go round.
"You know, Miho, I never thought I would be doing this." Miho was sitting on the back end of the loaders hatch, also observing the group.
"Doing what, exactly?" She asked. "Being here?" Javier nodded his head. "I can't say I didn't see this coming, but honestly I'm just glad you all can put up a good fight."
"We try not to disappoint." A shot rang out in the distance, causing the two to jump a little. The looked to see the smoking barrels of the IS-3 and the T34 on the shooting range. Right behind the two tanks was the smaller A13 cruiser. Patrice was sitting up top, calling for coordinated fire. Riding on the back were few of the girls from the student body and the Volleyball team. "Seems like my sub over yonder is showcasing our biggest assets." He grabbed the radio, deciding to eavesdrop on some of the communications between the three tanks.
"I want three shells from the both of you downrange. Shield 5, pull up to spot number three and fire. You may fire when ready." The Super Pershing rolled in behind the three tanks, and opened up as soon as he came to a stop. The noise was immense as the three tanks fired off round after round.
"This is amazing! How'd you guys lose to us when you had these in your back pocket?" Yuzu asked, once the next volley of shells were fired off.
"One mustn't show their strongest cards to their enemy." Javier replied. "Besides, it would've been much worse had we brought these tanks to fight."
"Considering our firepower, you could've easily overpowered us." Anzu said, munching on her snacks.
"What you fail to understand is that is exactly what I meant. Sure, our amour and firepower could greatly overmatch your team, but it wouldn't have been as effective. These tanks are huge and would've been priority number one to take out." The last volley of shells went downrange. "That is what I mean, miss Kadotani." The commanders hatches on the T34 and IS-3 opened, and their crews enjoyed the fresh air now that firing drills were over. Both commanders looked down at the A13 behind them, to which Patrice gave a thumbs up and motioned for them to move on out so the next group could get some shooting practice in.
"You seem to know what you're doing; I'll admit that." Anzu stated.
"Every other school was watching. So, they didn't want to show all their cards to them either." Miho stated. "Right?"
"Right on the money." Javier said. "Y'all are going to have one hell of a time with us on your team." A couple of Chaffee's blew past the hellcat, and down a small dirt path. It was a makeshift track to keep up the drivers' skills. Right behind them was the Porsche Tiger. Ito both the commander's delight and relief, it seemed as if both teams were integrating well with the other and as the days went by, the more intense each practice got. At the end of the practice, Jay ordered his team to take the next day to rest.
The following day, Javier had called together his two section commanders together to go over the battlefield, seeing as they had just received word where it was going to be. The two commanders arrived at Javier's room, which was rearranged so that the map could fit onto a folding table he had recently acquired.
"Gentlemen, welcome. Unfortunately, we don't have the ready room available. So, we'll have to make do." Javier said, gesturing for the two to come in.
"Plus, I don't think Miho has anywhere for us to do this anyways." Patrice stated, taking his seat on the right side of the table. "Anyways. I did a little digging, and we could potentially figure out what their lineup is going to be." Hanz took the spot on the left and began marking up the map with their starting positions.
"Oh, and I invited someone else here as well."
"I'm assuming you're talking about Miho, right?"
"She's gotta be a part of this. It's only logical." Javier stated. "But until then, we can begin. Starting off with the numbers, it's gonna be twenty-four versus twenty-three. Unfortunately, we're in the latter half." Hanz completed marking the positions, and right on time as a knocking on the door startled the group out of their train of thought.
"It's open, come in!" Javier shouted. The door soon opened, and in walked what felt like half the team. The three boys all gave each other a glance before one of them spoke up.
"I believe we said that Miho and Anzu could come, right?" Hanz asked. "But, I'm not against it."
"It'll be tight, but we can manage." Patrice stated. The parties that walked in were that of the Panzer IV and the Hetzer. Javier noted that they seemed to always stick together, which wasn't necessarily and bad thing. Back when Patrice and he started the sport, they spent an abundant amount of time together.
Hanz kicked off the meeting. "Well, if I shall start. I think it's great we get this opportunity to discuss and compare tactics. Especially seeing as you have experience with both of these teams." He said. Miho looked down at the map, studying it carefully. At least that's what it looked like to the boys.
"The best way to utilize our skills would be to divide our forces up. Since we have the greater number of tanks, I think that groups of four would be beneficial." Javier said. "But in order to work that out, we need to know what tanks we could be facing."
"Well, seeing at you all have the greater firepower. Especially among your heavy tank force, I would focus on getting those big guns into a sniping position." Miho stated. The arena they would be in was a wide-open field, with small villages and tree lines lining some portions of the map. Perfect if it was snowing, but not in this case. "If we're talking tanks, Pravda is the main problem here. They could bring any variety of tanks."
"Like what?" Patrice asked
"T-34's, KV-1s and 2s, JS-2's. Even a few self propelled guns if they wanted." Yukari said. "The list goes on!"
"What about Anzio?" Javier asked.
"The P40 will make an appearance, but aside from that they'll field a few CV-33's and some Sevomentes." Miho explained. The boys all sort of winced when they heard that and felt kind of bad knowing all of their heavy tanks were pretty much impervious to Anzio's firepower.
"Anzu, Miho, I've taken it you've met their commanders before. What can we expect when facing them?" Patrice asked.
"Pravda's commander is a piece of work. Always overconfident. But she, can put you in your place if you're not careful." Anzu said. "She did manage to corner us during the tournament."
"As for Anzio, they're brave. A little too excited though. But they follow their commander to the end." Yukari said. "They have great food too!"
"So, in the end, one team is over loyal and the other one is Soviet." Hanz said. "Dually noted." Javier was looking over the positions, hoping that they could grab one more tank to fill in that last spot. Sometimes having that one extra can make the difference, after all.
"The best way to divide our forces would be to split into groups of six. And I have an idea. Miho, Anzu, if you all remember our first battle, I was used to guide in my teammates to your positions." Patrice started.
"Until you got blasted by Miho." Anzu said.
"Irrelevant. But I would like to do something similar here." He pointed to a spot on a map. According to the map, there was adequate cover, and positions that every tank in his group could comfortably hold and cover. "Except I want to borrow this table. And I'll acquire a map before the match to use."
"I don't see how that would work. Especially since we'd essentially lose five tanks that could be fighting." Hana stated.
"How do you plane on using this?" Miho asked. Patrice grabbed one of the markers and began marking out the positions he's want his group to be in.
"Firstly, I'd like to take at least one heavy unit with me, at best one of the Shield units. Or the Char you have there. Then maybe a Chaffee and an M10." Patrice explained.
"That's only three units."
"Three is all I need." Patrice said, looking over at Miho. "You all give me update to your positions and I can coordinate you with the information I have. If we get discovered, or need to hop into the fight, we can quickly pack away our equipment and dive in." The girls looked to one another and silently seemed to come to an agreement.
"I think that can work. But we won't send Mallard team with you." Miho said. She seemed to be glaring at Patrice, who in turn glared back.
"Fair enough. Javier?"
"Yeah, I hoped we could keep all of Shield team in the fight, but we can survive without one." He sighed a little, thinking of which one to send with Patrice. Shield 2 and 3 needed to be in the fight, as well as Shield 5. "Leon's gonna hate me for this, but I'll assign him to your group, along with Scout 4 and Sniper 4."
"I'll take the remainder of scout team with me on the flank. We'll provide Patrice with that information. If its ok, Anzu, I'd like you all to be with my group." Javier said, looking at the group of three.
"Count me in, I'd like to see what trouble you boys get yourselves into."
"We can also send the Type 89 with you as well. They are the fastest tanks we have." Miho said, looking at the map. "I can also flank along the town and make sure we can cut off any escape route."
"Then, Hanz, you take the middle. I want you and the heaviest to wreak havoc."
"Jawol, I'll make sure of it." Hanz said. "Miho, I hope you're ready to see what we can do at full strength."
"Anyone have any questions?" Javier asked. The room was silent. Everyone knew what the score was. "Good." The girls hung around for a bit longer, eating up Javier's snacks, along with the boys. Just before the girls left, Javier was pulled aside by one of Anzu's friends. That girl was Momo.
"I'm gonna be perfectly honest with you. I don't trust your plan." she said, bluntly. "I didn't want to say anything in front of the commander, but I thought you should know." Javier chuckled a little.
"Yeah, I figured at least a few of you wouldn't trust it. And I can't even imagine what the team is gonna think." he said, smiling. "But whatever happens tomorrow, we just have a good time and enjoy it."