Girls Und Panzer
The movie novel
by Dan Rush
Chapter 2
Oarai Girl's Acadamy
Tank training grounds
The tanks tore across the wide expanse of the stub grass and dirt plain in an often confusing and body bumping jumble as they each tried to comply with Momo's commands from the Student Counsel's gold colored 38-T….
"Form up in a lead tank to rear covering tank left echelon!" Momo said through her throat mike.
"What's an echelon?" Came a question from Karina driving in the pink M3 Lee.
"Sounds like a French pastry." Answered Takeo in the Type 89.
Momo "ugh'd"…..."Didn't anyone read the assignment?! An "echelon" in tank platoon operations is a 45 degree angle created by all tanks from the Command tank in the front to the last one in the back! Come on girls! Get with the program! I swear if this takes the entire day and night, we're going to get this right!"
It didn't take a lot of time at all….three hours later, The team was practicing rolling stagger retreats and complex zig zagging assaults and retreats over the hilly portion of the practice field! "THERE YOU GO!" Momo yelled from atop the 38-T as the other tanks passed around it going backwards! "NOW REFORM! TWO TANKS PER HILL! MOVE! MOVE!"
Momo watched each tank take up it's place and quickly ran up to and atop the "Pink Lee" to rest a hand on Azusa Sawa's shoulder….
"You're way to exposed here. Even though the engine compartment of your tank is covered by this crest? You're sitting way to far up. An enemy can nail you with a high velocity round from distance! If you have to move to protect yourself Azusa? Speak out."
Miho came climbing up from her Panzer IV and signaled to the Assault 3 to come over to the "Pink Lee"..."This is where you can pull a faint. You guys fire a few rounds from your secondary light gun and goad the enemy to advance on you. Hang on to the top hatch Momo? Azusa? Back the Lee up slowly."
The "Pink Lee" backed off the hill as Miho directed the Assault 3 into a position in front of the "Pink Lee" and a few feet back from the crest. "Now….the M-3 throws a few rounds from the main and secondary guns over the crest of the hill to draw the enemy to chase it and mount the crest to engage it. Azusa? You always retreat with your strongest face to the enemy, never turn and expose your rear. When they're forced to dip down the hill's slope facing you? The Assault 3 can nail them on the top of the tank body, the most vulnerable part of any tank." Miho explained.
Momo gave Miho a serious look. "I'm trying to teach them to avoid doing the most common mistakes, Nishizumi."
"I'm not attacking your teaching Miss Kawashima. I'm just suggesting there's ways to capitalize on mistakes when there's a chance for gain. We should avoid wasting time trying to find perfect places that suit each tank. Let's train our tank leaders to develop quick decision making skills, to see more than one way to approach and deal with a situation." Miho explained.
Momo nodded with a huff..."You've just promoted yourself to Vice Commander. At least you pay attention to details." Momo squeezed her throat mike. "Maddam President? You're fired from Vice Commander! Nishizumi is now my Second in Command."
"That's nice. Well done Miho." Anzu replied calmly.
"Wanna bet she has a bag of sweet potato chips in her hands?" Miho said giggling.
"It's the only thing that she'll ever marry. I'd hate to see the children." Momo replied with a smile.
Bounding practice came next...the task of getting tanks over the crests of slopes and rises while limiting their exposure to opposing forces...Momo stood slapping the side of the Assault 3 as it almost sat onto its' rear end trying to top a steep hill…
"Caesar? What are you doing? You can't top this hill "blind". Some one has to get out, scope out the land beyond the crest for potential enemies and then calculate how your tank will react to the land around it! The front of your belly is exposed like a big fat "Come and get me" here!"
"Well you don't have an ass, so what's your excuse?" Caesar snorted back. She turned to her fellows..."Well History team? Does our Commander have an ass? Opinions?"
Erwin said with a smirk. "A butt as skinny as the River Dniester."
Saemonza huffed. "As non-existant as the troops of Kagoshimoka."
Oryou blurted. "Even Medusa would be blinded by its' lack of radiance."
"GET BACK INTO THE ASSAULT 3 AND TRY AGAIN YOU MISFITS!" Momo yelled as she pointed!
Erwin smirked evilly…."You should control your temper Commander. It makes your lack of a butt stand out even worse."
Momo frowned angrily as Anzu walked up eating her sweet potatoes. "They're kinda right Momo."
Momo grabbed Anzu's bag of slices and angrily threw them away! To no avail as Anzu simply pulled another one from behind her back.
"Smart ass." Momo said angrily.
Gunnery Practice
"BOOM!"…..The 38-T barked but the round went wide and to the right of the plywood target standing down range…
"That's….number?" Anzu said calmly from her seat.
"All right! Stop reminding me!" Momo said angrily. "Grrrr….I'm aiming right at it! I've accounted for the drift, the distance, the wind...damn it!"
Just to the left of Momo's target...the one for the Panzer IV shattered into splinters!
"Grrrrr!" Momo left her seat, poked herself out of the Commander's hatch and screamed at the Panzer IV….."YOU GUYS?! STOP SHOWING OFF!"
Miho climbed from her tank and key'd her throat mike..."All gunners come to me please?"
In a few moments, all the gunners from every tank met Miho in front of the Panzer IV as she wrote in the dirt..."Ok...once again let's review basic gunnery. It's very important that you all have a good idea of your opponent's tank profile size be it facing front, to the side or to the quarter side. If you don't have that body measurement pre-registered in your mind, you'll never stand a good chance of hitting it. All our tanks have the same site glass, the Germanic "Stritch" system."
Miho drew out the site glass in the dirt. "Now...the center triangle is four stritch in total. The three to it's left and right are two stritch each and the gaps between those three are a single stritch. Hanna? Please factor out the current gunnery problem?"
Hanna came forward and pointed about…."Each of the practice targets facing us is one meter wide. In our sites the target touches the bottom corners of the first triangles to the left and right of the center "stritch" triangle, This means the target stands at "two stritch". We take the width of the target "One Meter" divided by "Two stritch" times "One Thousand" to get the distance to the center of the target which is "500 Meters".
Hanna then pulled out the calculations sheet for the Panzer IV 75mm main gun. "Practice round, HE Round, AP Round. Since we're firing blue dummy rounds with a 5 knot left to right cross wind at 500 Meters. By the table we correct 1 stritch left, elevate to 15 degrees and fire."
Momo waved an arm..."Everyone return to their tanks. Let's give this another go."
Momo got back into her gunner seat and re-aimed as the other tanks opened fire and got successful hits on their targets!
"Remember to breath deeply Momo-chan." Anzu said calmly.
"I'm not shooting a hunting rifle you know?!" Momo replied!
"Just saying." Anzu said. "Breathing is an important part of aiming."
Momo pulled her trigger and once again the cannon round went wide crazy left off target!
"OH WHAT THE HELL! (BEEEEEP!) DAMN IT! (BEEEEEEEEP!) SON OF A (BEEEEEEP!) (BEEEEEEP!)
Miho stuck her head into the 38 T…."Ummm? Miss Kawashima?"
"WHAT?!" Momo snapped back enraged!
Miho smiled softly. "I don't think it's you. Obviously? The gun and scope are not aligned properly. We might have to call in a professional calibration for it."
"Don't lie for her!" Came a voice from outside the tank and the angry Momo climbed out to see her little sister Mochiku standing in front of her father's motor scooter…
"Chee, Chee? I'm not in a good mood right now…." Momo said waving a finger at her little sister only to have the six year old wave a pair of glasses back at her older sister.
"Of course you're not hitting anything Sister...You're blind as a bat! You took the wrong glasses to school again!" Chee Chee said as he father lifted her up.
"She was insistent we'd chase after you all day." Momo's father said.
Momo slackened and softly smiled..."You two….silly me. Thank you Chee Chee….thanks Daddy."
"From what I'm seeing?" Momo's father said. "The style of glasses has no effect on my daughter's ability to lead. That's my girl….keep it up."
"You're awesome Big Sister!" Chee Chee chirped happily.
As Momo's father and little sister rode away….Momo fought against losing herself..."Sigh….I'm thinking all of us are tired? Let's finish practice and call this a good day shall we?"
Miho smiled softly back. "Yes...it was a great day and still more hard work ahead."
Momo looked back at Miho. "Please still arrange for the re-calibration of the 38-T Nishizumi...and please? Keep what just happened a little quiet?"
Miho nodded and smiled in return.
St Gloriana Girl's College
Early evening
Darjeeling, Assam, Orange Pekoe and Rosehip sat in the resplendent yet low in ostentation senior students lounge enjoying their desert after a wonderfully prepared dinner of slow smoked Lam covered in mint sauce.
"I must say my dear Pekoe." Darjeeling said as she dabbed her lips with a napkin after taking in a small portion of pastry with a silver desert fork."Your culinary grace aptly fits the old proverb… "One smiles best when things are prepared slow and with love and joy."
"I'm so glad you all enjoy it!" Pekoe replied with light bows. "It's actually my Grandmother's design. I thought I'd never match it!"
"With the touch of nutmeg and cinnamon coating you added? It truly sings of divinity." Assam said with joy. She turned to Rosehip and remarked about her teacup. "A new one? What does this one make now Rose? Number 54?"
"57 my Dear Assam." Rosehip replied. "The last one however? Wasn't broken in battle. My older sister Miroki is with child and as you'd guess when I heard the news? Lift off of Apollo 11 into the ceiling with number 56."
"Will you ever find a way to protect these cups of yours?" Darjeeling asked. "As the old proverb reminds? "China does not grow on tress next to money."
Suddenly...the ornate Victorian era telephone on the table rang….
"Good evening...Saint Gloriana's Women's College….Darjeeling speaking. To whom do I have the please of speaking with?" Darjeeling said into the receiver.
Good evening Miss Darjeeling. I am Anzu Kadotani, Student Body President of Oarai Young Women's Academy….Most charmed to speak with you Madam."
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your call President Kadotani?" Darjeeling asked.
"Our school has decided to restart their Tankery team recently and we would like to challenge your school to a scrimmage match so we may test ourselves before submitting our application for the tournament this year." Anzu said.
Darjeeling looked at her comrades. "You wish to scrimmage us? We accept your request and rest assured? We will spare nothing from you because you're just starting out. And let us both agree right now that this will be fair match of equal strengths. is not like Pravda or Saunders, we believe in a fair and equitable experience. What is the number and type of your tanks so we can match them?"
"I will text you a full list." Anzu replied. "Let's set it up for?…..Next Friday?"
"Next Friday. Capital and splendid Miss Kadotani, we can't wait to start. Sleep pleasantly my good dear."
Days later….
Classroom instruction
The new team club house
Oarai Academy
Saemonza read a page from the PDF Miho gave everyone and gave it a quizzical look. "This is certainly different from say "The Five Rings" or "Kagumasha's horse infantry doctrine". Who'd ever think "Bozo gangs" would have combat tactics?"
"Exactly why I questioned it." Momo said as she looked at Miho.
Miho waved a hand to everyone..."There's really no difference between a combatant on a fast motorcycle and combatants in tanks. It's all mobile warfare with the same means to the same ends...advantage, position, attrition, execution and domination. Going into the tournament circuit? We're going to be out-gunned and out-classed compared to some of the other schools. We have to resort to the unexpected and I'll admit...the seriously crazy, if we stand a chance of having a good showing our first time up."
Hanna raised a hand..."I thought you said once that you wanted to have fun?"
"Miho nodded back. "Oh I do! And what would be more fun than watching opponents heads spin when they're getting eggs tossed at them instead of shells? We're allowed to "skirt" the rules of Sensha-do so long as we don't violate them right? That might be the best advantage open to us? We must have a chaotic doctrine that confuses our opponents. Didn't Field Marshal Rommel once say that those who practice the art of insane chaos gain more victories?"
Anzu had been silent through the class except now when she stood up. "Well? We're going to have a good opportunity to prove our doctrine very soon. I've set up our first team to team scrimmage match in a few days with Saint Gloriana Women's Academy! They've given us the home field advantage at our home port in Oarai Village!"
Momo snorted..."Thank you for telling us all after the fact! That's in 48 hours! We don't have enough time for a planning meeting!"
"We won't if you keep being so emotional." Anzu replied calmly. "All tank commanders stay here. Everyone else please go to the garage, meet with the auto club and make sure your tanks are in their best condition. Get it done fast then go home and get lots of rest! We pull into Oarai at 3am for a 6am match!"
Mako's mouth almost dropped…."Did you say? 6 am?"
Anzu replied. "Actually? We need to be up at 4am to get down to the combat field for a 9am start."
Mako stood up stiff and bowed. "I thank you all for this opportunity but I must quit!"
Saiori jumped up! "Quit?! Mako!"
"4am?! I can't get up at 4am! There are things human beings simply can not do! I quit!" Mako started to walk towards the door but the other girls jumped up to block her!
"Nothing is impossible for a team of humans!" Erwin snapped.
"You're too valuable!" Azusa Sawa yelped. "We've got better drivers now because of you!"
"It doesn't matter!" Mako snapped! "I can't get up at 4am! I can't even function well at 6! It would take me months to get used to that! And you expect me to drive in a match that early?! Not happening!"
Saiori ran and blocked the door! "Stop being a stubborn mule! We'll get you up and functioning because we care about you Mako?! Do you want to fall back in grades?! Do you want to be called a "Botoru gakusei"?! How about calling me your Sempai?! Huh?! Say it you lowly future underclassman! Saiori Sempai!"
Mako growled in reply…."Saiori…..Sempai…."
Miho, Yukari and Hanna got in front of Mako..."We're not just a team now." Yukari said sternly. "We're all family."
Hanna said..."Your troubles are our troubles."
"We'll help you get up on time Mako. Trust us!" Miho begged.
The other girls in the room shouted encouragements until Mako relented..."Alright! Alright! I won't quit! Ugh...enjoy tiring yourselves out on my account. All drivers meet me in the garage...we're gonna go over the manuals and beat them into each others' brains….UGH!"
Tank Commander meeting
Momo stood addressing Anzu, Yuzu, Miho, Erwin, Azuza and Noriko before a quick erase board…
"Saint Gloriana will be putting four Matilda Two class medium tanks and a single Churchill heavy tank against us. They're a very well organized and highly professional school team yet we have the home field advantage. Our best chance for victory is a quick and focused attack from above, putting our shells where the opponent is weakest. The best place I feel we can achieve a decisive and swift victory is here...The Nagayoka gorge in the Yetsugumi hills west of Oarai Town. We funnel them down through this dry river cut where they can't maneuver nor spread out. My best guess is they'll put two Matilda tanks in the lead, then the Churchill, then the last two Matildas'. We focus our fire upon the lead Matilda then decimate them down the line until we kill them all!"
Momo whacked the board hard with her hand for emphasis!
"Very achievable." Anzu said happily. She then regarded Miho's questioning look. "Miho?"
Miho jumped..."Huh? Yes?"
"You have a question?" Anzu asked. "Don't be shy! This is a strategy meeting after all, everyone should have an input."
Miho looked at Momo…."Well? I was just thinking that Saint Gloriana's almost a Bantam level college team and they'll probably expect an attempted ambush like that."
Momo huffed at Miho. "Then maybe you should move from Vice Commander to Commander? I think you're holding back some experience to avoid taking charge."
Anzu seemed to agree...She started clapping then she started chanting..."Cho-Kan! Cho-Kan! Cho-Kan! Miho-Yam"
The other girls joined her…."Cho-Kan! Cho-Kan! Cho-Kan! Miho-Yam"
Miho sat rubbing her chest..."Guys? I thank you for the voice of confidence but? While I look like I know a lot? I'm really not Commander material...I've never Commanded anything. Even at my last school? I just followed orders and held up the act you know? My own sister always calls me immature and irresponsible….I?"
Momo got face to face with Miho and handed her the pointer stick..."This is just a scrimmage match. At least give us all the opportunity to see for ourselves if you're not Commander material. You're way to good to be a Vice Commander, even I accept that fact."
Momo pointed to the board. "Now? Can you offer a better strategy than this?"
All the other girls sat in suspense…
"You have the floor Miho." Anzu said as she flashed a thumbs up. "Take deep breaths and just let it flow out!"
Miho took two deep breaths…."Ok! Momo's idea is tactically sound except how to draw the enemy into the kill funnel. That's going to require some pretty delicious bait. Therefore… my Panzer IV will act as the dragging lure, we will engage the enemy in a spirited fight and make them chase us. They will probably believe that my Panzer IV and the Assault 3 are the primary dangers to them so they'll want to kill us off first. That desire will be their disadvantage. Do well all agree?"
Erwin sighed..."I did notice something amiss in this plan...Our intended ambush point is a little offset from the river cut, which means none of us will have direct line of sight down their whole advancing column. That? And as for my Assault 3? we have to have a ramp so that our gun will be depressed enough for a critical hit on Gloriana's advancing tanks."
Miho looked at Momo..."Are we allowed to fix an engineer's blade to a tank?"
Momo replied. "I've seen nothing in the rule books against it. I'll recheck and if we can? I'll get the auto club to mount one to the "Pink Lee". I'd say a 30 degree slope would work for our tanks to properly exploit the high ground."
Miho thought..."Which means? I'll have to drag Saint Gloriana around on a wild goose chase until we're ready to play our "Sneaky, Sneak" card. In fact? There's our operation name! "Sneaky Sneaks!"
Norioko replied. "Awwww...I was thinking of Operation Spike from Above.
Erwin replied. "Operation Caserine"
Momo replied. "Operation Dirt Stomper."
Anzu waved a hand. "The name is decided...I like "Sneaky Sneaks"...it's cute and betrays nothing. OPSEC people. OPSEC?" Anzu stood up. "Well? I think we're ready! Everyone get a good rest! Oh yeah? A little wager to put some "Umph" in everyone's tails. If we don't beat Saint Gloriana? The whole team will do the Onko Dance through town."
"WHAT?!" Momo yelped!
"Yup!" Anzu replied. "Costumes and all. So we better win."
As Anzu walked from the room….Miho walked up to Momo..."Ummm? Onko Dance?"
"You better lead us to victory Nishizumi! You must! The Onko Dance?! We'll never live down the embarrassment!" Momo walked away waving her arms around as Erwin walked up to Miho…
"Would you like Cyanide tablets to preserve your honor?" Erwin said with a smirk.
Asuza Sawa raised a hand and ran to catch Momo..."Ummm? Aren't you worried Saint Gloriana might see the plow blade before the match?"
"I think? If we e-mail the match co-coordinator before hand? She will approve it and allow us to deploy to the starting area late so Gloriana doesn't get to see it. Leave that to me alright? Just make sure it gets mounted to the Lee when I get the all clear for it." Momo replied.
"Yes mam!" Asuza replied.
Match Day
4am
Oarai School ship
Mako's house
"MAKO! IT'S TIME TO GET UP! COME ON! MOVE!" Saiori yelled as she struggled to pull Mako upright from her sleeping matt! "GAWWW! YOU WEIGHT A TON AS DEAD WEIGHT MAKO! WHERE IS IT ALL? IN YOUR BUTT?!"
"Mmmmffff…..shut up." Mako replied between snores. "You're the one with the fat lead tush "Say Say"….ugh…."
Saiori suddenly shivered as a bungle blasted through the open sliding door in the bedroom. It was Yukari playing every army reveille bugle call in the book….
The American Army
The Imperial Japanese Army
The Napolionic Grand Army
The Kaiserin Imperial Army
The Weirmacht
The British Army
The French Army
Monty Python?
As she played, she got closer and closer to Mako until she practically plastered the horn in her ears! "WAKE UP SOLDIER! ON YOUR FEET! IT'S FIGHT DAY! GET UP!" Yukari shouted. She then looked at Saiori with equal exasperation..."Quite the determination to kiss that pillow huh?"
"Put that horn down and help me get her on her feet Yukari!" Saiori snarled as the two girls struggled to get Mako out of bed. "We'll be late that this rate!"
No sooner had the girls struggled to get Mako upright, the whole bedroom was blown into chaos by the concussion from a 75mm tank gun blasting a dummy round off on the street outside Mako's little house! The blast set off people's car and home alarms, broke windows, sent pets into panic'd flight and knocked down two telephone poles…
"Ummmm…..oops?" Miho said with a shrug and a grimace as she was hit with a torrent of angry obscenities and threats from the surrounding neighbors..."Uhhhh sorry? It was a dummy round? Just trying to wake up a team mate you know?"
The sudden blast had one effect….it made Mako suddenly disappear, leaving Saiori and Yukari standing bewildered under bed sheets…
"Well?" Saiori chirped. "Mission accomplished!"
Yukari looked around the trashed bedroom..."Tell Miho not to get a job as a home remodeling agent." She then walked out through the sliding doors to see Mako's butt and legs sticking out of the Panzer IV's driver hatch on the tanks' "bull nose".
"Please tell me she's not dead?" Yukari asked as she climbed onto the tank.
"No..."Mako replied. "But you will be when I get my strength."
The Panzer IV
moving towards the off-loading station
5am
Saiori was pulling a school uniform shirt over Mako's head as Yukari pulled a small green air tank and mask from her German field pack…
"Ok Mako….take a few deep breaths from this." Yukari said as she adjusted a breathing mask over Mako's nose and mouth. "It's pure Oxygen to get your blood spiked up. You'll be ready in no time."
"This is so embarrassing." Mako groaned.
"I promise Mako….no one's going to find out about this." Saiori said as she slipped Mako's feet into her pair of combat boots. "Why can't they make combat boots better for women? I swear they told me that the one's I'm wearing now? They wouldn't damage my feet in any way but it didn't take an hour before that became a big fat lie, I can tell you! My toe nails are absolutely suffering in these "bloggy" monsters!"
Miho smiled from her commander seat. "I learned long ago to wear thick male athletic socks and stuff the ends with cotton balls. Face it Saiori? Combat boots were not made for fashion runway models."
Hanna was driving the Panzer IV and saw the other team tanks lined up at the gateway to the disembarkation ramp near the ship's control structure or "Island". Ahead in the distance was the mainland and the port of Oarai Town.
Outside the tank, Anzu was gathered with the other team members as they all regarded the distant town and the time they would have after the match….if it didn't last all day….to walk around on "Terra no rocky, roll-eee"
Inside the Panzer IV….Yukari slipped a cup of fresh coffee into Mako's hand as Saiori slowly worked a tooth brush through Mako's mouth and rubbed a hot face towel around her neck. "Feeling better?" She asked Mako.
"I'm getting there." Mako replied. "What a pain..but? Since you all value me like gold, I guess I'd better suffer through and at least make an effort. Hey Hanna? I'm well enough to drive now….thanks much."
Mako turned to Yukari. "Splended coffee Yuki-chan, you are total boss."
Miho joined the other girls standing in a group…"Is Saint Gloriana here yet?" She asked Momo.
Momo turned and pointed to the rear of the Oarai school ship…"Their record of being prim and prompt remains unbroken."
Miho regarded the size of the Gloriana school ship. "Is that? Ark Royal? Glorious? Or Hermes?"
"Ark Royal class." Momo replied. "Certainly makes our Akagi class look puny but when you have more money, you can afford to be more showy."
And just to add emphasis perhaps? The Gloriana ship began to play "The Ballad of the British Grenadiers" loud and proud from every speaker that could boom it out!
Anzu stood eating a sweet potato chip and giggling..."Oh it will be such a treat to watch them do the Onko Dance in their bright red uniform coats….Right Nishizumi?"
"I certainly hope so." Miho replied.
Anzu reached up, cupped her hands to each side of Miho's head and pulled her nose to nose. "Ummmm? Let's have so more confidence? Team Commander. Won't it be hillarious?!"
Miho pulled her reply up from the gutt! YES! YES IT WILL! WE'RE GOING TO BEAT SAINT GLORIANA AND MAKE THEM DO THE ONKO DANCE!"
The other girls shouted their encouragement as Miho bounded up the Panzer IV! "Everyone! Prepare to disembark! PANZER VOE!"
The other girls screamed back "PANZER VOE! VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY!"
8:30am
Oarai Town sports field
Oarai, Japan
Scrimmage match between Oarai Girls' Academy and Saint Gloriana Women's Academy.
The crowd was festive and excited! It had been fifteen years since the school ship had fielded a strong Senshi-do team and the sleepy fishing and farming village was looking forward to a little more excitement and festivity in what had been years of struggle and hard times between a decline in fishing and a terrible earthquake a decade earlier.
The Panzer IV led the others through town to cheers and wishes of good luck from the townsfolk, including a group holding a sign declaring them the last alumni who road these very tanks fifteen years earlier…
"GIVE THEM YOUR BEST!"
"SHOW THEM THE STEEL OF OARAI WOMEN!"
"WE'LL BE WITH YOU! GOOD LUCK!"
Miho waved at them..."WE'LL WORK HARD TO MAKE YOU PROUD TODAY!" She shouted back!
Miho could see members from the Japanese National Police putting up barricades along some of the streets with signs declaring…."Battle Zone Perimeter. Off limits to pedestrians and traffic." She regarded it with a slight smile..."So? Some parts of the town will be battle zones? Sweet."
The Oarai tanks turned onto the large athletic field where a team of military transport carriers waited to take them to the designated match starting area. After loading them up, the girls walked around the various vendor and entertainment booths before the formal team greeting session at 9am.
Hanna, Mako, Yukari, Miho and Saiori stopped to get pastries and coffee and regarded the festive atmosphere the town had set up with all the tank themed playgrounds, balloons, R/C models and a large Bavarian style band with singers who played and sang martial tunes of old.
"It's just a practice match but these people make it feel like the World Series." Hanna said.
"I know." Yukari replied. "From what I've heard? Oarai had one impressive team fifteen years ago. They only won a single battle flag in the previous years before they last disbanded but the spirit's never left it seems."
The music bubbled deep in Miho a feeling of suppressed pride for her former school. The band was playing "Ein Soldaten Comeraden" and she was caught up in the tempo and spirit while trying to sip her coffee. She reflected on the days during practices when the whole "K-Mine" team would sing that song. At first she just starting swaying to it, then she started to drum on the table, then noting the time...she just got up and started singing and marching to it towards the meeting field with the others from the Panzer IV marching and singing with her!
Erwin heard Miho and snatched up the others from the Assault 3…."Come on! Where one does it?! We all do it!"
Team by team the Oarai girls sang and marched as one and why not drag the singing group from the Bavarian band along with them….
"Ein volk! Und Jing Valasa! Und Valaska Jah! Ein Volk Heing Jing valasa Und Valaska Jah!"
Darjeeling, the Commander of Saint Gloriana, stood composed with her cup of tea watching the entrance of the Oarai team with a placid smile. "They're sure spirited."
Rosehip nodded…."Indeed. I think we're going to have an interesting match."
Darjeeling smiled at Rosehip as she handed her a simple plain white tea cup. "To save your latest acquisition my dear. Though I doubt these new-comers will ever be able to spill a drop of our tea. Wager on the length of the game?"
Rosehip thought…"Yes...two hours."
"My? How you give them such a gracious handicap." Darjeeling said. "I say they will give a good effort but they will fall in forty minutes. Summon the others. It is time to form up."
9am
Oarai Town Athletic Field
Starting meeting between Saint Gloriana and Oarai Academy
Scrimmage match
A fife and Drum band opened the official start of the opening festivities being chaired by Captain Ami Chourno of the JMSDF and two attending "Line Judges" from the Sensha-Do federation. The school teams were face to face in single rows with their Commanders and Sub-Commanders standing before them. Captain Chourno raised her arm to stop the music.
"Good morning citizens and guests of Oarai Town, Teams and their Commanders! I, Captain Ami Chourno of the Sensha-do governing body welcome you all today to this scrimmage match between Saint Gloriana Womens' Academy and Oarai Girls Academy! Will the Commanders and Sub-Commanders of the opposing teams please step forwards!"
Miho, Anzu and Momo walked up to Captain Chourno as did Darjeeling and Orange Pekoe.
Anzu reached a hand out..."Good morning Commander Darjeeling." She said cheerfully.
"Yes….a splendid day for a tussle isn't it?" Darjeeling replied.
Captain Chourno spoke. "Before we officially begin the match? Allow me to express some of the basic rules and safety regulations. This is an annihilation match. The first team to knock out all the opposing teams' tanks is declared the winner. There is no time limit on the match. The match will progress from the start of the explosive flare until there is a winner. If the match goes to twelve hours with no winner? A cease fire will be called and both teams will observe a five hour cease fire for rest and sleep. The match will be restarted after the cease fire to go another twelve hours or until there is a clear winner. Crews who leave their tank to try and repair it are not to be fired upon. Teams who abandon their tank will be allowed to get clear of it before it is fired upon. Any safety situation will cause a halt of the match and a determination if the match should continue or be ended. Do both teams understand these rules and all other pertinent rules of the Federation of Tankery?"
The teams replied with shouts of "YES MAM!"
Captain Chourno gestured to the team Commanders…."Very well! Team Captains?! BOW!"
The Commanders and Sub-Commanders bowed to each other and spoke loudly..."LET'S HAVE A GOOD MATCH!" They then shook hands, turned about and walked back to their teams.
The Oarai girls boarded a pair of old World War II American 2 ½ ton military trucks (Deuce n halfs) and quietly rode to their starting point where their tanks were lined in a row. Before they "mounted up", Anzu called them all together…
"Now I know this is only a scrimmage everybody? But treat it like it's a real league match. Ears open, eyes sharp, move quick. Nishizumi? We're all the hinges and your the pin...let's move swiftly and flawlessly to shut the door in Gloriana's face!"
"YEAH!" All the girls replied.
"MOUNT UP!" Momo yelled!
As the crew of the Assault 3 slipped into the compartment, perhaps it was Saemonza who felt the spirit of the moment, the anticipation of battle. She reached for the mp3 player near her seat, swiped through it and the speakers on the Assault 3 boomed out a heavy taiko drum and Kadaiko stick beat. A prepatude to war!
"Lord Tokugawa! Today is our Sekigahara! Be with us!" Saemonza shouted!
"Gurdarian...be my guide to victory!" Erwin snarled.
"Achilles! Let our struggle please you today!" Oryou shouted!
"Horatio watch over us!" Caesar snapped!
The 38-T
Anzu threw a shell into the main gun breech, snapped the block closed and threw up the safety lock. "You're hot Momo!"
"I'm ready!" Momo replied. "To our first victory everyone!" Momo said as she put out her hand and Yuzu and Anzu grasped it.
"I am ready!" Yuzu yelped!
The Type 89
Noriko growled as she clenched her fists..."I can't wait! We're going to nail a spike into all the Matilda tanks! They're going to know our wrath!"
"RIGHT!" The other girls replied!
The Pink Lee
Ayumi Yamagou threw a shell into the main gun and locked the breech as the other first year students scrambled to get shells for both the M-3's guns locked into clips around the tank's hull…
Aya Oono sat playing around with the site piece for the 37mm Gun. She was "OCD" when it came to the thing, she fumbled with the magnification settings and the head piece over and over again and still wasn't satisfied with them…
"Yuuki?! Come here for a little bit and see if you can get this head piece adjusted for me?!" She asked Yuuki Utsugi who had just finished loading the 75mm gun.
"You're nervous again." Yuuki said. "Your leg is kicking."
"I'm having internet width drawls girl, humor me please?"
The Panzer IV
Miho popped up through the Commander's hatch and looked down the line of tanks. "Is everyone ready?! Sound off please?" She asked through her throat mike.
"Assault 3 ready to kill!" Erwin replied.
"Pretty Pink Lee ready to fool the fools!"
"We're cool." Anzu said from the 38-T
"Serve you losers!" Noriko said from the Type 89!
Miho nodded..."Almost time. At the sound of the start blaster, we will all roll to point 12-36 on the map and wait in defilade (Defilade means ground that masks a force from an opposing force) for the enemy to cross the Shimakawa Plain then we'll enact our "Sneaky sneaks" operation and draw them into the designated kill zone. The Panzer IV will buy you all time to set up. Wait for my signal then attack as we planned. With luck? We should destroy a good portion of their force and wrap this up quick. Everyone understand?!"
"UNDERSTOOD!" The other girls replied.
From high above the combat field, an ancient Japanese "Betty" bomber equipped with loud speakers broadcasted to the teams below…
Prepare for combat! Sixty seconds to the start round! Good luck to all participants! Steel your nerves! Lock horns! May the best team win!"
From inside the Panzer IV, the other girls put their hands on Miho's feet….
"DO IT MIPORIN!" Saiori yelped!
"We're locked to your every order!" Yukari yelped!
"Strait and true!" Hanna said.
"I'm fighting sleep but I'm ready. Let's kick their ass." Mako said sleepishly.
10am
One of the "line judges" threw up a Panzerfaust anti-tank weapon, squeezed down on the trigger bar and let loose a round into the air with a huge scream! The warhead flew fifty yards into the sky and exploded with a loud roar and a brilliant flash!
Captain Chourno spoke into her hand set..."ALL TANKS GO! GOOD HUNTING!"
Saint Gloriana
Darjeeling sat composed and controlled in her seat in the Churchill Main Battle Tank. "All tanks...hold your places….be patient."
Assam turned from her seat in the gunnery position with a plate of scones. "Another scone Commander?"
"Thank you." Darjeeling said as she used a napkin to grab a scone and neatly placed it in her lap. "As the old English proverb advises..."The old dog who waits for the pups to tire shall have his fox at the end."
Oarai
The Panzer IV and the 38-T took the watch point while the others followed them as they raced quickly to their chosen observation point above the Shimakawa Plain…
Momo looked back at the following tanks..."Practice is paying off so far...we're kicking up very little dust as a group."
"There was a little rain last night." Miho replied through her throat mike. "I wish it had poured like buckets, the Shimakawa Plain would have been a mud bog which isn't a good place to run a Churchill through. I suspect though that Gloriana won't be in a rush to end this fight quick so we better be mindful of our fuel."
10:45am
Oarai Defilade above the Shimakawa Plain
Miho and Yukari leaped from the Panzer IV, threw down a pair of beach towels on the dirt and grass stubble of their small observation post and carefully scanned the plain below…
"They sure have some serious patience." Yukari said as she looked through her binoculars. I can't wait to see real British tanks up close."
"I like your enthusiasm." Miho said with a chuckle. "I'm not being derogatory just so you know. Compared with my sister? I'm the family ditz."
Yukari laughed..."You were the less serious one in the family weren't you."
"I was so not into tanks when I was younger. I was always daydreaming, goofing off, but? I could beat both my mother and my sister at checkers and Sudoku every time." Miho remarked. "And I was never serious when I did it….drove my mother crazy let me tell you."
"You're a tactical idiot savant!" Yukari said as she gave Miho's arm a light punch. "I love all this small talk, makes the time we're waiting less of an agony."
Miho looked at her watch..."Another fifteen minutes I would guess. Gloriana's not going to sit all day."
11:17am
Saint Gloriana starting point.
Darjeeling gave her loader a look of placidness..."My dear? Shall we commence?"
"Yes." The girl returned with a smile. "Let's progress."
Both girls dropped into the turret of the Churchill, with Darjeeling taking her place on the commander's seat. Like clock work, another crewman gave her a new saucer and cup of tea to enjoy. Darjeeling grabbed her radio handset and calmly announced…
"All tanks…..advance."
The five tanks of Saint Gloriana moved out as a single soul with the Churchill taking the point in a forward by-angle chevron with two Matildas' on each side of it. They soon broke the foliage cover that bordered the wide plain of Shimakawa.
11:30am
Oarai Defilade above the Shimakawa Plain
Miho patted Yukari on the back. "There we go." She said as she pointed.
Yukari exhaled with excitement…."Beautiful...They're moving at a fast speed but they're holding their formation wonderfully! That big Churchill is a beast!" Yukari lowered her binoculars. "You realize we're not carrying any shells that could damage that beast at long range? The Assault 3 alone would have to get right up against the hull just to do critical damage, even the engine compartment is tough."
Miho replied…."That's where tactics and strategy come in."
Yukari replied..."RIGHT! Let's get at them!"
Miho and Yukari jumped up and ran back to the Panzer IV where they scaled up the "Bull nose" with Miho stopping at Mako's position…
"Mako...let's deploy? But keep the engine noise down so it doesn't echo off the river bed walls ok?"
"Got it." Mako replied sleepishly as she started the engine and turned the tank around in a quick spin. Soon the Oarai team were off rolling along the river cut, taking advantage of the natural trench to shield them from the searching tanks of Gloriana.
"Momo." Miho called Momo from her throat mike. "Almost time to split off. Don't rush your preparations, I'm sure we can keep them occupied long enough. When you're ready? Call me by saying "Red" three times...got it?!"
Momo replied. "Got it! Good luck Nishizumi. Don't take too many risks."
Miho saw the turn in the cut coming that would take the team to the ambush point. "Oarai Team! Split up and get ready! Good hunting!"
"RIGHT!" The other tank captains' signaled and the Team split apart with the Panzer IV continuing as the rest took the turn.
11:48am
The Panzer IV
Miho slipped back down into the turret..."Yukari?! Load a blue round please?"
"Blue? A training round?" Yukari asked.
"Why waste good shells on a decoy tactic right?" Miho replied.
Yukari nodded in approval and threw a blue practice round into the 75mm gun breech! "Loaded!" She yelped back.
Miho turned to Hanna…."Try and send the rounds off their turrets, make their ears smart a little bit."
"Ok." Hanna replied.
Miho addressed the whole crew…"Ok...we're going to be the fox to their hounds, I'm sure Saint Gloriana will love this. The trick is to play our speed against them, Mako? You'll need to zig zag and be unpredictable when you do it."
"Tank Slalom." Mako replied. "Can I go right at them to make it more interesting so I don't fall asleep?"
"Don't you dare do anything crazy?" Saiori warned with a waving finger.
Noon
Saint Gloriana's Churchill
"Hmmmm…." Darjeeling noised as she looked through the scope slits of her Commander's position. "They're playing the hiding game quite well."
Her driver replied. "Given the lack of power in their own tanks, I'm not surprised."
"Now, now my dear." Darjeeling said waving a finger. "As the old Indian proverb states, the Mongoose can sleep with content, it is the snake who tires with endless restless motion."
Suddenly…...KABLANG!…..A shell struck the turret in the side and clanged the armor like a bell!
Darjeeling didn't flinch while her others grimaced and shook their heads from the noise….
"It helps to invest in ear plugs girls." Darjeeling said as she raised her tea cup.
Her gunner smirked…."We were hoping they'd show up?"
"KABLANG!" Another shell bounced off the turret!
"Someone? Please locate the source of the hammer?" Darjeeling asked calmly. Her gunner was on it!
"I have them! Their Panzer IV is elevated! 70 degrees to our left! Range 640 meters! Declination plus 34!" The gunner yelped!
Darjeeling smiled…."Our first target. All tanks follow our lead. Our target is one of their main two, the Panzer IV. Maintain point forward chevron formation.
12:16pm
The Panzer IV
Miho gave Hanna the command…."FIRE!"
The 75mm gun barked and a training round flew across the space and glanced off the turret face of one of the Matilda tanks! "Ok, we've got their attention, let's give them a good fox hunt! Initiate "Slip en Slide" Mako!
"You have an interesting choice of operation names." Mako replied as she worked the drive controls and set the Panzer IV into a fast moving roll as the five Gloriana tanks bounded up the steady sloping ground before them and started to give chase with their retreating prey!
"Yukari! Turn our turret face to them! Mako! Start evading like I told you! Yukari?! Load live AP round!" Miho barked as she stood exposed out of the commander's hatch!
Saiori yelped with fear..."Miporin! Don't stay outside too long! It's too dangerous! You could be hit!"
"Another trade secret of the League Saiori!" Miho replied. "The rounds won't come close to anyone exposed out of the hatches! I can better help us evade them from up here! Our armor is paper thin in the backside so we need to keep from getting hit!"
Even with the Panzer IV going full power through the river cut, the Gloriana tanks were just as fast! Their formation had tightened up but their discipline was excellent! Soon….tank rounds began to fly past and explode around the Panzer IV as Mako gave the Gloriana gunners extreme fits of difficulty!
12:32pm
Saint Gloriana's Churchill
"Whom ever is driving that tank?!They deserve applause!" Darjeeling's gunner said with a little sound of frustration. "Lady Darjeeling? We need to focus and time our combined shots!"
"Progress please my good lady?" Darjeeling replied.
The gunner spoke into her throat mike. "All gunners! Follow my orders left to right! Volley fire regimental order, step left / right by five! Fore / Aft by two! Execute on my command! FIRE!"
12:34pm
The Panzer IV
A Gloriana shell "KLANG'D!" off the right side of the Panzer IV's turret as their shell fire took on an orderly and disciplined fall of attack! Another one glanced off the left back corner and caused Miho to almost fall onto her butt!
Miho slipped into the turret..."Looks like we're getting their undivided attention now!" She said as she had to hold on as Mako violently threw the tank left and right to avoid being hit!
"Saiori? Remember when you told me not to do something stupid?!" Mako asked!
"YES!" Saiori yelped!
"Well here comes STUPID!" Mako screeched! She threw around the controls, turned the Panzer IV 180 and drove head on towards the Gloriana tanks!
12:46pm
The Churchill
The gunner was shocked to see her sighting glass full of the onrushing Panzer tank! "WOE! TURN US RIGHT!"
Darjeeling managed to somehow balance her tea through the violent maneuvering, watching threw her view ports as the Panzer IV threaded through her line and retreated fast behind it!
"See what I said about the Mongoose?" She said calmly as she grabbed her hand set..."All tanks...orderly about. I must say this girl is making things quite interesting."
Rosehip called from one of the Matilda tanks..."Where are the rest of their tanks?! Darjeeling?! I think she's taking us for a joy ride here?!"
"Then as the old proverb says..."Do not scold your horse when she is angry….offer her sugar." Darjeeling replied.
"Ugh! My Lady?! That totally flies over the face of our current situation!" Rosehip snapped back!
12:46pm
Oarai ambush point
Nagayoka gorge in the Yetsugumi hills
"Come on! Come on! Up and over, let's go!" Momo exclaimed as she directed the Assault 3 onto it's plowed firing ramp! "Is that going to work?!" She yelled at Erwin!
Erwin snapped from her commander hatch! "Damn right it will! On point Momo!"
Anzu quickly walked over to the Pink Lee..."Chop! Chop first year students! Get that engineer blade detached and get the Lee onto its' ramp! Quickly! Quickly!"
"Yes President!" The first year student's replied as they started to detach the plow blade from their M-3. Anzu joined Yuzu and Momo at the edge of the high point overlooking the outlet of the dry river bed below them….
"Are we all set?!" She asked Momo.
"Yes...I'll wait two more minutes then I'll give Nishizumi the signal. We're going to turn Gloriana into a pile of junk!" Momo said determined…."Grrrrr...our first victory here will be the boost this team needs! What our school needs!"
Anzu patted Momo on the shoulder..."I love your enthusiasm. Just make sure to hit the target Momo-Chan."
"WILL YOU QUIT IT WITH THE MOMO-CHAN?!" Momo screamed out! "You two get back in the 38-T and be ready to give them hell! All tanks! Stand by!"
Momo key'd her throat mike…."Nishizumi! RED! RED! TED! I say again! RED! RED! RED!"
1pm
The Panzer IV
Saiori screamed from her seat in the "bull nose"..."MIPORIN! RED! RED! RED!"
Miho reacted quickly..."Yukari! Switch cannon rounds to high explosive smoke! Mako! Throw us about and charge Gloriana again! Yukari….make the reloads hot and fast as you can, four rounds. Hanna?! Fire when I tell you going left to right! When we run through their formation...we go strait for the ambush! Hang on because everything's going to get a little squirly…...NOW! DO IT MAKO!"
1:02pm
The Churchill
The gunner screamed…."THEY'RE CHARGING US AGAIN!
1:02pm
The Panzer IV
Miho snarled….."FIRE!"
The Panzer IV's 75mm Gun barked and threw a round into the face plate of the left most Matilda tank where it exploded in bright fluorescent green!
Miho again snarled….."FIRE!"
The 75mm gun barked again and sent the second round off the "bull nose" of the Matilda to the Churchill's right! It exploded in a bright baby blue smoke!
Miho snarled again…."FIRE!"
The 75mm Gun barked again and send a round against the Churchill's face plate where it exploded in dark grey smoke!
"BRACE FOR COLLISION!" Miho screamed! "FIRE!"
The last round crashed into the gun mantlet plate of one of the left side Matilda's from the Churchill and exploded in pure white smoke just as the Panzer IV rammed the Matilda in the side and sent it sliding to a crash against its' nearest twin!
"GO MAKO! GO! GO!" Miho urged her driver as Panzer IV powered its' way through the mess it had created and drove past and onward leaving the Gloriana team bewildered and surprised!
"Thankfully, I decided to go with a plain teacup!" Rosehip radio'd. "As expected...it's in pieces on the floor. That girl is insane!"
Darjeeling smiled and maintained her composure….of course including her un-spilled tea. "I'm enjoying this. This one is certainly full of spirit. If her fellows are equally so? We're in for quite a long and exhausting day with this match." Darjeeling grabbed her hand mike. "All tanks… return to standard order and pursue."
Darjeeling handed her tea to a subordinate and popped out of the commander's tank with her binoculars. She scanned down the river bed to see Nishizumi standing on her Panzer IV with a charming smile on her face and her hand gesturing at her…
"Come on...are you going to lounge all day?" Darjeeling read Miho's lips and smiled. She looked at her reforming team. "Enough play my dear ladies." Darjeeling said. "The time has come to show them the ruthlessness of the Wellington grand strategy. All tanks forward."
1:07pm
The Panzer IV
Miho slipped into the turret..."Mako! Go fast and don't stop." She said as she key'd her throat mike…
"Ok Momo….Panzer IV is on its' way with the enemy in tow. Be ready and fire carefully."
1:07pm
Oarai ambush point
Momo key'd her throat mike…."All tanks! The enemy is coming! This is the moment! Aim steady! Hit em hard!"
1:08pm
The Assault 3
Erwin growled and breathed deep as she looked through her telescope…."Matthäus Hetzenauer...steady our shells true!"
Saimonza reached out to grab Erwin's jacket..."Great Matsudaira….steel my sight that our shells shall strike fire into the enemy!"
1:08pm
The Type 89
Noriko fist bumped Akebi..."Spike em girl! Wreck em hard!"
1:08pm
The Pink Lee
Ayumi was visibly shaking as she tried to steady her head against the aiming scope..."I feel like I'm gonna…."
Saki, her loader, wasn't the most talkative type in the group but she was the most caring. Softly she started to rub Ayumi's shoulders and whispered in her ear…. "Breath….. breath … breath…." as she tightened her fingers with every word.
"Thanks Saki-chan…" Ayumi said with a smile…."I'm ready."
1:08pm
The 38T
Momo tightened the clench of her teeth as she spoke…."All tanks...Fire on my command. Hit their leading tank first."
1:11pm
The Panzer IV
Saiori felt like she was in a clothes dryer! "UGH! All this bumping around is going to put bruises on my butt and legs Mako!"
"An improvement, trust me." Mako replied. A close by impact explosion knocked Mako's head into a strapped amo box for the Panzer IV's machine gun and she swore hard!
"Mako?! You all right?!" Miho asked with concern.
"I'll be better when we're clear of these pests!" Mako replied as she ignored the little blood trickle on her forehead. "Gotta love their fire discipline!"
Yukari reloaded the 75mm gun and shouted to Hanna. "UP MISS HANNA! HE ROUND!"
Hanna replied…."I know where to send it too." She said calmly as she aimed and pulled her trigger!
1:14pm
The Churchill
"KABLAM! CRACK! SHATTER!" The inside of the turret suddenly became a rain of glass fragments as the Panzer IV round connected with the commander's hatch ring and blew all the scope ports apart or covered them in hot black soot! The girls inside reacted with cringed astonishment!
"That could have been a fatal shot!" Darjeeling's radio operator yelped!
"It would take more than that." Darjeeling replied. "Yet a very good and precise hit. I think these girls were lying about their experience." Darjeeling grabbed her hand mike. "All tanks! Put on some more speed! Don't worry about the ground, just catch that pesky Panzer IV!"
1:15pm
The Panzer IV
Miho key'd her throat mike. "Momo! We're 100 Meters! Coming down the lane with the enemy right on our butt! Be ready to fire the moment the first tank clears the mouth of the river bed!
1:19pm
The 38T
Momo growled as she looked through her eye piece and suddenly spotted a tank breaking through the mouth of the river bed!
"FIRE! FIRE!" She screamed!
Every tank along the ambush line opened up! Main guns, secondary guns and machine guns opened up in a flame and smoke filled fury!
1:19pm
The Panzer IV
Shells slammed around the tank and glanced off the turret of the PanzerIV as it seemed to leap into the air from the concussions hitting the ground around it!
"UGH! MOMO!" Miho screamed. "CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!"
1:20pm
The 38T
"KEEP FIRING! FIRE EVERYTHING YOU GOT!" Momo screamed!
"MOMO! THAT'S THE PANZER IV!" Yuzu screamed back! "EVERYONE STOP SHOOTING!"
But the so hopeful, so carefully planned ambush fell apart as the Glorina tanks rushed through the mouth of the river bed and quickly split up into two groups. One chased after the Panzer IV as it scaled up one side of the incline to the ambush point while the other group drove to the incline on the other side!
1:21pm
The Churchill
Darjeeling sighed with assured content..."Ah….your desire for a well executed ambush was known long before we even caught site of you all. Now...observe and learn what a well disciplined senshi-do team can do. Sorry this will be such a painful lesson for you all."
Darjeeling key'd her hand mike. "All tanks...advance but hold your fire. Let their confusion be our ally."
1:22pm
The Assault 3
Erwin snapped! "Oryou! Get us off the ramp and swing us right! Damn it! How could we have blown it like this!"
Caesar threw a shell into the Assault 3's gun breech! "Round up! Doesn't matter! We have to keep from being taken out!"
Saemonza pounded a fist in frustration! "I can't get a good aim! Hurry up and get us on level ground! Damn I wish this thing had a turret!"
1:23pm
The Type 89
Norioko snarled…."We have to cover the Commander! Turn us towards the Panzer IV and attack the enemy as they come into view! Go for the wheels! Aim for the wheels!"
The Oarai tanks at the top of the ambush point were firing wildly as fast as their loaders could toss shells into their guns. A lot of explosions and flying debris but they weren't hitting anything!
1:24pm
The Panzer IV
"Everyone! Calm down! Get off the ramps and form on the Panzer IV! Calm down and chose your targets!" Miho implored again and again!
Hanna turned back to Yukari and Miho…."Don't worry about me!...Yukari?! Keep loading please, I got the gun and turret well in hand!"
"Right!" Yukari said confidently as she threw an armored piercing round into the gun breech! "Round up!" She shouted!
Hanna lined her sight, pulled her trigger and sent a round almost into the right tank tread of a Matilda only to have the round defeated by the tough steel mud cover on the front right side!
Hanna waved a hand! 'Load smoke rounds! We have to get out of this mess! Miss Nishizumi?! Order retreat!"
Miho looked bewildered….overwhelmed…...confused….
"Miss Nishizumi?! Snap out of it!" Yukari begged!
"MIPORIN?!" Saiori screamed! "GET YOUR HEAD ON RIGHT!" She gave accent to her anger by throwing a pillow in Miho's face!
No one had to tell Mako what to do….quickly she began to back pedal the Panzer IV out of the closing Gloriana vice grip! "Some one had better keep shooting please?! Smoke would be very helpful right now!"
1:27pm
The Churchill
Darjeeling smiled with cold satisfaction..."It was fun while it lasted." She said as she grabbed her hand mike…."All tanks….concentrate first on the M-3...then the Assault 3….Then the Panzer IV or the 38T…..then the Type 89 but the Panzer IV shall be the last one to fall…."
"All tanks. Combined arms attack….commence."
All of Glorianas' tanks opened up at once upon the hapless M-3 Lee and the first year students inside. Rocking the tank viciously and throwing the girls inside all over each other! The violence of the assault was too much and the first year students scrambled to get out of the Lee by the back hatch!
"All tanks! Cease fire! The crew of the M-3 are running from it!" Darjeeling waited till the screaming girls were clear….
"Kill it!" She snapped! All the Gloriana tanks volleyed and turned the Lee into a broken wreck, causing it's surrender flag to pop from the turret top!
1:28pm
The Assault 3
Oryou had the Assault 3 backed out of the trap with its' strong frontal armor giving it good protection as Erwin tried to call the rest of the team to her side…
"Everybody! Form on me! Vollyball team! Student Counsel! Commander Nishizumi! Move your butts!"
1:29pm
The 38T
"Move Yuzu! Move! Move! Damn it! It's all my fault! It's my fault!" Momo cried but was soon screaming as the Gloriana tanks selected the 38T for their next massed attack!
"Keep backing up Yuzu. You're doing fine." Anzu said in her usual placid manor.
"President?!" Momo screeched as she struggled to get to her gunner's seat. "Load the stupid gun so I can do something!"
"Why?" Anzu asked. "Your worse aiming when we're moving, let's just concentrate on getting out of the mess we're in ok?"
Suddenly the 38T was rocked by explosions! One blew the linkage to the left tank track apart and the 38T rolled off the fallen track and flopped backwards into a ditch left by the ramp building dozer blade!
"We lost a track!" Momo yelped!
"Yup." Anzu replied. "The 38T tends to lose its' tracks pretty easily under stress." She softly patted the tank hull…."You poor thing. But?! They just might leave us alone now."
Momo was having none of it! She struggled for the coaxial machine gun and cut loose with a barrage of bullets,,,,which couldn't have any effect anyway but at least she still felt like she could atone for blowing the ambush.
1:31pm
The Panzer IV
Miho snapped out of her fog of confusion moment..."Takebei?! Find out who's left! Yukari?! Hanna?! Smoke left and right! Mako?! Keep backing us out of here!"
Saiori grabbed her radio head set…."All tanks report!"
Nothing came from the abandoned M-3 Lee.
"We're here of course!" Erwin's voice cracked! "Assault 3 covering your retreat Commander!"
Norioko cried out! "Volleyball team all set to re-spike the bastards! We're letting them have it on the left!"
Yuzu's voice cracked…."38T has lost its' left track and is stuck in a hole but we're not out yet!"
Miho took the reports and cringed in thought. The ambush was their best option. Two tanks down with the remaining three doubtful if they tried to stand toe to toe...thoughts were swirling around her head as explosions started building around the remaining three tanks as they backed themselves facing forwards to their more powerful opponents.
"Commander?! Orders!" Erwin screamed! "Let's do something?! Let's kick their butts!"
"We're set to serve! Tell us what to do?!" Norioko yelled!
Miho's stomach was starting to twist...another bout of indecision was showing it's ugly head until Yukari grabbed a hand….
"Commander? Your orders?" Yukari asked.
"You can do it Miss Nishizumi." Hanna said firmly.
"Tell us what to do Miporin!" Saiori begged!
"Let's not whimp out this easy Nishizumi? My grandmother will so kick my ass." Mako snorted.
Miho took a deep breath and barked! "All surviving tanks! Deploy smoke rounds! I'm sorry Vice Commander Kawashima but we must abandon you! Hurry up and fix the 38T if you can!"
"If I can get the President to stop chewing on her damn potatoes, We'll be lucky to be the last tank standing! Get the hell out of here all ready! GO!" Momo replied!
The Panzer IV, The Assault 3 and the Type 89 unleashed a volley of smoke rounds against their closing adversaries then turned around and rolled across the forested outskirts towards Oarai town.
1:38pm
Rosehip's Matilda
"I'm pleased they didn't just fold up and quit. Splendid recovery." She said to Darjeeling through her throat mike. "Did you pull our punches Commander?'
"I may have tended to them a little bit of mercy." Darjeeling replied. "They have certainly won my fair interest with their skill thus far. It appears they're going towards the town."
1:42pm
Oarai's new task force
The BozoKari Renkin
The Panzer IV, The Assault 3 and the Type 89 broke through a border of decorative hedges and raced onto an inner-urban highway into the blocked off section of Oarai Town that was designated a combat zone…
"What's the plan Commander?!" Erwin called out from the Assault 3.
"Grrrr….Let's make it hell for them!" Norioko snapped!
"Did you all read the PDF's on Bozo combat? Then this is "Operation Crazy Clown", we're going to take on Gloriana with Biker style combat."
Erwlin smirked…."Well the Assault 3 is certainly "dolled up" to be an awesome Bozo bike. All we need now is some eggs."
Oryou slowed the Assault 3 as the group navigated a narrow street. "You asked for eggs?! Here's a Dawson's Store on the left Chief."
Mako looked back at Miho as if she was nuts…."We're going to attack tanks...with eggs?"
"Method to the madness." Miho replied. "How much do you think they value those beautiful red tanker coats of theirs? Who here can boast of a good pitcher's arm?"
Yukari smiled and waved a hand…."I've been dying to chuck grenades for years. I practiced throwing pineapple grenades with rocks!"
Miho smiled back devilishly…."Hope Gloriana has a dry cleaning allowance." She said as she key'd her throat mike..."Assault 3, Type 89 teams. If you follow my lead, Yukari and I are going to set some of these Gloriana Matilda's for an ambush. Be ready to get in close and nail them!"
"Got it!" Erwin replied.
"Ready to lay em with a solid spike Commander! Oarai's my home town and I know it like the back of my butt!" Norioko chirped!
"I don't even wanna know about that Norioko-chan." Miho said chuckling.
1:58pm
Saint Gloriana stopped at the border of Oarai Town's combat district.
Darjeeling stopped next to Assam's Matilda tank and emerged from the Commander's hatch to sit on its' rim….
"Urban combat…." Assam said with pursed lips. "Always tough on these thin Japanese roads. Especially for your tank Commander."
"Well? We obviously can't sit and coax them out can we?" Darjeeling said as she sipped her tea. "Which is why when a single mongoose finds a snake hole, it will chase after allies for weeks before it decides to attack."
Darjeeling gestured to the other tank commanders…."Assam? You and tank number 4 will proceed to the north...bounding over-watch, separated by a block. I will tank tanks 2 and 3 with me to the South. The combat section isn't big enough to give them much of an advantage and they will be struggling with the streets as much as we but we have the better weight class and the better team. This should not last much longer."
Darjeeling gestured to Orange Pekoe…."Pekoe my dear? Blow the hunting horn so the foxes will know their time is short."
2:00pm
Yukari and Miho on foot
Oarai Combat District
Yukari heard the distant English horn and key'd the switch on the receiver of her radio backpack. "This is Yukari….they're coming now. Stand by."
Miho gestured a hand down the long narrow street before them as the girls' crouched behind a wall..."There they go...they're splitting up. Looks like two Matilda's are going North. The rest? South."
"You're sure this is legal right?" Yukari begged. "I mean? This is just totally underhanded."
Miho gestured and pulled Yukari beside her as the girls ran quickly to the North end of the Combat Zone. "I've read the regulations a dozen times Yukari...if the book doesn't cover it then you can do it."
"But we promised Saint Gloriana a fair fight!" Yukari worried.
"We're fudging the odds because honestly? None of our tanks can stand up to theirs, They could just steam roll us right now. I think Gloriana's just stretching things out for a teachable moment. Well? No better time to give them what they want right?" Miho asked as she stopped in her tracks and snuck with Yukari into a front yard hidden from view by decorative hedge rows….
Yukari pulled a WW2 infantryman's box telescope from her backpack and passed it to Miho. "Are they together?" She asked Miho as she looked through the bottom of the box scope…
"No….the pair of Matilda's just split at the end of this street. Looks like they're going to come our way taking a street apart. You stay here and set this one up for the "Stug" and I'll get the other one for the Type 89." Miho patted Yukari's shoulder..."Good luck for your pitching arm."
Yukari pushed Miho into a run..."You too!"
2:10pm
Assam's Matilda moving down Harai Street
Oarai Combat District
Assam's Matilda was moving in a slow crawl...having to stop at any side street or space big enough to hide a tank.
"Number 4….anything?" Assam asked the other Matilda moving on the next street to her left.
"No Sister." Tank 4's commander Mikari replied. "They couldn't have had enough time to camouflage their tanks, certainly?"
"Certainly not." Assam replied. "But keep sharp. They have that Assault 3 and it has a very nasty low profile."
Assam didn't see the flying white object till it smacked her square in the chest and splattered all over her red jacket!
"WHAT THE?!" She reacted with her arms spread out and before she could take it in….another round missile hit her chest again! Then another smacked her right in the face!
"AHH!" Assam screeched as she slipped and fell into her turret..."DAMN IT! Some one out there is throwing eggs at us!" She shook with rage as she looked down at her once pristine tanker jacket…
"Captain!" Her gunner snarled. "Some one's waving at us from behind a hedge! I bet it's a little kid!"
Assam jumped up and scrambled to get out of the Commander's hatch! "NOW LOOK HERE YOU LITTLE!"
"SMACK! SQUISH!" Another egg hit Assam in her face! "UGH! MIKARI! DAMN IT!"
"WHAT?!" Mikari's voice replied on the radio sounding equally upset! "WHO'S THROWING THE DAMNED EGGS!"
"YOU TOO?!" Assam snapped as she ducked down to avoid the missiles. "My gunner says it's little punks!"
"I JUST SAW ONE OF THEM!" Mikari's voice cracked! "GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE MISCREANT! DRIVER! CHASE THAT LITTLE BASTARD!"
Assam pounded a fist on the turret! "DRIVER! PURSUE THOSE LITTLE BASTARDS!" She then called Darjeeling with her throat mike..."Lady Darjeeling! We need the match stopped! We have some little jerks throwing eggs at us!"
"Are you sure?!" Darjeeling replied! "Stop where you are!"
Assam was beyond stopping. "They ruined my best jacket! I'm gonna take a tire spike to their butts! STOP RUNNING YOU LITTLE BASTARDS!"
Mikari was screaming over the radio on the next street. "One just ducked into a place down the street! I'm gonna fire hose paddle that little creep!"
Mikari stopped her tank as she looked to her right and saw what looked like a garage door closing on an apartment building parking lot…
"Driver? Roll to the right...the little bastard just ducked into a garage." Mikari tapped her throat mike..."Assam? I have one of them trapped."
"I still have this other one chucking eggs at us! I'm so tempted to fire a flash bang round right now...Driver? Slow ahead…" Assam commanded.
"Commander?" Assam's loader beckoned. "They haven't called the match halt, we need to stop and worry about the enemy."
"You need to stick to your own business till I call you to help me spank the living guts out of these little pests." Assam replied upset. "I'll worry about our situation, thank you!"
2:46pm
Match Control Center
Captain Chourno
"Are you sure they're children?" Captain Chourno asked Darjeeling on the radio.
"My tank commanders are describing them as such but the descriptions are not positive." Darjeeling replied.
"Then until I have positive verification? The match continues. You need to calm those two down or make sure they get me a positive I.D…..Captain Chourno out.
2:47pm
Darjeeling's Churchill
Darjeeling threw switches on her radio set…."All tanks! This is the Commander. Everyone stop where they're at. Assam? Mikari? I want a firm identification on these juvenile delinquents if you'd please?"
2:47pm
Assam's Matilda
"That's what I'm trying to do my dear Commander!" Assam snapped back!
"Assam my dear? Lower your tone please? I know you're upset about your jacket but as the wise old saying of Sir Galahad cautions…."
Assam had only a brief look to her left as her Matilda passed the mouth of an alleyway between the wall of a home and a little Mom and Pop store to recognize the muzzle break of an assault gun not four feet away from the side of her tank….
"AHHHHH!" Was all she got out of her mouth when everything exploded!
2:48pm
The Assault 3
Saemonza snarled and pulled her trigger when Erwin screamed…."NOW!" and felt the Assault 3 lurch back as it's powerful anti-tank PAK gun recoiled from the muzzle blast!
"HIT! HIT! HAH! I GOT A FLAG! BOOM!" Erwin screamed with excitement! "Commander?! One down! We're moving!"
2:49pm
Mikari's Matilda
In an Apartment House Parking Area
Mikari watched as the garage door before her began to come up and a pair of shoes showed under the opening door bottom…
"You little brat! Think this was funny huh?! You could have been hurt! I am "SO" going to lay a rod into your butt you little miscreant! Ugh! I'm so damn mad right now!"
Mikari bounded off the Matilda looking to grab hold of her target and watched as the head and face came into view…
It was Norioko…..and she was giving back a wickedly evil smile….
"Bye bye my dear." Norioko said waving her fingers…."VOLLEYBALL!" Norioko screamed!
"SPIKE!" The team in the Type 89 replied before they unleashed a point bland anti-tank round right into the butt of the Matilda from a raised parking platform behind it!
Mikari froze for a moment as Norioko popped a piece of beef jerkey into her mouth..."Boy?! That sounded brutal huh?"
Mikari looked at her burning Matilda and screamed…."YOU DIRTY CHEAT! LADY DARJEELING! WE'VE BEEN HIT! CHECKING THE DAMAGE NOW! DAMN IT!"
2:49pm
Assam's Matilda
"Lady Darjeeling….Assam….we're dead. Their Assault 3 ambushed us. We failed you."
2:50pm
Darjeeling's Churchill
"Shatter!" For the first time ever….Darjeeling, the Commander of Saint Gloriana, their best Commander in the schools' illustrious history of Sensha-do….dropped her tea cup to the floor of her tank where it shattered to pieces!
The others around her looked at her with worry...never had they been so ruthlessly ambushed and with so great an ease...and never by a team who only just started getting into the martial art.
But her face displayed not disappointment nor upsetness of any kind. Rather? It was respect.
She began to clap…."Masterfully conducted. Everyone give our opponents applause for their pluck and audacity...and someone get me another tea please?"
Darjeeling grabbed her hand mike, set her radio switches then key'd it..."Very masterful there Commander of Oarai...my compliments. Now let us see if your luck holds out shall we?"
"Oh Assam? What is the status of your tank over?" Darjeeling asked.
Assam replied. "They trashed the spare gas tank on our rear but they didn't penetrate our armor! We're up and ready!"
"And your attacker?" Darjeeling asked.
"Right behind us and they can't get out. Plus? They're still celebrating." Assam replied.
Darjeeling smiled placidly..."Please kill them my dear."
2:50pm
The Type 89
The crew of the Type 89 were still jumping and yelling with glee over their victory when Shinobu the driver looked through her driver view portal and "Gasped" with shock!
"THEY'RE NOT DEAD! THERE'S NO FLAG!" She screamed out!
Norioko grabbed her view scope and slapped Akebe on her shoulder! "THERE'S A ROUND IN THE GUN! FIRE! SHINOBU! HIT EM WITH THE MACHINE GUN! QUICK!"
The Type 89 unleashed it's main gun and it's coaxial machine gun on the rear of the tough armed Matilda...their ineffective hits gave Assam chuckles…
"Bye bye my dears." Assam said calmly as she tapped her gunner's shoulder. "Let them have it!"
"KABOOM!" The Matilda's main gun fired at point blank range and threw the poor Type 89 off its' tracks where it bounced into the wall behind it and ended up on its' side!
2:50pm
The Assault 3
Erwin turned her periscope as she beckoned to Oryou…."Go down this side alley coming up! Stick to the narrow side roads….Their tanks can't fit in here."
"We could get ourselves trapped in here Erwin." Oryou replied.
"We just keep moving!" Erwin snarled. "We have the advantage because we sit a lot lower than the enemy tanks! If we can close the distance and get under their guns, we can nail em!"
Caesar suddenly "Gasp'd" as a realization hit her in the brain..."THE FLAGS!"
"KAWHAM!" Something slammed into the side of the Assault Three and sent the tank crashing sideways into a wall where it's white flag pipped out of the top!
"UGH!" Erwin groaned as she struggled to grab her radio mike..."DAMN IT!" She yelled into it. 'Commander Nishizumi! Assault Three is dead! We forgot the flags on our tank! We were so stupid! It's my fault!"
2:53pm
The Panzer IV
"DAMN IT! Commander Nishizumi! Assault Three is dead! We were so stupid! It's my fault!" Erwin's voice cracked over the radio!
"This is Norioko! Forgive us Commander! The Type 89 is down! We failed to destroy that Matilda!
Saiori looked up at Miho..."We're the only tank remaining."
"Big deal." Yukari said. "We're still well loaded with rounds, we know Oarai, they don't! let's kick their ass!"
Miho punched a fist into a hand. "Keep us moving Mako! Everyone, keep your eyes on a swivel, call out the enemy as you see them and listen to what I tell you!" Miho scrambled up through the Commander's hatch! "For better or worse! Let's take the fight right down their throat!"
Mako threw the Panzer IV into gear and the tank jumped to its' highest speed, whipping hard around the the corners of the thin Japanese streets!
"Mako! You're going to make us crash into stuff!" Saiori warned as she held on for dear life!
"Nag, Nag, Nag….Do you work for the DMV?" Mako replied sleepishly. "Miho? I'm making an educated guess but we should be closing in on their flanks in about….."
"CRASH!"
The Panzer IV slammed into and threw a Matilda Tank into a house facade!
"Oops." Mako said. "I underestimated."
"YUKARI FIRE!" Miho snapped! "The 75mm main gun barked and slammed a round into the Matilda's engine block!
"Frup!" Up went its' knock out flag!
"Mako! Back out!, back out! Back out! YIPE!" Miho dropped into the turret just as the remaining two Matildas' and the Churchill cut loose at it with their own main guns!
Mako skillfully weaved the tank side to side while she drove it backwards to defeat the incoming shots! "Time to play street slalom." She snickered as she backed through an alley, broke onto a wider road and spun the tank around!
"Here kitty, kitty….come get mouse-eee." Mako said as she waited for the Gloriana tanks to show themselves! When they came flying around a street corner to the rear...Mako threw the Panzer IV into full gear and began a crazy speed chase through the center of town!
If the loss of all but one of Oarai's tanks could cause the entire town of Oarai to sink into depression….it didn't! Throngs of people were on the sidewalks screaming and waving things in their hands as the Panzer IV raced by them with St. Gloriana hot on their tail!
"DON'T QUIT!"
"DRAG THEM INTO THE JURAI DISTRICT!"
"KEEP GOING! DON'T STOP! BEAT THEM!"
The Panzer IV
3:15pm
Saiori turned to Miho…."MIPORIN?! THE WHOLE TOWN'S BEHIND US!"
"Disappointing them isn't an option!" Hanna yelped! "We can still win this Nishizumi! Do it!"
Miho looked through her view ports behind her to see Saint Gloriana's tanks splitting up!
"They're going to try and vice us in! Mako! Jump into the side roads again and do your best to confuse them! Yukari, Hanna?! You're going to have to be real fast on the ball with the turret and the gun...we must get in the first and the last shots up close and personal with these guys!"
Genshishinshu Temple, Oarai Town
3:15pm
The crew of the Assault 3 jumped off the back of a construction worker's truck and stopped quickly to thank her….
"Thank you Miss!" The girls said with bows before they ran to climb one of the trees on the temple grounds where most of the other Oarai girls were standing or sitting on branches sharing naval spyglasses or binoculars, watching the action below in the town….
"YOU CAN DO IT NISHIZUMI!" Caesar screamed! "COME ON THE REST OF YOU! CHEER THE PAZNER IV ON!"
Oryou was looking through a spyglass..."She's got Gloriana chucking up their breakfast I bet with all this crazy running around she's doing! GO PANZER IV!"
"Confound, Confuse then kill. She certainly is grossly eclectic." Erwin snickered.
Norioko and the team from the Type 89 arrived..."Is the Panzer IV still in the match?!" She asked Erwin who was standing on a tree branch….
"Without doubt! This is truly the Von Schlieffen plan!" Erwin yelped!
"No!" Caesar huffed. "It's Caesar's plan at the Battle of Vosges!"
"Certainly it is Lord Nishijiro's plan at the battle of Kamakura!" Cheered Saemonza!
Oryou quoted with an upraised finger. "No...it is Alexander's plan at the Battle of Issus."
The whole Assault 3 team cried out….."THAT'S RIGHT!"
3:24pm
Darjeeling's Churchill
Darjeeling was being thrown around as she struggled to hang onto her Commander's hatch ring while her tank weaved through the narrow streets and around the corners trying to close in on the "pesky Panther". At one point, she almost crashed into one of her Matildas! The other tank swerved to miss its' Commander only to crash through and bring down a small one story house!
3:27pm
Central Reviewing Stands
Oarai athletic field
"YES! YES! BATTA BANG! BATTA BING!" Old Mister Nakajiro Kojei boasted as he danced about and annoyed his neighbors! 'A FREE HOUSE! UGH! I LOVE THAT CORNER!"
"Kojei?! Sit down and shut up you old fool, you're distracting us from the match!" A woman cracked with a pointing finger!
"OH NO! LOOK!" A young girl screamed as she pointed to the big viewing screen on the field! "The Panzer IV's in a dead end!"
3:30pm
The Panzer IV
"MAKO! BACK UP! BACK UP!" Miho beckoned with worry as the Panzer IV had trapped itself on a narrow street with a dead end! No sooner had Mako spun the tank around, the Panzer IV's path became blocked by the rest of Gloriana's tanks!
3:32pm
Darjeeling's Churchill
Darjeeling stood atop her turret and gave Miho a slight bow and a hand gesture showing deference and respect….
"A valiant effort my dear. We commend and respect your skill but obviously as the old English Bard would proclaim..."Dear rabbit, the fate is sealed." We offer you to surrender."
3:34pm
The Panzer IV
Miho nodded back..."Here in Oarai they have a saying…."If the fish won't quit? Get your club." Sorry….I refuse to surrender."
Hanna gave Darjeeling her reply! She pulled the trigger on the 7mm gun and sent a round into the bull nose of the Churchill where it glanced off with a loud "PLANG!"
3:35pm
Darjeeling's Churchill
Darjeeling didn't even flinch…."So under whelming of you. All tanks? Fy…."
3:36pm
The scene was suddenly broken by something that crashed through the wall of a house, broke through the front yard border wall and spun into the street between the Panzer IV and the Gloriana tanks!
It was the 38-T of the Student Counsel!
3:37pm
The 38 T of the Student Counsel
"HELLO! THE CAVALRY HAS ARRIVED!" Anzu yelped! "NAIL EM IN THE FACE MOMO-CHAN!"
"DIE YOU BASTARDS!" Momo screamed as she pulled her trigger!
And…...Momo missed…..oops.
"Ummmm? You missed again Momo-Chan." Anzu chirped.
"STOP CALLING ME MOMO-CHAN!" Momo cried out!
3:38pm
The Gloriana tanks turned their attention to the bothersome 38 T and blasted it to a wreck!
3:39pm
The Panzer IV
"MAKO! GO,GO,GO!" Miho screamed as Mako threw the Panzer IV into a fast forward jump!
"CRASH!" The Panzer IV forced itself past a Matilda and was going past the Gloriana's and down the street before they could turn their turrets!
"Tank Slalom again. Boy are we having fun now!" Mako snickered from her seat. "What's your orders Commander?!"
"Back through the streets again Mako!" Miho replied as she looked around her Commander hatch view ports. "We're going to lead them into a trap and I know a perfect street to do it on!"
Miho could see the Churchill and the Matilda's once again giving a closing chase upon their pray…
"That's it." Miho said to herself. "Follow the poor little fox you guys but don't forget...a foxs' teeth can be sharp little needles."
At last, the Panzer VI turned onto the street Miho chose for her closing attack plan and as she hoped….the Gloriana tanks turned off a side street for a hopeful intercept ahead!
"OK!" Miho yelped. "MAKO! TAKE A SHARP RIGHT AT THE END OF THE STREET AND HUG THE WALL TO YOUR RIGHT! YUKARI! HANNA! GET READY, THOSE SHELLS HAVE TO COME REAL FAST!"
Yukari threw an armored piercing shell down the barrel and locked the breech! "SHELL UP!"
"READY HERE!" Hana shouted as she stayed glued to her aiming telescope!
The Panzer IV made it to the end of the street, swerved hard to the right and sped to hug a high wall!
Miho counted to herself the whole time, estimating when a Gloriana tank would appear at the end of the wall….sure enough! A Matilda came blindly charging ahead and showed it's vulnerable left flank to the speeding Panzer IV!
"HANNA! FIRE!" Miho screamed!
The Panzer IV slid to a dead stop at point blank range to the Matilda's side and it's 75mm main gun barked a shell into the Matilda's turret!
Miho screamed out! "HIT! FLAG! MAKO! ADVANCE!"
Mako threw the Panzer IV into high gear and drove around the knocked out Matilda! She quickly spun the Panzer IV around on its tracks and drove it back towards the knocked out matilda just in time to catch the Matilda that was trying to get past its' twin!
"HANNA! FIRE!" Miho screamed!
Again the Panzer IV's gun barked and again! Another hit! Another dead tank!"
3:48 pm
The Oarai Girls
Genshishinshu Temple, Oarai Town
"ARGH! YEAH! YEAH! EAT THOSE TEA AND CRUMPETS YOU STUCK UP BRITS!" Erwin screamed out! THEY ONLY HAVE THEIR CHURCHILL LEFT!"
The girls were going crazy! Momo almost pulled Yuzu with her out of the tree they were standing in she was so excited! "GO NISHIZUMI! DO IT! KILL THEIR LAST TANK!"
Norioko led her vollyball team members in a roaring chant! "SPIKE! SPIKE! SPIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!…"
Soon all the Oarai girls were chanting..."SPIKE! SPIKE! SPIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!…"
3:48 pm
The Panzer IV
Miho knew the Churchill would just plow through its' damaged team mates and as it did, she ordered Hanna to fire once more!
But the round was ineffective. Glancing off the Churchill's tough turret even at near point blank range!
"MAKO! GET US OUT OF HERE FAST! ZIG ZAG!" Miho ordered Maho to back up quick and throw the Panzer IV into a wild weaving shimee as the Churchill tried to hit it with its' main gun!
Mako growled sleepishly..."We have to duck under their main cannon and hit them right in the turret ring. We have no other option, their armor is too tough."
Yukari threw an armored piercing shell down the breech..."ROUND UP!"
"Everybody hang on to your panties...Hanna? Aim true girl." Mako said as she threw the gears and spun the treads!
Miho clenched her teeth! "Mako?! Hanna?! I trust you a hundred percent! Let's end this!"
End of Chapter 2
