The days of strenuous training and time crunch's continued unabated as the cadets of Transcendence did their best to perform. As the day of their match approached a sense of familiarity settled.
Once again they were given the day off before the match to rest and recuperate. From there Virtanen, Kaiser, and other staff went about organizing last-minute details. Thankfully their newfound guests behaved themselves during their stay and as an extra measure of security, would be dragged along to spectate the match. This conclusion was drawn by Virtanen after being informed by Kaiser of their devious reputation.
Kaiser's only respite was that they would be settled in a train car with other student spectators. This wasn't to say they didn't have any other worries aside from their opponent. O'Diveley and his squad were to have their first official debut.
It was suggested they be held back for another match as a surprise but it was countered by the argument that they needed to make use of all available assets. After all, if they lost what use would concealing an extra squad do? They were skilled as any other but rather unorthodox, to say the least. With their addition, they would even the numbers and provide a valuable force with their tank destroyers and light tanks.
The Puma and its crew meanwhile still had training to catch up on and so would wait till the next match. If they succeeded that is.
On that day off, repairs were made, information logged, and the cadet's rested while the student body excitedly prepared to show their support the following day. Soon enough morning came but far earlier than usual. Still slick with moisture and no sunrise the cadets started their cold engines and moved them to offload.
There was no parade in those early hours. No cheers or hurrahs were thrown. Instead, they proceeded down to the dock through the quiet streets. Some of the more elderly waved as they passed along with the occasional awestruck child who could not sleep. The owner of a grocery store even waited at a corner to pass small boxes of refreshments to the crews as they came.
The match was to take place on a high mountainous terrain. Having to move from the nearest port required the students to wake early and load their vehicles onto the train cars that would deliver them as high and close to the starting points as possible. While they were loading onto the cars to leave, all spectators would be boarding and unboarding civilian trains that would be cycling through the stations throughout the day.
With their school's loyalty and Oarai's popularity, they were sure o have a high turnout despite the remote location. The expectations did little to shake off the grogginess apparent on the crews.
Kaiser and O'diveley were quick to bark orders and hurry them along with strapping the vehicles onto the platforms when a loud crash was heard. All heads turned now wide awake to see the Chaffee from O'Diveley's squad had shifted into the wrong gear and slipped off its train car. Damaging itself and the platform slightly. O'Dively had changed from his happy-go-lucky self to being on top of the Chaffe and chastising the crew inside harshly. Kaiser meanwhile hurried to call maintenance to come assist as all cadets tensed, hoping not to make any more mistakes.
Thankfully still at port, they were able to amend the damage and quickly move the Chaffee and load it correctly. Despite the unintended delay they were still on time and left promptly.
The smooth countryside of the port and its coastline gave way to thick vegetation as they rose in elevation. By no means a short trip, it gave stunning views as valleys, crags, and rocky mountain tops came and went. A thick layer of fog came and dissipated only to be replaced by sporadic, low-lying clouds.
The anticipation aboard the train rose as expected. Chatter filled the cars as pamphlets with information were passed and the vehicle commanders were briefed one last time. The usual pairs sat amongst each other in their teams with few alterations. Kaiser found himself in the company of the Prokovs, Valerya prying into his personal life as Natalya refrained to focus on the upcoming event.
Knight shared a seat with Frost although their teams sitting behind them and simultaneously fawning and teasing them left them no time to focus or intimacy. Virtanen was up and around, pacing down the car as his nerves wore on him. Kaiser had advised him to get some rest before they arrived to no avail.
Finally arriving at their last stop they began tediously unloading their vehicles. Doing so a train or two of spectators came and went, taking buses to the designated viewpoint. The cadets exchanged waves with the bystanders as they passed until another train arrived.
Oarai had come and begun unloading their vehicles as well. The remoteness of the area and their time delay had led to them meeting early and the cadets to consciously try to retain some professionalism in front of their foes by focusing on their work and ignoring the bystanders.
Virtanen and Kaiser who had been overseeing the offloading glanced over at the groups of girls hopping into their vehicles to offload. The Oarai students were far more relaxed than their cadets and meandered to their vehicles while eyeing Transcendence in kind.
Feeling no need for discretion as the cadets did, the Oarai girls looked intently at the uniformity and urgency at which they operated. Kaiser and Virtanen eyed the newly arrived train and its cargo, seeing the vehicles as well as one notably covered in a tarp with unfamiliar faces approaching it. Next to them was the Panzer IV and a few figures standing around it.
Knowing who they must be the two boys turned to face their soon-to-be enemies and greeted them. Virtanen raised a hand to wave as Kaiser gave a tip of his cover. They received three friendly waves in return along with Saori struggling to use Mako as a puppet to wave along. At least from what they could tell. The girls all had varying hairstyles that made it easy enough to differ.
Returning to their team, the commanders were reassured that this match had no hidden animosity. The sun had already broken the far-off horizon and began its steady climb as they made the half-hour drive to the viewing area with Oarai not too far behind.
The Senshado federation had gone above and beyond with the staging area. In the small area between two low peaks sat the multiple screens and bleachers with a couple of hundred spectators. As there were no tracks for the usual large monitor, a large screen had been pieced together after being delivered by vehicle. Just behind the screen was a cliff with an astounding view spanning miles into the distance.
Here the audience was safe from any stray shells and was treated to a pleasant view. As the audience milled about, Transcendence lined their vehicles in a single column to the right of the road. Soon after, Oarai would do the same on the left, their tared vehicle still covered and being towed. Both teams of students would sit atop their vehicles idly chatting amongst themselves while eyeing their opponents ten meters away as time ticked by.
Finally, the commanders were called up. Miho and Virtanen stood before their audience and shook hands, exchanging a formal courtesy as the announcer directed them to return to their teams and take their starting places. Returning to the same road the two walked in awkward silence. Virtanen was unsure if he should strike up a conversation or outpace her and return first. Luckily, halfway back to their columns, they saw Kaiser, Knight, Yukari, and Hana.
"What are you doing up here?" the two asked in unison to their peers.
Hana was the first to answer. "It seems we all wished to speak with each other somewhat," she said, placing a hand on her cheek.
Kaiser nodded. "Seems we all had something we wanted to say before facing each other."
"Where's Saori and Mako?" asked Miho.
Hana smiled. "Someone had to Make sure Mako remained awake."
Virtanen chuckled at the exchange. "Well then, let's hear what we have to say. It wouldn't do for our teams to see us and feel as if their anxiety was wasted."
The boys nodded along with the girls who gave polite smiles. Hana stepped forward, standing tall and confidently speaking. "As the student council president, It is with pleasure that we face you today. We hope to show you our best and see your school's Senshado in its fullest."
With a small bow, she gestured to Yukari who fumbled with her fingers for a moment. "Ah, erm, this was supposed to be Saori's comment. Not that it isn't sincere from us all, but! Um! We look forward to facing you and your tanks!" she then gave a bow that was a little too deep to show her sincerity and hide her fluster.
Miho gave a small chuckle at her friends. As eyes shifted to her she explained just why they were giving such formal words. "Sorry, but we're excited to see you all in action. You're the first fully co-ed team in the league aside from Pravda. I guess we're all a little excited".
The three boys had never thought of it before. Exchanging surprised looks they realized just how intriguing it must have been for other schools to see them. Knight gave an embarrassed smile as Virtanen chuckled and Kaiser smirked. The earnest expectations of their opponents were a pleasant surprise.
To the surprise of all, Knight stepped forward to speak next. "We'll be sure, not to disappoint you," he said, firmly extending a hand outward. Hana eyed him for a moment before giggling and shaking it.
Kaiser followed suit reaching toward Yukari. "I look forward to seeing how fierce you are on the battlefield, Ms. Akiyama."
Yukari awkwardly shook his hand with a weak laugh. "Perhaps you could reign it in a little?"
Kaiser gave a small grin. "Done some research on me, I see. Perhaps we should call you Sergeant Oddball."
Yukari wilted at his teasing. "P-please don't."
Miho and VIrtanen laughed at the taunt and turned to each other. Towering above Miho who unflinchingly stared at him, Virtanen offered his hand. With a firm grasp, she shook. With a bright smile, Virtanen gave his formal declaration. "No one here is an enemy but we all must play the protagonists and antagonists to each other. Let's see how this story will play out."
With a confident fire in her eyes, Miho simply gave a nod and a single shake. The two groups then split off. The taller boys headed down first while Oarai followed at a distance.
Kaiser snickered at Virtanen. "So when are you going to thank me and stop asking me for quotes?"
Virtanen nudged him in the ribs. "Thanks, and it won't be for some time" he chuckled. "More importantly they seemed determined. I don't know if they're more of a threat with or without something on the line."
Kaiser gave a hum as he thought aloud. "Danger is danger, regardless of the level. Though it was entertaining to speak with them my mind is on that tarped tank they have and their new crew. They weren't in Oarai's last match."
"Too late to look into it now, we'll know it when we see it, I'm sure" responded Virtanen unconcerned.
"We'll be sure to give 'em hell Sir!" added Knight energetically.
"Seems they stoked a fire within Knight as well" Virtanen cheerfully noted.
"Let's hope he doesn't embarrass himself or us," said Kaiser, dousing the boy's spirit slightly.
A slap on the back from Virtanen distracted him from the jab. "Don't mind him, he's just making sure your head isn't in the clouds."
"Think what you want, Just know we don't make the same mistakes twice in Transcendence" scolded Kaiser.
Without an outright refusal, Knight took Virtanen's words as truth despite the harsh response from Kaiser. Stopping at attention and giving a salute, a prompt "Yes Sir!" erupted from Knight who sprinted to his vehicle as if a fire was lit under him.
Kaiser frowned, unsure of how to feel at the lack of usual timidity or fear that came from the boy. Not ten minutes earlier he had been vibrating within his tank as usual. Perhaps he should be proud of the sudden growth. Yet he felt worried was the proper emotion at the moment as a motivated Knight was so rare it was an unknown factor.
Even Virtanen, behind his casual smile, showed a tinge of worry as he watched their subordinate off.
Soon every engine was started and the two teams split at a fork in the path. Many of the cadets relaxed, breathing in the mountain air as they sat outside their tanks on the way. It seemed their nerves had settled somewhat upon seeing they had a numbers advantage against Oarai.
Even with the mystery vehicle they brought, Oarai only had ten vehicles present. For the first time, the numbers advantage was with them and their fifteen vehicles. Kaiser and Virtanen spoke on a private line and agreed on their own interpretation. Oarai had defeated much larger schools with far less in both material and experience before. Despite their new funding and success they only had one new crew and vehicle. It was because they had focused on reaping a quality team that harmonized with their veteran members.
As usual, they kept this to themselves to not fray any nerves, but that only worsened Virtanen's worries more. The only comfort to him was that Kaiser assured him the new vehicle was certainly a more modern model, fast, and without a doubt, a heavy-hitting cannon. Strange as it may be, having some semblance of what was to come was better than being in the dark.
Kaiser meanwhile was scanning over his maps, filled with red markings and symbols. He had deduced Oarai's vehicle capabilities based on their fighting style. They were reactionaries, quick on their feet but deadly in accuracy and firepower. They had pulled off kills with a Type 89B light tank and had even supped up their Porsche Tiger's engine to the point it outperformed most of their mediums.
With this, he knew they wouldn't deviate from their preferred balance of armor. But that is where things became complicated. Transcendence had heavy vehicles and multiple turret-locked tank destroyers. With this environment namely large hills and congested mountain paths, Virtanen, Knight, and O'Diveleys vehicles would perform best. The first two comprising of mediums and the latter of light tanks and TDs.
Kaiser and Sokolov on the other hand were disadvantaged. Kaiser's heavy tanks were slow and cumbersome on the thin trails whereas Sokolov's vehicles were all hull locked.
With this in mind, the team would be split in two. The first was the main force. Virtanen as the flag tank would be accompanied by his squad, Knights squad, and O'Diveleys Chaffee and Achilles as scouts. The second team would be Kaiser accompanied by Sokolov's tank destroyers and O'Diveley as their sole scout in his M18 Hellcat.
The strong point in this field of combat were two glaring white lines, thick and prominent on the map in his hands. A set of roads that skirted the mountainside for an indefinite distance, rising and declining in elevation. Multiple smaller roads such as the ones they were using to approach their starting point shot off from them. The key part of these parallel lines was a series of convergence points.
The two roads would meet, connecting every so often, and split once more with the topography. Controlling these would be vital. With their slower speed, the plan was to have a prominent force on both sides.
Kaiser predicted that Oarai would either overcommit or fully commit their forces to one road, expecting to engage and whittle them down while displacing and repeating their ambush tactic. The planned counter was their formations. The scouts would signal an enemy presence and once the main Oarai force was found the other half would come to support.
If Kaiser's force was engaged they would bog down their fleet-footed opponents until Virtanen and the mediums took the crossroads behind Oarai and encircled them on the road with its steep cliffs. This was preferable and the expected option as Kaiser expected them to try and do away with his squad as Pravda had.
In the instance that Virtanen's force was attacked then Kaiser would dispatch O'Diveley to scout ahead while he followed to take the crossroads. Virtanen would fall back to their previous convergence point while Sokolov would try to provide covering fire from across the way. Once Oarai was trapped in the road between Kaiser's point and Virtanen's, they would slowly close the noose on their enemy.
Of course plan's are always theory and limited data. Kaiser had little hope that it would survive first contact. If that was to happen, he had a few ideas prepared in case. He had withheld these even from Virtanen to not hear any bickering.
As a split in the road emerged, Virtanen and Kaiser signaled each other and split off. The area between the two roads was mostly ravines and areas of lower elevation but every so often they would have high ridges separating them. For now, both commanders would receive no aid from the other.
Proceeding down the road O'dively's M18 remained half a click ahead scouting. As he consistently reported his observations, Kaiser eyed his surroundings. The road was big enough for his Tiger and then some but with the obscuring terrain to one side and thick trees and brush to the other. Pondering over the practicality of sending a vehicle past the trees he received an update from Virtanen.
"Used my Panther to knock down some trees off the side of the road. Our chaffee is patrolling the flank. Vegetation is thin past the road but still hard to maneuver, wouldn't recommend any sluggish or long-barreled vehicles".
As the voice cut out Kaiser dismissed his thought and prepared himself for the oncoming engagement. It was worrying that Oarai had many short-barreled vehicles, all lightweight. He hoped Virtanen realized that as well.
Another report came from O'Diveley this time. "Oi Kaiser just cleared the heights between the roads and got a sight of a few enemies already at the crossing. Looks like they're sending a few over our way, maybe half?"
Something was amiss. It wasn't to Kaiser's prediction which wasn't necessarily a fault but it was out of character for Oarai. Perhaps a feint?
"They caught wind of me! Can't stay around much longer!" O'Diveley shouted as fire exchanged.
"Pull back, we'll have you join us and then break through their hold on the crossing."
"Be right there!" came the reply.
Virtanen's force would reach the checkpoint before Kiaser's at this rate. If what O'diveley said was true then perhaps they would hold an elastic defense and pull back consistently while holding both roads. That was too cautious of Oarai as well. It didn't take long for their foe to show their hand.
On Virtanen's side, there was no sighting yet of Oarai. The first notice of their foe was gunfire to his right. The Chaffee that had been progressing to their right had fulfilled its purpose and spotted Oarai's Type 89B. Though in a superior light tank, the inexperienced crew was surprised and quickly dispatched.
They had barely reported their defeat as the Type 89B erupted from the tree line and landed amid Virtanen's formation just one vehicle behind him. The Type 89B proceeded to cause chaos as it attempted to maneuver amidst the much larger vehicles.
Dodging by a hairs breath from each of the long barrels and defiantly firing back with its small cannon it proceeded to dance about the congested road. Virtanen pushed ahead to the second position in the column to secure his flag tank's safety as the rear of the column swung their barrels around to deal with the intruder.
Virtanens 44m TAS and Knight's T-34-85 pinned the troublesome opponent. The former reversed and the latter accelerated to trap it between their vehicles. As the light tank tracks milled the earth beneath it in a vain attempt to escape The Firefly fired a single shot into the Type 89B's turret and silenced it.
Then hell broke loose. As the white flag erupted from the light tank a volley of five shots blasted through the treeline down at the column. To be precise, the 44m TAS and the T-34-85. Oarai's first objective had been achieved.
Virtanen's column had been ambushed and divided in two. With the three disabled vehicles acting as an impromptu roadblock Oarai continued firing down onto Transcendence. The Panther, Panzer IV, and Achilles were trapped ahead while the Firefly and ARL-44 were stuck behind.
Panic resumed in Virtanen's headset. "Diana here! I'm incapacitated!" she informed in frustration. "Sir! ARL and Firefly are stuck behind the disabled friendly's!" repeated Piper. "We can't stay here! We have to push forward and regroup!" suggested Knight.
Virtanen's moment of shock passed quicker than even he expected. "Knight move your Panzer to cover my side! Achilles pushes down the road and clears an evac route! ARL, Firefly, find a way past and meet with us!"
Each tank commander confirmed while firing back at Oarai who remained concealed on the rocky slope. The Achilles slowly straightened its turret as it sped down the road narrowly avoiding a shot that pursued it. Virtanen's Panther moved in sync with Knight's Panzer IV, his barrel looming over the smaller tank's turret as both aimed to their right and fired in retaliation.
More shots followed and luckily missed. Presumably, because Oarai was firing through the same thick brush that concealed them, blinded them.
As the fire on the ARL and Firefly dwindled due to their commander's escape, the two vehicles made their breakthrough. The Firefly tried to push their immobile friend out of the way but with little luck. As its tracks churned and shells landed around them Damian Frost radioed Piper. "We can't move it!" he shouted.
"Grit yer teeth!" she shouted back.
"What?!" he replied in confusion before lurching forward from the sudden jolt of the ARL-44 ramming into the back of his Firefly. Together the combined horsepower shifted the mass of wrecks ever so slightly. Meanwhile, the two fired back as the enemy fire intensified once more.
The seconds spent pushing felt gruelingly long as their enemy's shots sent chunks of stone cascading down atop them from the peaks splitting the road. Finally, they had cleared just enough of a path that they slipped through.
As they slipped past two vehicles emerged from the treeline. The Mark IV tank emerged ahead of the Firefly trying to block their path as it fired from its side while the Type-3 Chi-Nu went behind to pincer the two.
Without hesitation, both Damian and Piper gave split-second orders. The Firefly rammed the Mark IV. Pinning its barrel to its side as it was pushed against a tree. Its ally's fire was unable to hit the Firefly assailing it.
Piper's ARL reversed harshly, its transmission making a grinding sound that made her mechanics' mind crawl. Her vehicle hit the corner of the disabled Type 89B and slid it back into place to obstruct the Type-3 Chi-Nu who now had to reverse as its long barrel was stuck between the vehicle and the sharp slope.
The ARL then sped past the FIrefly who chased after them as they made their daring escape with Oarai firing after them.
Virtanen was informed of the surviving ARL and Firefly over the radio as another obstacle emerged. Emerging from a turn was a long stretch of road. Once his vehicle and the Panzer IV rounded the corner at full speed a single shot broke through the distance. The Achilles' right track came undone as it halted in front of the Panther.
All three vehicles scanned the distance for the shot and found nothing until the next flash. At the end of the road where it turned once more was a gentle slope of brush. From within a barrel poked out and fired down the way. The Achilles took another hit which luckily ricocheted.
Having found their mark all three vehicles lined up shots and fired at the brush. All three whistled past and landed in the soft dirt behind. A third shot emerged from the bushes pinging off the Panthers turret cheek.
Piper radioed in once more, telling him that they were soon closing the distance and unsure if Oarai was hot on their tail. Virtanen bit his lip, feeling pressured he ordered his crew and the Panzer IV to use their coaxial machine guns. The 7.92 Mauser belts raked the greenery back and forth until a spark was seen. Then again and again. Tracers began consistently bouncing off of the hull of their foe.
Virtanen gave the correction of aim and the order to fire once more. The three cannons fired. Two impacted short as one went wide to the right. The ambusher knew they were exposed and sought to reposition. A small cloud of exhaust became visible as its engine started once more.
Eager to not be pincered between Oarai's main force at his rear and their opponent holding them up the Panther and Panzer IV nestled behind the Achilles and began pushing it forward. The maneuver was reckless and stifled their aim with the consistent grinding but they were pushing forward nonetheless.
Their foe had repositioned to one side or the other, it must have used gasoline as opposed to diesel as its exhaust was no longer visible. They had to wait until it fired, exposing itself and retreating once more.
As they had closed half the distance the enemy did just that. In a grand show of teamwork, both the Panther and Panzer IV halted their advance as the shot erupted. Their enemy's shell landed true on the Achilles and left it disabled. But the Panther and Panzer who had stopped short had already ceased the jostling of their suspensions and had lined shots to the left and right of their enemy's prior position.
The Panzer's 75mm ran through the bush once more. The Panthers skimmed their foe, breaking its track. As their foe tried to retreat, they had not noticed and pulled backward at an angle. Uprooting some of their concealment in the process.
Both Virtanen and Knight's vehicles locked onto the side of the squat vehicle and fired simultaneously. They waited a moment but no longer. Both vehicles pushed the Achilles into a roadside ditch with a short apology over radio. Then proceed to the turn that their enemy had inhabited.
Cautiously they pushed and then took the turn. There they saw the culprit. It was Oarai's Stug III. It had used a thin line of bushes as concealment as it held the point of advance. They had almost succeeded as the ARL-44 and Firefly had just come about and were approaching the now-defunct Achilles.
"Knight, take point, we can argue over who got the kill later" jested Virtanen.
"Yes sir!" responded Knight as his vehicle pushed onward. The Panther followed at a distance while the Firefly took up the rear and the ARL with its larger frame took up the Panther's left. Soon the tall ridge that separated the two main roads would disappear into an open expanse.
Piper and Damian meanwhile, were busy filling his ear with their observations on Oarai's new tank. "It was fast with a square chassis" reported Damian. "It must have been german."
"No, its muzzle brake didn't seem right for a german tank" countered Piper.
"That thing was at least a 75!" shot back Damian.
Virtanen wasn't too keen on listening further nor leaving himself exposed on the left, especially with Oarai's aces in pursuit. He made a quick call to his ally on the other side.
"Kaiser, this is Virtanen. Do you copy?"
"Expect me to say Lima Charlie?" retorted Kaiser.
Virtanen snorted. "Loud and clear is fine, or a yes would suffice. We've taken four casualties on our side. Me, Knight, Piper, and Damian Frost are still up. We've taken out Oarai's Type 89B and Stug while breaking out of their ambush. We're pushing north, past the ridge that separates us and towards the first crossroads. Could a use some assistance."
"We'll see what I can do."
"You telling me you're being held up by two tanks?"
"You can count! I'm proud of you" mocked Kaiser. "No, it's more of a matter of speed. If we could rendezvous with you without Oarai catching you at the crossroads first I would but the heavys are struggling at the moment. But I do got an idea to ease them off your tail."
"I'll look forward to it." With that Virtanen ended his call and returned to watching his surroundings. His crew was hyper-focused on their tasks. No longer did they look back with unsurety. They had grown as he had and both he and they knew they could rely on support from their vice commander.
-End Chapter-
