"Aghhh, dammit!" shouted the commander of the Comet. A redhead with sharp features and her trademark grin absent. They had been sent back by Transcendenc's KV-85 and were damaged without even being able to do much.

She cast a questioning glance at her loader and RO who unfortunately shook their heads. The damage they had sustained was a hit to the hydraulic traverse system for their turret. Though they tried to repair it on the go, nothing could be done without new parts or repairs that would take too long.

Fortunately, their manual system still worked, although it was abysmally slower. Their initial role in the ambush was successful yet their dedicated task of breaking the Panther's defense failed. Now they were even less useful. It pained the proud girl but their performance spoke of their skill. She radioed their status to commander Nishizumi.

It shouldn't have surprised her anymore but it always did. Miho was calm and understanding, not willing to dwell on failures, and took to finding countermeasures or solutions.

'Good job, reconnoiter with us and well advance to intercept their flag tank.'

Simple, implicit instructions and no words of criticism. She had grown used to such things in sports but never here, never with Oarai.

It was strange and very contradictory to the well-known rumors. 'The Nishizumi child, through strict training and unwavering loyalty led Oarai to victory. Stoic and unshakeable as her family is known she whipped her team into shape and made a force to reckon with.

The truth was astoundingly different. Yet the results were indistinguishable. They were a force to reckon with, they were loyal to her as well. Yet this New school was trading blows with them. Some had taken to calling their Comet a 'secret weapon' something she accepted at the time but now felt it was a bitter standard.

She and her team would follow Miho's orders unquestioningly and were eager to prove that her faith was not misplaced. Thankfully their speed was not impacted and that was their main weapon.

Miho meanwhile was not thinking so deeply over the failure of the Comet. Instead, she had expected it or to be precise, taken failure into account. It was her job to take all possibilities and risks into account and perspective. Something her opponents seemed capable of doing just as well. It was worrying.

They had been diverted but Transcendence didn't seem adamant on encircling them on this road or pursuing them. 'It must be their Heavys. They must be trying to reconvene and strengthen their defense now that we don't hold the element of surprise.'

"Something on your mind Miho?" asked Saori with a tinge of worry.

"A-ah" she responded shaking her head. "Just thinking about our next move."

"We are in a spot of trouble, aren't we?" asked Hana.

"Not to worry, we'll follow your orders to a T!" grinned Yukari.

Miho laughed with her friends before passing on new orders. She reshuffled their column before going at max speed down the road with the Comet joining them. Now their speed would be detrimental to the next phase of combat. She worried that the Panther would cross the valley and undo their progress of thinning its protection.

Hopefully, the ex-pres and the Hetzer could prevent that, though to say they were at a disadvantage was putting it very lightly. They had given an assuring response but every second counted. With the comet speeding at the rear, all vehicles shifted gears and sped as fast as they could while maintaining formation.

Transcendence POV

Kaiser's column had pulled a temporary halt, resting on the side of the road as he and other crews scurried about unloading supplies. They had little time, not enough in fact and so Kaiser would have to alter his plan once more after the exchange of supplies was finished.

Tossing his personal effects to the side he prepared to exit the Tiger as he called for Westhoffen. "Help unload the gear in the rear, me and you are going to deliver it to Sokolov."

"Why me? Don't I need to be ready to peel out of here if we come under fire?"

"First off you're a man, I hope. Second, It's not exactly light. Now get out or I'll let the girls use you as external armor." Without another word, Kaiser was already outside opening the Rear storage box.

Westhoffen huffed at the threat disbelievingly. "His lies are getting worse." he scoffed, looking at the girls in the vehicle.

Belle shyly averted her eyes. "Well…"

"You have been rather grumpy lately" added Katya.

"It was my idea to use you as a meat shield" deadpanned Laura.

West was caught between offended and surprised. He squinted his eyes at the girls before clambering out his hatch with a grumble. The girls looked at each other in his absence and began giggling.

Belle brought a hand to her lips, stifling her laughter. "He's rather easy to mislead sometimes, isn't he?"

Katya nodded gleefully. "Not like the Vice-Commander. It's probably why he mentioned us, so we'd convince him. Although Laura I didn't think you'd go that far."

"What do you mean?" asked the raven-haired girl.

"Say you recommended it."

"I did" stated Laura bluntly.

Belle and Katya looked at each other and back to their friend.

"I'd tie him to the front myself"

Katya broke into laughter first which Belle followed. Laura let a small grin slip as she joined in.

Outside the vehicle, Kaiser had unloaded miscellaneous metal plates and small sets of tracks. He squatted atop the chassis, handing the parts to his assistant who laid them on the ground. West received each part and laid them neatly as he looked around.

Natalya's IS-1 was unloading a small piece of machinery and some strange spool of wire from the back of their vehicle. Sokolov's Stug IV began transferring shells from itself to the Pz sfl IVc which in turn was removing some large sets of cardboard from their boxy interior. The M18 meanwhile did some rounds patrolling from one side of the road to the other.

"What's all this then?" asked West as Kaiser hopped down. The two grabbed handfuls of the items and began walking them to the Stug. "And- Why's it so heavy?" he groaned trying to keep pace with Kaiser.

"Just be glad there's no explosive charge, that makes up a fourth of its weight" grunted Kaiser.

"What?" asked West in disbelief.

"You'll see in time, first we gotta assemble it. Had the Mechanic team set it up for us."

West eyed his commander with suspicion. "You're not gonna do anything that'll get us in trouble are you?"

Kaiser waved off the doubt. "No, no, this is just a more advanced take on another school's strategy. What I have in store later may, however."

West placed a palm against his face and hiked a thumb at the Tiger. "Just Make sure you don't go getting blown up again. The girls are still fearful every time you poke your head out the top."

Kaiser dusted his hands and sighed. "I'll keep that in mind. Good to know you care."

"Don't push it. Just don't want to be reminded how much more they like you over me." deflected West.

"Ever the pessimist" snickered Kaiser.

"You're one to speak."

"You're right, I meant nuisance."

"Hey!"

Kaiser ignored his indignant rebuke and pointed past him. "Chat later, We need to put this together fast. Then load it on the Stug and prepare it for immediate use.

The assembly went quickly as Kaiser left to deliver personal instructions to Sokolov by word of mouth alone. The reserved boy seemed uncomfortable with the orders as he nervously shook his head but Kaiser wouldn't take no for an answer.

With their first set of preparation set, the column was reorganized. The Stug in front, followed by the Tiger, IS-1, and the Pz sfl IVc. The M18 would keep a distance ahead to spot as the KV-85 would now spend its time catching up.

They were barely on schedule as they approached the next crossing. Barely visible from where their column stood was the intersection of the roads. Here the M18 cautiously scouted the Tiger, IS-1, and Pz sfl IVc watched the front.

Kaiser stood out his hatch keeping an ear out for the sounds of any engines on the far side of the road when Katya called his attention. "Sir, do you really think that will be of any use?

"Its only purpose is to be bait, Katya. Besides, I doubt we could use it again outside of this match once other schools see us use it. It would e better as a ghost weapon."

"Ghost weapon?"

"Make opponents think we have it or at least the capability of using it when in reality we don't have any intention. Its uses are limited as is unless I broke a few more regulations but seeing as I'm treading thin ice already I figure it is best don't get banned from the sport."

"You took a broken arm in a practice match and after everything with Pravda I don't think they'd dream of getting rid of you Sir" chimed Laura.

"That tool is as light as the mechanic team could get it after gutting it and removing the explosive charge which originally made a fourth of its weight" explained Kaiser.

Katya, Belle, and Laura looked back at him incredulously. Westhoffen simply snickered, as if it was expected.

Belle leased a nervous laugh. "Yeah, that would probably be the final line, Sir. At least you're learning restraint."

"It was tempting but Virtanen would never go for it, and it's reasonable to assume I'm pushing boundaries by using the Goliath this way" he acknowledged. Scanning the horizon, Kaiser glanced to see the small tracked vehicle assembled and started.

The finishing touch was a stroke of inspiration from Anzio. Cardboard cutouts of the Stug IV were assembled around the small vehicle as Sokolov and his RO connected the remote and its spool of wire.

O'Diveley returned to his M18 and prepared to advance. This may have been a waste of time but as Kaiser looked at the map in his hands an uneasy feeling settled in his mind as he stared at a small 'V' made in the thick lines showing the road. Just around the bend were two congruent turns before the intersection. If there was any trap set they were sure to know of their presence and would be waiting.

Hence this elaborate countermeasure was set. With the Stug IV set aside as its commander and RO operated the bait, the M18 and the rest of the column lined up to push. Kaiser could hear the sound of engines in the distance growing closer. Just on time.

The Goliath with its false silhouette of cardboard sped ahead as Sokolov unspun the spool of wire with his RO running the controls. It began to turn left when a single shot was fired. Taking their cue, the Goliath stopped in place as the round ripped through the cardboard. The M18 took off at full speed.

The Hetzer meanwhile had dug itself snugly into the small gully next to the road. With its barrel aimed up and hidden out of sight from the sharp turn, they were prepared for any incomers. Surely they would be able to slow down their opponents if not take two or more.

It took some time but their first target emerged. A low profile with a fixed gun came rattling forward. Anzu, Momo, and Yuzu may have noticed the strange detailing, the difference in its speed, or that the barrel wobbled had they been given time, but training took precedence as Anzu fired. The round struck true, ripping through the side, and unknown to them, out the back.

No smoke, no flag, It was strange as the vehicle stopped as well. Momo reloaded as Anzu prepared to fire again and Yuzu began shifting back. To their utter surprise, the Stug was ripped apart as the M18 emerged from behind it, its barrel swinging and knocking over the cardboard disguise. Both the M18 and Hetzer fired at each other. The M18 avoided a hit while the Hetzer luckily deflected the shot off its front plate.

The M18 began harassing the Hetzer, driving into it and out the gulley as Kaiser's column emerged. On the other side of the road, Virtanen's forces emerged, not stopping for anything as they passed the crossing uninhibited and further north.

Seeing Kaiser's forces the Hetzer pulled out the gulley and was able to outmaneuver the M18. Reversing its way to the crossroads while keeping the light tank at bay, reinforcements came in.

Oarai had accelerated as fast as they could and cleared their detour in record time. If nothing, their mechanic team deserved praise for overhauling their engines. With the timeframe having been utterly disrupted Kaiser rushed his next orders.

"Natalya with me!" the rest of you proceed as planned!"

The vehicles were already moving before their commanders responded. Oarai had merged onto the main road and was approaching the crossing, intent on pursuing Virtanen and keeping Transcendence separated.

While the Hetzer retreated onto the main road the Stug IV, M18, and Pz sfl IVc continued down their own path, seeking to reunite with Virtanen at the final crossroads which were far closer than any prior.

As the Hetzer turned to join its fellow vehicles while under fire it gained two surprise guests. The Tiger and IS-1 were now racing along within their ranks. Unable to fire in close proximity but also unable to be fired upon by any meaningful opponents as they were near the back.

In front of the MK IV and the Comet, either vehicle was unable to attack the two heavys as they barely kept pace. The former had no forward gun and the latter being able to meaningfully traverse its turret fast enough with the shifting vehicles without risking friendly fire.

The Panzer IV led their pursuit and could not fire to its rear with its allies so close, the same problem arose for the Prosche Tiger and Chi-Nu, while the Hetzer was hull locked. Only the B1 Bis's top turret could provide fire with its short barrel although it just ricocheted meaninglessly.

The Tiger and IS-1 faired no better as they had sown discord but were unable to eliminate any real threats as they were being repeatedly rammed and their barrels being redirected by the enemy's attacking their barrels.

Locked by any means of disabling each other and Oarai unwilling to stop its pursuit as it may mean their defeat without catching Transcendence's flag tank, the race continued on.

Audience POV

The cool mountain air tempered the nail-biting tension of the crowd as they watched yet another thrilling bout on screen. Many had predicted that the match would have been one-sided for either team due to the unfavorable terrain.

Arguments of "Transcendence's heavys will never be able to maneuver" flew against counters of "Oarai's mobility is limited to the roads." Both claimed that firepower or mobility would be salvation or undoing. Any way the arguments and bets went, they were heavily influenced by the restrictive terrain and were bitterly critiqued by many.

Yet here, the two newest teams in the sport were putting all they had into their performance. Ingenuity and training shone through from Transcendence while Oarai continued their unprecedented record of high momentum combat and skill.

For the scouts sent by the Senshado federation to observe the match and the audience's initial reactions to the venue, this was exemplary evidence of how they had picked the right teams for this controversial environment.

Aside from the adults who were happily watching their jobs and profits remain secure with the dedicated faces of their audience, a more innocent and sympathetic crowd watched. Students from both schools along with families of the crews in combat watched in earnest worry, cheering for those close to them.

And among them, were three more teenagers, impartial as to who won but perhaps the most empathetic to those in the armored vehicles. Having finished the meal provided t them they were given refreshments and desserts as they watched. Aki thanked the students who provided the meal as she kept a cautious eye on Mika after her last thievery and Mikko who seemed nearly feral in protecting her portion.

As the girls watched the screens intently, Mikko was the first to speak up after already devouring half her plate. With a toothy grin, she asked aloud "Their drivers ain't half bad, I'm curious how the Tiger and IS-1's going to perform racing amidst Oarai's formation."

With the lingering sweetness in her mouth, Aki kept her spoon to her lips for a second as she pondered. "That's a good question. It's essentially up to the drivers and commanders since they can't fire."

Mika took a small bite of her dessert, refined movements showing as she did so, a glance at her plate however showed she had eaten just as fast as Mikko. "Two forces of nature clash and nothing will stay the same for long."

Mikko and Aki exchanged glances once more. Aki hummed to herself as she deciphered Mika's cryptics. "I suppose it would be wishful thinking that Oarai would just let them ride along with them, something's bound to change."

As if confirming her decryption, Mika strung a few chords. Mikko, sitting cross-legged and rocking side to side voiced her excitement. "Then their drivers will get to show what they're made of! Including those mechanics in the Porsche Tiger!"

Match POV

The sound of steel screeching and scraping as the mixed column raced down the constrictive road deafened those who were harbored within the metallic shells. Cannonfire only aided in disorienting those who were along for the ride such as the loaders and ROs while the gunner sought any opportunity to ease the chaos with a decisive blow.

The drivers, no matter what position their vehicle lay, had no easier time. Their performance held the fate of their crew and with the massive steel vehicles shifting about and limited visibility, they were giving admirable effort. It was arguable who had it worse, those in the rear of the fray who could see nothing but exhaust fumes or those in the front who were leading the chase but were blind as to what happened behind them.

Kaiser and Natalya's vehicles had certainly sown some discord but Oarai was quick to adapt. Both held faith in each other's capability, and the coordination between them was a remarkable feat to those watching the footage from the drone above.

The Chi-Nu rotated its barrel Counterclockwise to fire on the Tiger to its rear left. Kaiser caught the movement through his viewport and ordered West to shift gears, the momentary lapse in speed allowing them to avoid the shot. The Mark IV caught them by the rear and began forcing them to maintain speed.

The Chi-Nu reloaded as the B1-Bis continued firing at the Tiger's turret, it's 47mm cannon plunking harmlessly off the Tiger's turret. The Chi-Nu took aim once more and Natalya intervened. Her IS-1 used the length of its barrel to bat away the Chi-Nu's, throwing its shot high.

Kaiser soon returned the favor as the Comet sought to fire on the rear of the IS-1's turret. With an abrupt shift of his chassis, he nudged the IS-1 just enough that their turret avoided a hit to the rear.

The Comet slowly began shifting its aim left and right following Natalya's movement before shifting to aim at Kaiser. He noticed how long it was taking to move and with gracious opening sought to fend off the Chi-Nu. His 88mm shifted right, just enough to aim at the vehicle but not give the B1-Bis a soft target.

The B1-Bis countered by decelerating, the ensuing impact from the rear end causing their shot to deviate. The Mark IV took its chance and fired from a tight angle on its side gun at the IS-1. The restriction on its gun traverse threw two of its shots with one of the 57mm projectiles hitting the IS-1's side with little effect.

Oarai couldn't dislodge their troublesome foe. The Panzer IV and Porsche Tiger, unable to aid their allies coordinated a counter over radio and executed it with terrifying precision.

It all happened in a moment. The comet drove behind the Mark IV and both accelerated, pushing the Tiger forward. The Chi-Nu then hit its brakes, causing the IS-1 to ram them and decelerate harshly.

The Comet then masterfully broke off from the Mark IV's rear and clipped the back right side of the IS-1 as the Chi-Nu shifted right. The two collisions diverted the IS-1 into following the Tiger.

Now both Kaiser and Natalya were on the left side of the road with three opponents to the rear. The B1 Bis then shifted to the road's right side, clipping the Hetzer that had been too low profile to see. The Hetzer spun one hundred eighty degrees firing a wild shot at the Tiger which bounced off its side.

Ludicrously, the small tank destroyer was now driving backward before being rammed by the B1 Bis again and correcting itself. The Panzer IV then drove along the roadside burm, falling next to the Hetzer as the vehicles that had fallen behind were now pushing them ahead.

All this within a matter of seconds. Kaiser had caught onto their intention of throwing him and Natalya ahead to eliminate them. It was as the Porsche Tiger tried to follow the Panzer IV he intervened.

With a harsh collision, his Tiger occupied the center of the road, grinding sides against the Porsche Tiger fighting to free itself and allow its allies to fire. Kaiser's direction guided Westhoffen who struggled to maintain the tenuous position.

Natalya's IS-1 was safe momentarily behind them with the Mark IV obstructing any shots to it but if they gave just an inch, they would receive a fateful blow to their engine from the Hetzer or even the B1-Bis hull locked 75mm.

Kaiser eyed the situation carefully from his cupola. A glance back showed the daunting sight of Natalya's IS-1 and their Enemy. A glance to his side showed the cold blue steel of the Porsche Tiger. Another collision as his vehicle rammed theirs to maintain its course.

A closer look upon impact showed a pair of eyes behind the glass of their cupola. Staring intently at him from the dark innards of their tank. As the fair-skinned face and Brown eyes noticed his eye contact, they seemed to challenge him. To confirm his guess the Porsche Tiger lurched forward momentarily, showing it had speed to spare.

Kaiser glanced back, knowing that the situation needed to change, but questioning if his crew could outperform the leopon team. As he looked back and forth he noticed two things. The first was their strange mascot painted on the side of their vehicle with a vacant look on it. The second was the trail of black smoke emitting from their rear.

Kaiser recalled the effects of his earlier shelling. "West! How are you at racing?" he called down to his driver.

"With a strained grunt as he shifted the steering wheel once more Westhoffen responded. "What the hell does that have to do with right now?"

"Then how do you feel about losing?"

"Hate it!" he grit through his teeth.

"Good enough, Belle rotate the turret to the rear, counterclockwise, Laura prepare a reload! West prepare for my mark!"

The girls responded with a "Yes sir!" as West grunted his acknowledgment. As the turret began rotating, Kaiser emerged from his cupola. Drawing the eye of the Porsche Tiger's commander, he lifted his cap while holding it to his head against the wind.

A small head with an easygoing smile peered out of their cupola. "Willing to put your machinery to the test?"

"What's your name?" asked Kaiser as Shells were traded behind them, The IS-1 courageously absorbing or diverting fire from the Tiger.

"Nakajima," she said with an easygoing smile.

Kaiser let a sly grin slip. The girl hesitated at the unexpected demeanor that came from the boy peering down at her. "Name's Kaiser, let's see what you can do."

With a shiver of excitement at the acceptance of her challenge she gave a nervous grin in return. "Don't regret it!" she said slinking back into her vehicle. Kaiser noticed some movement from within, perhaps she was reporting her challenge to Miho in hopes of utilizing it to make an opening.

Disrupting his thoughts a shell skimmed across the cheek of his turret, sending sparks up toward his face. Throwing a casual glance back he saw the culprit. The barrel of the Panzer IV was bobbing in and out of sight, its commander standing as tall as he out of her hatch.

Kaiser snickered to himself as he held eye contact. Placing a hand around his mic he radioed Natalya. "Prepare to cover my rear, I'm going to give you a break from all those concussions."

It took a moment for a response. "That would be appreciated. You're not going to do anything reckless are you?"

"The rest of this match is probably going to get more and more so from here if I'm honest."

"...Well at least you're honest with me. Just be careful" plead Natalya.

Kaiser found the request strange but recalled being chastised by a few others for such a thing. "I'll try to come back in one piece."

A short huff of air came from the other side, knowing she accepted his response Kaiser gave his order. "Wait until I fire, then you will be in charge of holding them at bay."

Without any further talk, Kaiser waved his cover at Miho, the same unflinching expression on her face. Another round from the Panzer IV and B1 Bis came in response. Seeing his taunt garner no reaction other than gunfire, Kaiser turned and chuckled as he sat down.

Glancing at his map he saw the upcoming turn straighten out for a decent stretch. It would be a fine racetrack. With two tight turns, the Tigers kept each others side's nearly drifting as they did so.

The Porsche Tiger had assumed he had reversed his gun to gain speed via some semblance of aerodynamics. If he were to fire on its allies behind it they would ram and throw his shot. Yet as the road straightened the TIger fired, its shell flying between the vehicles and hitting nothing but air. Having been signaled, the IS-1 Pulled a wide turn, almost losing control as it drifted onto the roadside burm.

In the short time it took for the IS-1 to get both tracks on the road again the Tiger fired another shot where it had drifted from. The Mark IV took an 88mm directly to the square plating in front. The IS-1 whipped its rear to smash against the tailgating Mark IV and divert its course to obstruct the road as its white flag popped.

The Porsche Tiger watched in shock as their ally became an on-road blockage. They then missed their cue to start. The Tiger took the initiative, shifting gears and speeding ahead on the road, leaving the Porsche to follow its orders. 'Do not let them regroup'

As the Tigers sped off the IS-1 followed at a distance, Its turret rotating to their rear, and seeing Oarai's Panzer IV burst past the Mark IV in a skillful maneuver by again using the Hetzer as an impromptu ramp with the B1 Bis pushing it. The remaining vehicles were now sufficiently slowed but soon pushed aside the Mark IV and resumed their pursuit.

Now the Is-1 Had to contend with the Panzer IV. Natalyafaced a challenge in doing so as the vehicle sped past their still rotating turret and proceeded past them, dead set on surpassing Kaiser or perhaps taking him out.

Natalya would not allow that to happen. Her driver nudged the Panzer IV with a quick order, forcing a shot intended for Kaiser's rear to hit the dirt below. The Panzer IV tried to steady itself but received another impact. This one sent them careening off into the foliage beyond the road.

Natalya knew their impact wasn't hard enough for such a hasty correction. With sudden realization, she took a look at her own map. The road was straight for now but soon took a right turn at its end. 'It would take a masterful driver to catch up through that terrain, however…'

Her thoughts were interrupted as her gunner fired and she received more retaliatory shots from the rear. She would report the situation to Kaiser, but any assistance was now out of her hands.

It hadn't even been half an hour and for the audience, things seemed to be reaching the climax. Meanwhile, Sokolov had arrived at the designated point behind the final crossroads. The thin boy wiped a bead of sweat across his forehead as he emerged from his vehicle. Now he was to set upon the task Kaiser had assigned him and he was none too confident.

With squeamish hands, he set about preparing.

-Chapter End-