Kaiser recognized the voice calling out. It was faint but it sounded familiar. Not daring to raise his head he tried to recall the names of the girls who had unintentionally aided his espionage on Pravda. He had seen them earlier afterall and hoped they were as inattentive to details as they seemed.

'Hopefully, whichever one it is, will just brush this off' he prayed in his mind'. With his back to the vehicle and the radio dragged behind his head as he was on his side and rolled next to Katya, he held his breath and stifled hers with his hand. Katya's shout of surprise at his proximity died in her throat as Kaiser's listened intently for their opponent's next move.

Katya looked up at Kaiser awaiting his signal and holding her breath. The silence was stifling. It dragged on long enough that the two felt as if the girl had called out into the night randomly rather than having heard Katya's panting. Kaiser felt an unusual nostalgia for the situation.

He was worried the white of their skin would betray them in the night, hence why the green radio was covering their heads. It was a small reassurance that he felt may have saved them. Dim moonlight and tall grass or not anyone would notice specks of white sticking out in the darkness. It almost brought a chuckle to his lips as he remembered small things made large differences.

A small part of brush stirred a few meters away from them, rustling as two small critters scurried out, drawing away from the ISU commander's attention. Kaiser pressed down on Katya slightly as she jumped from the noise, the two watching the small animals rush up a tree. They weren't the only ones as Kaiser faintly heard his enemy speaking. "No just some animals" she declared.

'She doesn't know how far someone's voice travels at night' Critiqued Kaiser. Looking down he saw a panicky Katya with a flustered expression and a lack of breath from being restricted.

'Neither does my cadets' he noted mentally as he slowly released her, allowing her to quietly calm down.

'No I suppose infantry knowledge is seen as needless in Senshado' he quickly thought. In InfanterieKampf an armored vehicle could have easily ambushed or attached a simulated explosive to it. 'Perhaps I should restructure the training after this match' It was no time to think of the future but win or lose he would have to train the cadets afterward, switching back on track he focused on winning here first.

It was as the ISU commander dipped into her hatch to speak with her crew that Kaiser dared move, Katya still somewhat dazed and being dragged once more. At an ever impetuous pace, he gestured with a nod signaling for her to continue moving. As he crawled forward dragging the radio once more Katya realized he hadn't even registered her fluster.

'He had been so close and practically on top of me!' she chastised' her mind treacherously screamed recalling it. The distracting thoughts, however, led her to forget her exhaustion, granting a second wind to catch up once more. 'Perhaps it is best if neither of us speaks of this again' she contemplated. The burning embarrassment in her cheeks didn't agree, she felt she should at least chastise him over common sense, although she felt he would dismiss it with the excuse of "combat" which she couldn't refute.

Pressing on, Kaiser chalked his comrade's aloofness to nerves. They hadn't seen much action, but individuals hardly left their vehicles in Senshado. It was no surprise she'd be overwhelmed. Once again he felt reminiscent of his past InfanterieKampf matches and having to train Junior cadets, only now he was restrained to fighting in a vehicle that he felt they couldn't reach fast enough.

Having continued crawling until they were a hundred meters away, the two rose to a low crouch and ran as fast as they could back to their vehicle's last known position. An engine roared in the distance behind them, heading in their direction. The ISU began patrolling once more. The worrying thought that his foe had allowed him to escape so he would lead them to his Tiger arose but he dismissed it. 'No, no they couldn't be that bright, besides I hadn't made nay mistakes' Kaiser assured himself.

Gritting his teeth, Kaiser ordered Katya to stand and run as he slung the radio on his back. Now rushing, the two sprinted to their vehicle, hopefully still past the woods ahead of them, and slowing only for Kaiser to occasionally check a small map and compass in the dim light along the way.

The engine's sound grew louder and louder as it picked up speed, presumably chasing them after hearing their hurry. "Katya, up ahead!" announced Kaiser as they broke past a bush, drawing her attention from glancing behind. Before them, the Tiger stood with barely any of its steel showing. Instead covered in branches and brush, fumes radiating from the still-warm engine and the crew happily chatting, sitting halfway out of their hatches.

Having made a grand entrance, their crewmates looked up in surprise to see their heavily panting commander and RO. Not a moment later the enemy ISU burst out from behind a thicket and landed in a small divot in the terrain. Kaiser locked eyes with the ISU commander as she felt braced for the harsh jerking of her vehicle. Sparing a glance at each other then another glance between them and the still stunned crew of his Tiger followed by a few seconds of silence.

Kaiser was the first to act. He grabbed Katya by the wrist, pulling her along. "Get the 'VIC' moving now!" He shouted. Jumped at the sudden chaos, upon hearing Kaiser's distinct voice shouting orders, his crew instinctually resumed their positions, their training showing its fruition.

Westhoffen, Laura, and Belle slipped into their hatches readying the vehicle. Soon black fumes rose into the reddening sky, the turret starting to turn oh so slowly. Kaiser glanced to his right, seeing the ISU adjust its turret up and around so the barrel wouldn't eat dirt as it moved out of the minor depression. Shock was apparent on the female commander's face whom he recognized to be the blonde he had met, Alina, who seemed frightened at the sudden shifting mass ahead of her. Perhaps she had expected to capture him not expecting his vehicle to be so near?

He and Katya were in a full sprint. Kaiser easily maneuvered over the terrain despite the low lumination, sprinting at full speed, hopping over low-lying branches, and uneven terrain. Katya fared less so stumbling at every other divet in the uneven earth. Kaiser looked back, seeing Katya's lack of progress. Having nearly reached the Tiger, Katya's natural capabilities seemed to meet with her luck. She landed foot first into a small burrow covered by wild grass.

Kaiser bit his lip as he looked back. Taking a deep breath he sprinted back to her. With an outstretched hand, Katya called for help seeing her commander return. As he grasped it and pulled her up she began to apologize. "Ah, sir! I'm so sorr-EEEEEEK!" Her apology was cut short as Kaiser took matters into his own hands, grabbing and lifting her onto his shoulder.

Looking down at the ground and watching his footing in the low light as Katya frantically blustered at his hold on her. With the groan of gears and steel around them, Kaiser's breathing became labored as he sprinted with his new baggage. Thankfully the girl seemed so surprised she didn't struggle as he ran. The ISU's engine roared as it pushed itself out of the depression, leveling itself. Sparing no glance, Kaiser knew there what action it would take. It would seek to eliminate his crew.

A final lunge and Kaiser arrived next to the Tiger, with a heave he placed Katya atop the chassis. As acrobatically as he could manage, Kaiser followed suit swinging himself atop from the cannon as it moved and clambered into the turret to see Belle hurriedly adjusting the gun to fire. Peering out of the cupola, Kaiser saw the ISU face them, its barrel settling downwards.

"West move now!" he shouted as the Tiger lurched into gear with surprising speed as an impact of metal was heard with the distinct sound of two separate shots. Looking out, Kaiser caught sight of a tree laying atop his chassis, its base having been destroyed by the ISU. The vehicle in question sat still with a disabled left track.

"West push up the enemy's right, Belle lower the gun, aim behind the canons breach where the loader would sit," he ordered.

"Yes Sir!" they responded, immediately doing so.

Despite the fixed turret and blown track, the ISU's crew seemed willing to continue its fight as a few students scrambled out to repair the track. To their consternation, they saw the Tiger pull up next to them. Following the Senshado's rules and knowing their safety was endangered they begrudgingly gained some distance. The 88mm shell impacted as Kaiser had directed. The impact rocked the ISU violently and no doubt rang the remaining crew's ears harshly from the concussive force. Assuringly a flag popped out as the outside students watched in dismay.

Placing his headset on in relief, static entered Kaiser's ear followed by a sarcastic voice. "Smooth" came the low voice out in his headset.

"Thanks for the assist," said Kaiser, choosing to ignore the sarcasm directed at his scramble for safety.

"I'm sure you could have handled it yourself" continued the voice. Kaiser took a deep breath calming his lungs and emerged from his hatch to inspect the area for his suddenly talkative comrade.

"Well with the Tiger's turret rotation it would have been a chore, thanks for sparing me the effort," remarked Kaiser. A loud snort of air came in response to his sass. "Well then someone may have seen the flashes or at the least heard the shots, let's relocate to the defensive line and get a grasp of the situation Sokolov."

In the not-so-far distance, an engine started up in response, signaling Sokolov's acknowledgment of the directive. 'Closer than I thought' noted Kaiser, impressed by his subordinate's stealth.

A few painfully stretched minutes passed as they regressed to the main body from the south. Tension set in as new life seemed to find his crew as they advanced and heard successive cannon fire in the distance. "We should be coming onto friendly lines now be prepared" he ordered as they braced themselves for what was to come. Not even out of the treeline, they saw the remnants of their frontline. Disabled tanks dotted the area as the still operating teams lay scattered about engaged and attempting to drive their foe to the north.

Kaiser's expression grew stern. The situation had degraded rapidly. Moving to join the adjacent survivors, Kaiser tried radioing in his arrival to no avail, there was still panicked chatter on the comms. Seeing a flash of light from the distance he took a flashlight and in quick succession flickered it to attract the vehicle's attention, preferably without being fired upon. The small flickering light couldn't be mistaken for even MG fire showing their lack of hostility at range until they drew closer and the Tiger's silhouette became obvious.

Once the Tiger was within fifty meters of the shattered defense and no fire was received Kaiser took in the surroundings. From the vehicles and the barrel flashes, he determined there were only three vehicles still active of the main body's original six. "Laura you're in charge again. Aid in deflecting the enemy assault and hold them off till I can get to Virtanen" said Kaiser tearing off his headset, realizing comms were useless at the moment. Whether Virtanen was hopping channels to relay orders or he was maintaining silence in hopes of not divulging info to a possibly listening enemy, Kaiser saw it faster to inspect each of the still firing vehicles rather than play guessing games.

Hopping out of his vehicle once more, Kaiser heard his Tiger's machine gun fire a small burst of tracers to gauge the range of their enemies, followed by the 88. It was a relief his crew could calmly operate despite hell breaking loose. As he ran and shells continued flying in the air, Kaiser assumed this assault was Pravda playing conservatively, waiting for a directive or catalyst.

'Perhaps our left flank?' he ruminated as he ran.

He soon reached the vehicle that he had signaled. Seeing its silhouette he continued, not stopping despite its commander's confusion as he knew figured Virtanen would be at the center trying to hold the line and maintain communication. Along his run, he noticed the occasional disabled friendly vehicle, their crews ashamedly looking away. Catching a glimpse of their vice commander running before averting their eyes when he looked over despite being inside their vehicles.

He knew of the irrefutable guilt they felt, but he held no responsibility to comfort them. They had failed, He had an objective to complete.

Further to the left of the hasty defensive line, Kaiser finally caught sight of Virtanen's Panther. To his surprise, Virtanen was outside of his vehicle crouched low and far behind it next to a tree as it fired from a slightly elevated position. He was shouting orders through a portable radio much as Kaiser had done previously. He was most likely trying to reduce noise and prioritize organizing the communications and orders. A praiseworthy action even to Kaiser whose mood had turned cynical.

Running up to the crouched figures, Kaiser exchanged glances with Knight who sprinted back to his own Panzer IV further to the left flank. Pausing for a breath, Kaiser demanded an explanation. As the Panther fired another shell the brief illumination revealed Kaiser's expression to Virtanen. It asked the question "How did the plan go so awry?" Virtanen in frustration glared at Kaiser as he explained the situation.

"Those damn Pravdans amassed an assault and broke through the left flank! First, they sent six of their vehicles to assault Diana's maneuver element, then the other three came to pin us down with harassing fire from both positions! To top it off that damn IS-3 hasn't missed a single shot either and the damn KV-5 has been tanking everything we throw at range" he revealed. Though he wasn't done as he shouted a few more orders into his receiver before continuing.

Shaking his head he continued the long list of trouble. "To make matters worse Diana's element has been encircled and forced to retreat deeper northeast into their lines. They are being chased by a small detachment skirmishing with them while the reinforcements provide pressure this way."

There was a moment of hesitation in his voice as summed up the scenario. "They've lost Piper and Anna, meanwhile here we've lost the 44M TAS, Firefly, and the Pz SFL. With you and Sokolov, if he is even still active, we have seven vehicles, two of which are still encircled." he finished, teeth clenched and ground them in distress.

As strange as it may have been Kaiser could not bring himself to feel satisfaction at Virtanen's plans falling apart. What had been a trapeze act between the two had devolved into this.

"Figures" grunted Kaiser under his breath. Through the sounds of battle ringing around them, Virtanen clearly heard the insult. His face grew pallid as the verbal dagger had been thrust into him, all he could do was stare down. His face seemed to portray what he could not say. 'I've failed'.

Anger took Kaiser. 'Screw it' he decided, tossing away his prior thoughts and plans. Now there were only two things, the match, and their enemy. Grasping Vitanen by the collar he lifted his commander to his feet by force.

Virtanen limply resisted before he saw the change in his old acquaintance. The usual calm and stoic demeanor were gone. Instead, a manic grin took his comrade's face as violent and eccentric gestures came from him. It was as if he had changed personalities back to his old self in InfanterieKampf, all except for the look in his eye. Even now he was having fun.

"Get these vehicles to fall back to the silver phase line now! Gold is lost, Sokolov and I will cover the escape. Once you reach these coordinates set up an Area of Operations and outer cordon!" Kaiser ordered as he wrote the numbers on Virtanen's hand despite the wild stare he received.

The two stood still for a single moment. A lone second where their eyes locked, holding a silent conversation.

Kaiser's glare seemed to chastise Virtanen as if saying 'Your jealousy threw yourself in over your head, not only being incapable of holding your own but of rationalizing a preventable situation'.

Virtanen seemed to receive the message clearly, before further pain and dismay could strike his heart four words caught his ear. "Snap out of it". All other noise was muted to Virtanen. "I need a fellow commander here not a submissive boot" Demanded Kaiser." We have a job to do."

A single nod and no words followed their glares. The only interruption was a shell bouncing from the Panther, sent flying with a resounding screech into the air. Suddenly all sound came back to them as they regained their bearings. Kaiser sprinted back to his vehicle leaving Virtanen with the coordinates and his frayed emotions.

'I'm no good like this, any plan, even from him right now is better than what I could throw together right now' Virtanen reasoned to himself as he eyed the numbers in his hand before climbing into his vehicle.

Kaiser saw another two rounds fly past friendly vehicles as he sprinted back to his Tiger. Hopping on and into it, he received a surprised yelp from Laura, alerting his crew to his presence. Quickly he began relaying his orders.

'Damage control, damage control, damage control,' the words repeated in his head as he listed off the tasks and ensured they weren't being pushed. Katya fiddled with the radio under his orders as they tried to reinstate communications. Once the line was calmed he then gave the order for a retreat and for Sokolov to be on rearguard so they could fall back as well. Finally came the hefty gambit of displacement.

His Tiger advanced slightly, firing tracers from the machine gun and cannon in an attempt to draw enemy fire and alleviate their remaining ally who now began to slowly withdraw from Virtanen's side of the engagement.

Sweat began to build on Kaiser's brow as each minute ticked by and another vehicle would sound off their successful retreat. Each impact, overhead tracer, or concussive force rebounding off the steel hull increased the pressure on Kaiser and his team's shoulders. After each flash in the distance Kaiser would adjust and retaliate accordingly giving accurate distances and fire.

After Virtanen's Panther finally retreated Belle let a startled noise out. "Sir! I think I see the enemy flag tank!" Kaiser's head spun, looking through his bino's despite what good they did in the darkness. It was hard to see but the distinctive yellow and red marked flag on a roving T-34-100 was confirmation enough.

Now he was faced with a dilemma Thoughts of engagement in hopes of destroying the enemy flag vehicle and ending the match clouded his mind. Logically he should follow the retreat and maintain their already fractured unit integrity. Had he more time to think and take in the scenery once more, he would have realized it was an impossible task.

His Tiger was holding the line against an enemy that outnumbered him at least four to one before their reinforcements arrived. He would incur untold risks by weighing the small possibility of success in destroying the enemy commander versus the large possibility of his side losing an experienced commander and asset in firepower. Any doubts he had were assuaged by the temptation of success and it remedying the current disaster.

"Push forward! Engage the enemy command vehicle!" Kaiser ordered. He received an unsure glance from his crew. Ever loyal however they followed through. The Tiger lurched forward, out of its position halting just before a sharp six-foot drop into a dried riverbed that formed a gradual depression in the terrain.

The Pravda vehicles had been tightening their assault during the entire retreat, and now were within dozens of meters, firing from any cover or concealment they had. Katyusha was presumably the flag vehicle and had descended into the dried riverbed. Most likely to direct the assault from a nearby position.

The Tiger's barrel loomed over the steep edge, just as its weight was about to shift forward dragging it into the riverbed, Kaiser gained a familiar, sickening feeling. "Reverse!" he shouted reaching for West's shoulder. Instinctively, West pulled the controls as hard as he could in a panic, forcing the vehicle to a screeching halt as a loud explosion rang from beneath them.

The IS-3 lay beneath them, its barrel aimed up. Lying in wait along the riverbed's slanted walls, they had set a trap using their commander to lure valuable prey and finish them with a shot to the underside. The round had come so close it had surely peeled off some of the outer armor. Not waiting for fate to strike them down, Kaiser ordered the retreat once more.

The IS-3 attempted to pursue, trying to crest the edge of the riverbed despite the high climb. Luckily they were forced back as a shell from Sokolov's Stug IV ricocheted off its hull. As the IS-3 backed down, Sokolov continued providing support and relocated.

It was clear the enemy was now advancing. The lack of fire being received showed such. If the IS-3 was to close in and engage with reinforcements that would be the game The retreat was the only viable option now as Sokolov would make an appearance in warding off the pursuers and throwing them off the main body's trail. The new hope was that their enemy could be misled southwest while Transcendence would rendezvous in the southeast woods.

As adrenaline cooled and Kaiser's Tiger reentered friendly lines did he pass the KV-85 idly on watch. Valerya exchanged passing glances with him, showing her disdain for the fiasco and being left under their command as he went to reconvene with Virtanen and Knight.

Each vehicle was parked apart as each vehicle's crew scrambled about. Similar ammo between vehicles was being redistributed, information passed, as well as emergency maintenance was being done.

Dismounting once more, Kaiser approached the gathering of panicked cadets in the center of the parked vehicles. The only eyes to meet his were Knight's concern-filled orbs and Virtanen's showing his utter contempt for the situation.

The third official engagement of the match was a turning of the tides for Pravda and a resounding defeat for Transcendence morally.

-Transition-

The crowd's reactions had changed in every conceivable way. Pravda's students and Transcendence cadets cheered for their teams as each showed their prowess and refined skill. Even the admiration and swooning for certain star individuals was soon replaced by racked tension as both schools saw how the match was developing and flipping about in terms of possible results.

The civilian audience found themselves biting their nails in amazement at Pravda's willingness and patience to lose their numerical advantage to find an opportune moment to shatter their enemy's lines. Needless to say, this sent a shock to the Transcendence cadets and nearly erupted a fight between the two schools' more fevered fans. Distractions and instigations from O'Diveley aside the Audience looked on in anticipation at what to expect. A veteran school with ruthless discipline had just taken an advantageous lead over the expertly trained yet morally fractured newcomers. The crowd couldn't wait to see what next

-Chapter End-

-Omake. (Extra)-

"Let's follow suit" Kaiser ordered anxiously upon hearing of Pravda's advance on their main front. His team, however, seemed stunned and incapable of making eye contact with him as Katya continued to catch her breath from the excitement of having dispatched the ISU.

"Oi! What's the matter?" demanded Kaiser, confused by the sudden lack of adrenaline. His team seemed flustered rather than exhausted. Their aversion to looking at him drew his ire as the situation had nowhere near calmed. Katya was the only one who didn't seem to be avoiding his eyesight. With flushed cheeks and slow panting, she cast a lazy gaze back, curious herself at the silence.

It was as her three team members saw her appearance that their eyes darted to their respective corners of the vehicle adamant to not speak their minds as Kaiser and Katya exchanged confused glances.

Trapped between their commander and their RO, they naturally couldn't avoid both gazes. As uncomfortable heads shifted about, Kaiser caught glimpses of his crew's expressions. Laura held a scowl with a light blush. A mix of embarrassment and disappointment crossed her features. Belle was worse for wear, barely concealing her distress. Her face was the same shade of red as the moon outside. She seemed inordinately focused on her sight and even jumped when Kaiser tapped her seat to get her attention. West, however, seemed to be the only one who seemed indifferent. To be more precise his usual scowl seemed contorted with minor envy and self-righteous anger.

West's attitude seemed almost natural so Kaiser dismissed his subordinate's scowl.

With no reply, Kaiser repeated his words, his frustration mounting as he only heard slightly intimidated and embarrassed mutter's in response.

"I can't believe you would…" accused Laura.

"So bold and, and forceful…" muttered Belle to herself.

"Of course, you would, bastard..." insulted Westhoffen.

Their vague murmurs rattled off quietly, the only similarity being one phrase.

"In the middle of a match no less".

Laura, Belle, and West shared unsure glances not knowing what to say. Despite their commander's rising anger, how could they explain that after he and Katya departed they had heard nothing while camouflaging the tank. Then just before their return with the enemy in tow, they had heard 'everything.'

-Flashback-

-During Kaiser and Katya's stealthy return to the Tiger-

The scenery around the Tiger's crew as they sat, waiting in their vehicle, was still and somewhat disturbing to the three team members who remained behind. Not too long after Kaiser had departed with Katya to complete whatever task he set out for, Laura had in an attempt to gain praise, had herself and Belle camouflage the vehicle with nearby foliage.

This hadn't taken as long as they thought and the three found themselves waiting once more for orders or their teammate's return. For unknown reasons Kaiser had left with discretion, leaving them in the dark much to Laura's annoyance and Belle's curiosity despite Westhoffens cynical remarks of impure intents. The two female's dismissed their teammate's insults, it wasn't possible Kaiser had taken Katya for that.

Soon however doubt arose about their confidence in their commander. A static rose over their radio. Katya had left it on a private channel which Kaiser's radio was tuned to hear any reports. The three jumped at the noise as West reached for the receiver ready to respond. The sound was somewhat distorted and came in spontaneous bursts, almost as if in a rhythm.

The continuous noise garnered their curiosity as the three found themselves entranced, staring at the device, trying to decipher the meaning or reason behind the strange noise.

West was the first to speak as his eyes widened slightly. "It sounds like-"

"Breathing?" asked Belle.

"Heavy breathing at that" commented Laura as she listened intently to the noise trying to decipher the noise.

"Perhaps it's broke?" offered Belle suggesting a probable cause.

"Doubt it" replied West. "I sit next to Katya in here and in class. I always see her fiddling with these radios and I've noticed a few things from observing. If anything it's on their end." Westhoffen closed his eyes and thought aloud. " It's probably being dragged or banging against something." He suggested.

Laura and Belle sent quizzical looks at the surprisingly useful information. Before West could comment on the insulting looks of surprise the radio came on once more. This time although quiet, the voice belonged to Katya. Through her heavy breaths, they could make out a meek, single word.

"Hard"

Three questioning glances were exchanged. "W-what was that?" Asked Belle aloud as if the radio would respond to her.

Laura tried thinking of what the word could have meant. 'Perhaps a codeword? Maybe Pravda was listening in and they were trying to convey a message?' Their thoughts were interrupted as the radio started up once more.

"Under your" Came Katya's voice once more in a meeker than usual manner. This time more panting followed the end of the transmission, causing Belle's cheeks to tinge and West's Mouth to unhinge as they stared at the machine.

Laura, herself was wide-eyed, her mind no doubt running the same thoughts as her peers. "H-Hey maybe it's not what it seems, I mean really now, it's Kaiser after all. Could you imagine him doing such a thing?" she stuttered in an attempt to reassure her crew as well as herself. The comment held its weight as Belle seemed to ease somewhat. Her blush didn't dissipate however and regardless of West's muttering, he seemed confident in the remark as well.

As if taunting them, the radio turned on once more.

"Impossible" came Katya's voice with a long, exhausted breath.

The radio shut off soon after as the three cadets lost their faith at the suggestive transmission. Each of their minds were racing. West couldn't help but feel a pang of anger while Belle seemed to have short-circuited and couldn't quite function as her cheeks became dangerously heated.

Where Belle had stopped thinking and Westhoffen had become distracted with jealousy, Laura was perhaps the most conflicted. 'Why would he be doing that in the middle of a match!? And- And with Katya!? T-There's plenty of other times and places!?' The thoughts consumed her mind as she thought perhaps too much into the subject.

The radio came to life once more as if it wasn't done relishing in their stupor. No words were transmitted only the muffled sound of Katya's muffled sounds as if she seemed to have something pressed against her. The three proceeded to lose all faith, their minds running wild as they argued about the 'indecency' of 'him'. In their minds, Katya was a poor victim of their commander.

As debatable comments were tossed around they found themselves suffocating in the now sweltering vehicle. The three agreed on cooling off by opening their hatches to get some fresh air and cool off. This proved counterproductive as they continued spouting out their outrage. Their conversation's noise covered the sound of the two individuals sprinting in their direction followed by a deeper slowly growing engine reverberating in the woods. The First thing to break through the foliage, disrupting their discussion, and meet their eyes were their comrade's pale panting faces.

-Present-

The three shared an undeclared vow of silence with ever reddening faces, unsure if their minds had truly wondered or if the enemy's ISU had interrupted their commander's supposed deviousness.

Kaiser's patience did not care for it, however. "On with it, now!" he roared as West to the opportunity to drive and avoid being targeted. Laura and Belle scrambled around seeking something to distract themselves and avoid their commander's eye. Now unsure of his character They felt suddenly aware of him as another male.

The trip back to their friendly lines wasn't long but it sufficed for Kaiser to eventually worm the truth out of them. Even if he had to suffer their blatant accusations of improper behavior from the girls and "being a hypocrite" from West.

Katya sat back in horror covering her face at the suggestive and unfoundedly detailed accusations being tossed around. Eventually, Kaiser's calm explanations, supported by Katya's fervent defense, persuaded them otherwise. At least the female members seemed willing to believe. A single look at West showed he wouldn't take back his earlier remarks.

'One step forward and two steps back. I just recently gained Laura and Belle's trust and they had to come to this conclusion' thought Kaiser in annoyance. His only consolation was the fact they were in mid-battle. He could distract himself here. Surely the front would give him a fun distraction.

-Omake End-