Pravda methodically made its way into the town under harassing fire from Transcendence. Street-by-street advances from each house and street corner provided what little cover for their lead tanks to advance. Moments of silent pause would emerge to be erased by a furious exchange with tracks clattering along concrete as they made an advance only to regress or gain newfound positions.
It was at the third 'phase line' in which Kaiser and Virtanen reconvened with their main force. As the fire slowly spread south and the Senshado federation sent specialists to ensure its containment, Kaiser was leaning inside of the Panzer IV's gunner hatch.
Pravda meanwhile was pushing the second phase line, of which Natalya was regressing. Five phase lines were set throughout the city, each of which was selected for strategic value at large roads or intersections where they could hastily assemble and defend. Meanwhile, their defense attacked from small streets, parks, and empty lots, all made their use in the defense in depth.
The first of which was the opening ambush. The elder Frost sibling had been disabled transitioning to the second phase line and as Natalya held the second, Knight had proceeded to the third to help her follow. Sokolov meanwhile had been displacing and supporting them from further back if not at the next phase line. Virtanen's Panther, the flag tank, lay in hiding around the fourth phase line in the city's Southeastern quarter.
Katyusha was aware of elastic defenses and the possibility of being pincered and encircled. Her number advantage had dwindled but she was only facing a small force without reinforcements. Her concentrated group would be pushing quickly through the streets. Each vehicle covered the advance of the next against the single defenders she knew were buying time. It was for "what" that unnerved her.
Not wanting to give fate the chance her team advanced with little to no error. Their progress unnerved her as much as it did Transcendence's cadets. On both sides, students simply did as ordered with no idea of what their leader's intentions were. Such as how the KV-5 had lumbered into the sights of the Panzer IV while he was giving a remedial lesson to its gunner.
"Now you already know how to measure the distance in bars and your commander has given you the distance. If an enemy appears and you don't have time to set a distance you can either fire with estimation and adjust accordingly or your commander can have preset destinations at designated locations" he explained over the shoulder of Knights gunner.
The girl sat tense and awkwardly trying to slip a word in only to be ignored. Kaiser could feel Knight staring daggers into the back of his head while the Panzer's crew glanced back and forth at him and the KV-5 slowly lumbered about.
"Now that KV is at the bakery, 200 meters from here, aim two bars higher in your sight and offset left a half meter," he continued. The girl did so with trembling hands and frantic eyes. "Now slowly" he whispered into her ear. "Fire"
The 75mm shell sent an all too familiar shockwave and impacted the KV-5s turret. Knight's driver immediately shifted into full reverse until Kaiser stopped him. Standing outside and atop the Panzers chassis, he looked through his binoculars and saw the KV-5 fire. The round flew far to his left, impacting a corner building twenty meters ahead before reversing out of sight.
"Good hit Corporal, I believe you just took out their stabilizer." complimented Kaiser as glanced down. The girl, awestruck in her hatch, sat frozen as the sounds of reloading finished up and the chassis adjusted once more, Knight arose out of his hatch cueing Kaiser to close the gunners and spare the girl their bickering.
Starting off their conversation a shell flew past them from the rear nipping a peeking T034 in the front plate, courtesy of Sokolov hidden away. began their conversation.
"Why," demanded Knight, anger tinting his voice. "Why did you come?".
Kaiser checked his watch and looked around. 'No sight of Virtanen. Must not be finished' he lamented. "It was no great epiphany. I merely realized that in the end, our goals aligned. Your rescue of Frost and my defeat of Pravda." The Panzer IV's gun fired once more, disturbing them for a moment before they resumed. "Besides Knight, my irrevocably hapless junior, you seem like you need the help."
Despite the moon's red light, Kaiser knew his mocking had left its effect. The fact that he could not retort, proved so. It was the arrival of Natalya's IS-1 and Virtanen trotting over in a wheeze that broke their staredown.
Turning from Knight who descended into his vehicle, Kaiser faced Virtanen. "Preparations complete?" he asked. Virtanen simply gave a weak thumbs up and gasped about needing more exercise. Kaiser hopped off the Panzer IV's chassis resisting the urge to criticize Virtanen's neglected fitness. Instead, once more the familiar feeling of excitement had begun to rise within him. "Let's get into position, this is where we'll pay Pravda back."
Virtanen hobbled along after Kaiser who took off in a sprint. Catching his breath, he felt a familiar worry settle over the sinister grin glossing Kaiser's face. Virtanen's mind recalled the last time he had seen his peer so restless 'Not since middle school. The closest was when he faced Naomi...' the similarities to the past and their prior arguments left him with worry over what chaos would occur within the next hour.
-Transition-
Pravda's advance
With the IS-1's retreat. Transcendence was settling into their new defensive positions as Pravda slowly encroached. The Pravdan advance's point vehicle was their last T-34-75. As they slowly pushed an intersection that was labeled as the third phase, the buildings slowly grew taller and larger the further they advanced into the city's heart.
Barrels forward or offset slightly to either side as they proceeded, the Pravdan column followed the T-34-75 with caution. No sooner did the point vehicle's barrel pass the buildings ahead, than a shape raced past its sights.
The Panzer IV having hidden behind the street corner and waiting for a chance to escape, raced past the Pravdan column's sights. Seeking to claim its prey, the T-34-75's turret followed in pursuit only for the Panzer IV to cross behind the corner building. The T-34-75 lurched forward as it immediately attempted to gain sight of the Panzer once more, not noticing what trailed behind its blindspot.
As it jumped forward, past the buildings, a shell from a concealed position fired, striking slightly high into the building next to it. The unexpected didn't stop there. Two cables attached to the panzer IV's chassis snapped taut, dragging the now weakened wall down. Half of the second floor and the third's entirety collapsed, falling into the narrow street and filling it with debris. More importantly, cutting off the lead vehicle from the Pravda's main body.
The commander inside of the T-34-75 snapped her head back observing the damage. Upon realizing her dilemma, she became intent on disabling the panzer IV ahead of her. Before her command could be given she saw the heart-rending sight of an IS-1 behind the Panzer IV aiming at her. Ever defiant, their vehicle fired. The shot missed the Panzer IV's rear by a slim margin and bounced off the IS-1 who quickly covered their ally before returning her sentiment in a strike to her right track. The treads shattered like a toy.
It was a blow from the left that sent her vehicle's flag rocketing up. Shaking off the disorientation that the last shell had brought with its strike, her crew saw a KV-85 emerge and displace in the distance. She hadn't even gotten a glimpse at what had assisted in collapsing the building and separated her team either.
-Transition-
Transcendence's defense
Kaiser nodded towards Virtanen at the far end of the street as he unhooked the cables attached to the Panzer IV. The first ambush was a success. Bringing down the building had forced Pravda to take yet another detour, buying them slightly more time as well as causing further distress as they fell into the final operation. It was a convenience that they were now even in terms of vehicles as well, even if Pravdas were a bit bulkier with their heavys.
Hearing the Pravdan column begin moving away he crouched somewhat and swiftly ran past the debris that clogged the street, meeting Virtanen halfway.
"You're insane, know that?" chuckled Virtanen nervously.
"See you're starting to enjoy this" grinned Kaiser as he slapped Virtanen's arm. "Small miscalculation, however. The T-34 commander must have been a senior. I expected small vehicles to be manned by less experienced crews, but they made a quick decision and almost got Knight. Thankfully I had the IS-1 in reserve" Kaiser lamented.
Virtanen nodded. "Scared the hell out of me, she immediately gave herself up as a goner and tried to ensure damage to us, a real soldier that one" Virtanen expelled in agreement.
"Yes, yes you can be sure to get their number and praise them after we finish this fight," remarked Kaiser began to sprint away. Virtanen followed suit with furrowed brows at the comment. Kaiser snickered as he glanced at Virtanen's disgruntled face. 'He still gets nervous in the middle of urban operations like a boot, shocking that hasn't changed.'
-Transition-
Pravda's POV
Katyusha ground her teeth. Saying she had improved her attitude was easier to brag about when she didn't have to suppress her instinctual urge to throw a tantrum at the current course of events. 'These worthless brats are resisting at every turn!' she screamed internally, not wanting to betray the image of maturity she deluded herself into believing she set.
"What now Katyusha?" asked Nonna, calm as ever. Shaking her head side to side, Katyusha emerged from her hatch. Nonna and Clara emulated her in turn. "We keep our momentum!" she declared. "Show them the might of Pravda!" At this demand, the remaining vehicle commanders emerged as well. " These ingrates will no longer receive mercy! Now we crush them under our steel!"
A resounding "URA!" came from each member of her team. Katyusha turned facing forward and pondered on her situation. They advanced down a road adjacent to the city's center and were pushing into the southern quarter once more. The burning barricade at the city's southernmost edge signified its presence and location with a blackening sky.
Katyusha gave a furious glare at the black and red sky before directing her crews. "The KV-2 and T-34-85 shall seek the nearest elevation and deliver our wrath to any who stand in our way! Nonna! You will hunt down that pesky tank destroyer that has been harassing us all day. Clara and the KV-5 shall assist me in weeding out the enemy! Forward!"
On her words, the vehicles split into three groups and began to spread through the streets. Nonna split off early and proceeded in a tangent from Katyusha's squad while Clara followed her in parallel.
The two vehicles assigned to overwatch headed towards the only place they could see that suited their needs. Within an urban area that offered limited sight, there was only one real option apparent. A large parking garage stood heads above the other buildings in the downtown section.
Nonna was an adept hunter, easily capable of facing any foe hiding amongst the city streets while Katyusha's detachment held heavy armor and ample maneuverability to assault. They would need to be provided with constant intel on their enemy's movements and the locations of combat, however, hence why the KV-2 and T-34-85 were detached for overwatch.
The KV-2 with its size and loading time would be bogged down easily in the streets and ripe for an ambush. Needing only one heavy gun, Kayusha sent the vehicle and Its armament to provide deterrence in enemy movement, even capable of bringing down buildings atop their foes if necessary. The T-34-85 would serve as a cohort to deter enemy aggression on their overwatch.
A flawlessly practical plan had been constructed, however, one aspect was overlooked. It was logical to divide Pravda's forces to ensure overwatch and efficient maneuvering through the city. Yet this was exactly what Kaiser would have done and he knew that.
-Transition-
Transcendence response
Kaiser watched as the KV-2's barrel leveled out as it ascended the parking garage ramp onto the fourth floor. The highest level beside the roof access. As the lumbering vehicle began to move about the top floor passing a support pillar, he gave his signal. Softly tapping his gunner's seat, the 88mm fired.
The round impacted the support pillar next to the KV-2, erupting into an explosion of concrete and dust. The initial explosion then tripled in size, shattering the pillar. The entirety of the parking garage's fourth floor filled with dust and smoke pluming outwards as the force of the blast sought to escape the confines of the structure.
A metallic clang resonated within the Tiger as the empty shell casing hit the deck and the blast's shockwave reached them despite their distance. All of Kaiser's crew except for Laura, who rammed another shell in, sat in awe of the blast. A deafening silence seemed to take the town.
Belle looked back from her sights to see a sly grin across Kaiser's face. Westhoffen was the one to ask what they all thought. "What in the hell was that." The sound of tracks scraping against concrete and steel began to fill the air as the dust begin to settle and the moon's red light glinted on the white-painted vehicle's steel.
"A surprise left for Pravda in the form of every High explosive piece of ordnance I could scrape from our team. Rigged to blow the support structure within that garage once agitated might I add." Kaiser stored his binoculars away and began prepping himself as he explained.
"That girl would seek to gain intel on our movements in the city and the parking garage was an obvious position to take up." The screeching became louder as Kaiser could now see the KV-2 trying to maneuver away from a hole that had been opened next to it as the T-34-85 watched it struggle.
"Not to mention she's obsessed with height, I figured she would have gone for the high ground herself but this is still favorable" he continued. The KV-2's battle ended in failure as it tilted backward another degree shifting its weight to topple back and into the newfound sinkhole. The floor beneath could not withstand the tonnage after being weakened by the blast and caved in. The final floor below it followed suit, caving from the impact of the vehicle falling two floors above.
Though no longer visible, Kaiser knew the vehicle was inoperable. Injured crew, damaged beyond repair, toppled, no matter, he had gained the initiative here.
-Transition-
Audience
The crowd no longer had it within them to be left in awe at the turn of events. Instead, Raging jeers against proudful boasts were hurled about as several scraps broke within crowds of students, to their credit out of the public's eye. Yet order had to be reinstated by Senshado officials and volunteers alike in some cases.
The announcer had long since gone quiet, becoming an avid spectator himself. Instead, the camera department fought to find footage of just when the inordinate ploy had been laid. The large screens soon replayed footage of Kaiser and Virtanen running about, igniting the blockade and placing the pile of shells. It then switched to four screens, two showing both teams.
A frame focused on Virtanen showed the moment he stood outside his Panther, directing his crew at the sound of the large explosion. Tension was apparent in his shoulders as he winced at the reverberating sound and slowly turned to face the source.
The screen focusing on Pravda's leaders showed Katyusha and Nonna. The Former in shock and the latter with furrowed brows quickly turning away and decisively pushing onwards. Both individuals' actions were interrupted as ambushes were launched on both. The IS-1 and Panzer IV began to give alternating fire, deterring Katyusha's column while Valerya's KV-85 engaged Nonna's IS-3.
The final frame naturally showed the guilty party, Kaiser, whose grin only set the two opposing crowds' fervor alight once more.
-Transition-
Kaiser's POV
Kaiser's stern demeanor settled in as the T-34-85 descended two floors and began firing after a brief search. A small click of his tongue escaped as he gave the order to fall back.
"Time for an addition to the plan" he announced. Not allowing any worry to set into his team's minds, he radioed Virtanen. "Virtanen, pull north, enter the parking garage through the lower level access and rise to the first floor, I'll meet you there."
A response of static came followed by Virtanen's Voice. "Not again...".
Kaiser tossed his headset and exited his vehicle. His parting words to his crew "Hold till I return, Laura load the last HE shell when you see me, and Belle, watch your fire."
Descending his vehicle, Kaiser waited as his vehicle and the T-34-85 exchanged fire, peeking and retreating as if in a child's game. When the T-34-85 pulled back to reload and his tiger moved up he ran towards and broke into a building, and disappearing. He proceeded along the street next to where his vehicle was engaged. The occasional stray shell and burst of machine-gun rounds tore up the walls and floors of the building next to him as he circumnavigated to the garage.
Emerging at the end of the street, Kaiser saw Virtanen flash a light from the first floor briefly. In a crouch, he slowly proceeded towards the Panther as it lurched into place in the sub-level of the garage. The driver's head poked out of his hatch, timing his vehicle's short advances to the firing of the T-34-85's fire so as to not be noticed.
Kaiser waved him down, signaling to stop as he hopped onto the chassis. Grabbing onto the barrel and lifting himself, Kaiser came eye to eye with Virtanen. "Long time no see," remarked Virtanen "What happened to the plan?"
"I'm fine-tuning it" responded Kaiser. "I suppose it was optimistic to think we had enough HE leftover to take out more than one vehicle here," Kaiser remarked gesturing with a thumb over his shoulder in regards to the capsized KV-2 as he knelt to instruct Virtanen's driver.
"I really hope those girls are okay," remarked Virtanen giving a sympathetic look over.
"Pft" mocked Kaiser standing up. "Have you seen the girls they assigned to that thing? practically kids. They'll be fine, still growing and whatnot."
"Now that's Optimistic thinking" Snarked Virtanen, leaning into the back of his cupola as the Panther's turret slowly turned 180 degrees and slightly up. The chassis meanwhile pulled to the exit of the garage not yet exposing itself.
Kaiser leaned on the rotating turret, sighing. "And you say I'm the mean one. At least I don't insult others within earshot."
Virtanen's skin was already pale from exertion and the cold, but he turned a shade pinker. "I didn't mean their proportions".
Kaiser snickered. "Oh, a surprise for once? I thought that was at the top of your weaknesses. Women that is".
"Um, Sir's?" interrupted Virtanen's loader breaking the idle bickering amidst the cannon fire overhead. "We are in position" she awkwardly informed.
Virtanen glanced at Kaiser who slapped a hand onto Virtanen's shoulder. "I'll be borrowing your boy here." Virtanen slowly squinted his eyes and glared.
His distaste proved valid. Not a few moments later the two were sneaking behind the T-34-85 at a crouch with the Panther's heavy towing cables slung around their torsos. "Are you sure we should be doing this? Are we even allowed to?!" hissed Virtanen following behind Kaiser at a crouch.
"What? I thought you wanted to get into that obnoxious school gossip paper?" A round from the Tiger impacted above the T-34-85 and sent debris scattering down and far to its rear. "Don't worry. If we were breaking any rules they would have stopped the match after we started that fire." Kaiser informed over his shoulder, choosing not to respond to Virtanen's muffled gasp of shock.
"Wait you were just testing the water with that?!" asked Virtanen. Kaiser suddenly stopped in place, halting Virtanen.
Slowly Kaiser looked back, the moonlight silhouetting his face and gleaming red off his visage. Seeing only one eye and that same grin that betrayed his monotone voice. Kaiser was enjoying every second of confusion and chaos. "We haven't lost so there's no room to complain." Proceeding once more, Virtanen opted to not argue and instead followed quietly.
Behind The T-34 with its engine idle and the whistle of shells frantically flying about the two moved in silence. Kaiser pointed at Virtanen followed by a thumbs up. 'Ready?' His hands asked. Virtanen nodded. Kaiser pointed twice at Virtanen then at himself slowly. 'Do as I do' He signed. Another nod.
The Tiger fired once more its round scraping past the T-34's turret and embedding itself in the concrete roof. At that moment Kaiser rushed with Virtanen only a step behind. The two on either side of the tank. Kaiser to its left and Virtanen to its right. The two latched their cables onto the front of the tank and threw the excess over the damaged railing in front of it.
Without noticing their presence the T-34 fired its cannon leading to Virtanen wincing and hesitating. Kaiser grit his teeth through the ringing of his ears and took the moment to ascend the chassis and look into the cupola directly at the stunned commander behind. He could hardly see her eyes in the darkness of the vehicle but knew she saw him. Tauntingly he waved his cap before descending the cable as if rappelling. Below, the Panther, its RO, and Loader attached the cable's other ends onto the Panther's rear.
Kaiser landed with a thud of his feet onto the chassis followed by Virtanen slipping on the vehicle's built-up condensation and landing on his hip with a groan of pain. "In, now!" Kaiser ordered. Everyone scrambled into the vehicle with an extra member and braced themselves. Once the last hatch shut the Panther accelerated. The T-34-85 commander awaited the TIger to fire before peering down after the surprising face she had seen
Flooring it from the first floor and quickly tightening the slack between the two vehicles the T-34 commander had emerged from her hatch and felt her vehicle jerk forward. Any order to reverse was too late. Fighting a losing battle in a tug of war The T-34-85 hadn't lost its fight. Slowly both canons faced each other. The Panthers ascended as the T-34s descended. Both, barely out of the other's line of sight. Kaiser crawled over Virtanen's crew in the crowded vehicle and grabbed the radio, shouting into it. "Belle fire!"
The Tiger's 88mm projectile impacted just below the T-34-85, dislodging the last bit of railing and concrete in front of its tracks. Exposing the soft underbelly of the T-34. The Panther's 75 fired, striking true and disabling the T-34's transmission. With its resistance suddenly gone the Panther jerked forward once more and brought down the T-34-85 in a cacophony of steel and concrete.
The T-34's commander thankfully had the foresight to duck into her vehicle before it fell to stand vertically on its front and falling to prop itself up against the garage's wall at a slight tilt. Its barrel, needless to say, was destroyed beyond recognition.
Virtanen splayed out his limbs releasing his pent-up tension. "I hate you."
Kaiser squeezed past him to exit the cupola and sat on the turret of the Panther as the Tiger moved to meet it in the street. "And why is that?" asked Kaiser, breathing in the crisp night air, waiting for the ringing in his ears to stop as he took a breath.
Virtanen, annoyed, clicked his tongue. "I don't know, maybe doing something ridiculous such as rappelling off an enemy tank."
"That wasn't the crazy part, listen to this" quipped Kaiser. The Panther and Tiger stopped parallel to each other. Belle stood out of the cupola as Kaiser hopped onto the Tigers chassis. "Belle, how did you know it was me."
Abashedly she looked away before answering. "I didn't sir, could barely see you. Laura had already loaded AP by the time I saw you two descending." Kaiser looked smugly at Virtanen who was paler than snow.
"Y-You, You mean she didn't even know we were there?!" Exclaimed Virtanen.
"She did, just not all the details," Kaiser responded matter of factly. "By the way, Laura! Good job on the ammunition exchange" Kaiser complimented trying to ignore Virtanen's indignation.
"Ah-uhm, y-yes. Thank you, Sir." came an awkward response from inside the Tiger.
Virtanen took a deep breath before throwing his hands up in resignation. "I'm so glad the plan from here on out has us not working together."
Kaiser reached over, snagging Virtanen's arm and forcing him to look him in the eye. There was exasperation and adrenaline prevalent in Virtanen's eyes widened with alertness. Virtanen saw the opposite in Kaiser. No longer was the glee of adrenaline-pumping events nor the satisfaction of gambling in his eyes. His default stare and serious tone had returned once more.
"Virtanen," said Kaiser sternly. "I will buy you all the time you need. However, this gambit relies on you and if you can see it through to the end."
Virtanen's throat felt dry. "Why the pressure?" he chuckled before going quiet. "If it's so important why don't you take the lead," he said averting his eyes.
Kaiser's grip tightened grabbing Virtanen's attention again. "Because" he hissed. "I'm not the only one in the spotlight. You wanted to complain about trust. So here it is, don't screw it." Kaiser released Virtanen and grasped his hand and gave it a shake. Virtanen reluctantly reciprocated the gesture. Kaiser then abruptly turned and entered his Tiger without another word.
"So what's the real reason," asked Westhoffen sarcastically upon Kaiser sealing his hatch.
Kaiser answered unabashedly. "Pravda has probably deduced that I'm the one who has concocted these traps and will send their best after our Tiger as soon as they find it."
"Should've figured as much," remarked Laura leaning back with a sigh.
"How so?" asked Kaiser.
Katya was the one to answer with a gentle smile. "As we said, sir, we may not be together outside of this vehicle often but we know you more than anyone else"
"May I ask why you weren't as confident speaking to Virtanen as you are with me?" he asked.
"You don't know how awkward it is for the rest of the crew whenever the commanders are having such conversations! You seem to have them more so than anyone else! And to mock your own commander no less!" stammered Laura. Kaiser made a show of raising a fist to cover his mouth and repress a snort at her fluster.
"Laura grew red till she turned away in a "hmph".
Kaiser snickered at her pout before clearing his throat and returning to a serious tone. "Now then. Panzer advance". The command rolled naturally and the reply came just as well.
"Yes sir!"
-Transition-
Nonna's POV
Nonna took a deep breath steadying herself as she leaned back from the sights of her gun. Before her vehicle laid the smoldering wreckage of the KV-85. The large explosion south had caught her attention just as the KV-85 had engaged her. It was safe to say she was beginning to fear the worst despite knowing that Katyusha was still safe due to the match still ongoing. It didn't stop her from worrying as a parent would.
Standing up from her cupola to observe her immediate surroundings and grasped at her radio headset. "Lady Katyusha are you there?" she asked with a tint of urgency.
"Nonna!" came a shout in response, letting her breathe in relief at the sound of her leader's voice. "Where are you?!"
Glancing at the KV-85 and its crew emerging for fresh air she answered. "Pursuit of the enemy tank destroyer has been fruitless lady Katyusha. However, I have engaged and disabled the enemy KV-85. What is the matter?"
Clara answered in Russian. "Lady Katyusha has been pinned in the same position since the large explosion and we have lost the KV-2 and T-34-85," she gravely reported.
"Clara! " Katyusha barked "What did she say, Nonna?"
Closing her eyes and taking a breath, Nonna reworded the report she had received. "Clara simply wished to save you the trouble of explaining by informing me that the enemy has used underhanded tricks to stave off our advance."
Seemingly accepting the answer, Katyusha's response was interrupted by the sounds of increasing combat. "Return to Katyusha's side at once!" she demanded, the authority in her tone did little to hide her desperation for assistance.
Nonna intended to reply but locked eyes with the defeated KV-85's commander. She had never met the girl, nor seen her before. In the dim pinkish glow of moonlight, she could see her figure. With her torso outside the cupola and bent over the hatch ring.
A small frame and face with attractive features accompanied by platinum blonde hair. If she had been smaller and not so filled out, Nonna thought that then and only then, could she possibly be a match for Katyusha's cuteness. Through disheveled hair, dirtied from smoke and sweat, she could see keen eyes of defiance and a familiar, telling grin.
The girl looked as smugly as the Vice Commander of Transcendence. Her grin pronounced victory just as his attitude had each time they had met. She was undoubtedly a subordinate of that man. The girl began exaggeratedly chuckling to herself, her shoulders rising dramatically with each laugh. Then the girl gestured, cocking her head to the left.
Nonna's eyes widened a fraction. She just caught a glimpse of movement. The enemy Tiger passed by, ignoring its defeated ally and her. Nonna looked back at the chuckling girl, Her nose turned up as if condescending. Giving no more than a squint in her direction Nonna took off, irate at the girl who was certainly no gracious in defeat.
"I apologize Lady Katyusha but I must fend off another threat" answered Nonna. Immediate confusion came as a reply from Katyusha. "Wha- Nonna What do you mean!"
Biting her lip, Nonna made a plea. "Please wait for me Lady Katyusha, I will try to make my way.
Clara radioed in a separate channel speaking Russian to Nonna. "What is wrong Nonna?"
Nonna confessed her worries. "You seemed to have been right about the Tiger's commander. I have reached the enemy's rear and he is the only vehicle I've seen make a move from the KV-2's position south. I intend to pursue and eliminate him." she declared.
Clara hesitated briefly. "What of protecting Lady Katyusha?"
With utmost faith, Nonna answered. "I will entrust her safety with you comrade, the outlying threat is far too severe," she declared somberly.
"Very well, I shall perish before I allow her to be harmed" Clara answered, shaken by the sheer unpredictability of the match so far.
"Nonna smiled gently into the radio. "That isn't like you, Clara. Do not despair, our devotion to Lady Katyusha will carry us onward"
"Yes, Nonna" came Clara's reinvigorated reply.
Descending into her vehicle, Nonna nodded at her driver. Her vehicle pushed north, pursuing the Tiger.
-Transition-
The KV-85
Valerya sat on her vehicle awaiting the retrieval teams to come for her vehicle. She sprawled out across the turret, stretching and staring into the sky. The night's clouds had disappeared and a starry sky presented itself to her. Kaiser's last orders resonated within her mind.
"Prevent any maneuvers from the north and our rear until I can reconnoiter" he had said. Then upon hearing her report of combat with Nonna he changed it. "Stall her till I come no matter what, then bait her into pursuing me."
Naturally, her response at first was, 'How could I possibly do that?'. Unfettered he answered, "Knowing you, you'll find a way. Even in defeat, I wouldn't be surprised unless you couldn't do it, Val."
The memory of his absurd order caused a smile to sprawl across her lips. 'His first compliment to me and he even used my nickname' she thought. 'Though it was backhanded' she griped mentally.
As she lay staring upwards and giggling she noticed the moon's red grip on the sky had slowly begun receding. Its original white glow began to return in strength.
-End Chapter-