Authors Thought:
Hello, sorry for the delay, this chapter prove difficult in terms of where I wanted it to go and certain scenes I thought about scraping because I didn't want to slam so much into one chapter. Yet I settle on having to make it into two parts, that way I can get everything I need in, especially a lot POV's. Thanks for your patience with me, hopefully, will have another chapter up this weekend, but till then, again thank you for coming by to read.
Till Next Authors Thought.
The morning air was chilled and quiet, the skies clear of any clouds with the sun shining proudly over the landscape, but even with nothing to shield its warm rays, the cold bite of winter hung over the arctic expanse. As below the sun lay the gently sloping grounds and small forests that were completely covered in deep snow. The winter wonderland seem to spread forever from someone on the ground level or even on a small hill.
While the small forest areas were spread all over the grounds, their trees were bare of their leaves that hid from the chill, with frost stealing its place, covering each tree branch in pure white. In the distance, large mountains that rose high over the plains were blanketed in snow as well, while in a few places the jagged black rocks poke out, a popular place for visitors to hike when they came to this winter landscape.
Though one would be surprised for a first-timer to know this very place that exuded the winter spirit was based on an island, a Russian own island by the name of Sakhalin, located along the 50th parrel of the Earth's equatorial plane. With this very site being one of the few neutral match grounds around the world that hosted the Japanese Sensha-do matches in the Agreement of Nations pact made in 1994, that allow Japan to ask for permission from other nations to host their matches, the small start of trying to expand Sensha-do to the world, though they were met with mostly polite no's, they found certain Island nations, Russia, and Morocco eager to help add jungle, winter, and desert environments, that took time to create due to wildlife preservations efforts with the actual first matches being played not until 2001.
Yet in the end, the agreements had helped open the door to Sensha-do to the world, while all proceeds of the matches were shared with the nations that allow Japan's sport onto their country's soil in good faith that they were used for humanitarian efforts. With more nations as of late agreeing to host matches in the future, with Canada, America, and Germany at the forefront of these operations as Sensha-do was really starting to make itself past the land of the rising sun.
However, that was the future and this was the now.
With now this wintery expanse playing host to a contested battle of Kuromorimine Girls Academy and BC Freedom Academy who were trading blows as their shot for the Semi-Final was right in front of them, but who was to take it?
Is anybody's guess….
XxxxX
"Damn, what is Lady Marie playing at?" Koume ask in frustration, as she scan with her binoculars from her vantage point across the snowy landscape, with the chill in the air making her have to make small body movements to stay warm.
Currently, she was scanning for any enemy movement from her position up top of a bell tower of a small prop-built brick church of a 20th-century European design, that sat by itself alone looking across an open plain, with a small village behind it. A forest was located some 1200 meters by Koume's guess from the church, while near the church itself were only an odd collection of huts and a large barn for cover.
It was here that Koume had placed her platoon, known by the affectionate nickname of Bush-Mädchen, or Bush Gals, since Koume practiced having her tanks be cover branches and bushes for concealment. Though this environment didn't allow for that since branches were bare, so they and all of the team had simply recolored the tanks to all white for winter camouflage.
"Hey, Koume? Want some hot cocoa? Straight off the cooker," a voice call out to Koume.
Koume turn to look down at her subordinate who had just finished ascending the steps to the tower in her fellow tank commander Kiragaya. She was dressed in the Kuromorimine winter kit, as the team wasn't about to head into battle in the cold wearing skirts or their usual tankery jackets. The winter kit was simple and durable in its design, with an all-black Military field jacket with red trim, along with their school's iron cross on the left breast. Matching black thermal trousers accompany their uniform, with black boots to match, all and all it was a well-appreciated dress for all the Kuromorimine girls that were kept mostly warm for the battle.
"Thanks, Kiragaya," Koume said gratefully, as she received the warm drink from her subordinate.
Each of them took a sip, the hot cocoa warming them up as the two continue to stare off into the wintery expanse, then Kiragaya spoke up. "Anything?"
Koume shook her head with frustration. "No, darn it all. BC Freedom goes all out at the start of the match, then folds the minute we counter-attack."
"Yea, strange for sure," Kiragaya said, then took a sip of her hot cocoa.
The match had started with Erika having ordered Koume forward to scout for the enemy, but instead of the more conservative approach Erika had thought BC Freedom might go with, they instead launch an attack with their Souma 35s, M10 tanks, and M5 Sturats. Hitting the entire Kuromorimine, but Erika didn't let the shock of the opening attack faze her, taking advantage of the open and sturdy ground available to them to launch a counterattack, yet the BC Freedom advance guard quickly retreated before the might of the mighty Panzers, leaving Kuromorimine wondering why such a brash attack right off the bat.
"More than strange, they're up to something. We've had no contact with them for an hour since that attack, I don't want to drag this fight out," Koume said hotly.
"Yea, I ain't keen for a night fight if that happens, they say the temperatures could drop well below negative Celsius temperature out here," Kiragaya added, making herself shiver at the very thought of spending the night in that sort of cold.
Though Koume was going to reassure her teammate looking at her now. "Don't worry Kiragaya, I'm sure BC Freedom is just as fearful about that happening. They want to finish this with the sun up, which means their probably probing our lines for a weak point so they can get to the flag tank."
Which made Kiragaya huff a little. "I like to see them try and take down Commander Itsumi in the Tiger and that's even if they get past our lines of guns."
"True, I'm sure they're going to honor the unwritten rule of whoever started the attack, needs to finish the attack, but we can't just rely on our tank's heavy armor. This snow is playing havoc on our Panthers and heavy tanks, even your Panzer 4 almost lost it on that icy road," Koume commented.
Kiragaya shook her head at the memory from the earlier march. " I know, didn't think the roads would be so slippery and even some of the woods are too dense for anything but our Panzer 4's and Imura's Panzer 3 to get through. I don't get why Commander Itsumi kept her in the rear, she is better served in our platoon."
"Erika's got a plan, I know it, we just have to trust her," Koume said, her voice all but telling of her loyalty to her commander.
Causing Kiragaya to smile slyly. "My, my, calling the commander by her first name, guess you two gotten close this year."
"Ah!" Koume said, with a bright blush warming her cheeks. "Well, yea…were friends and were ok with calling each other by first names."
"It's hard to imagine you two being friends since the two of you were always at odds last year. Most of the time it was over Miss Miho though," Kiragaya said, while remembering the past.
A deep thoughtful look crossed Koume's face, remembering that time when she and Erika could barely be in the same room at the time. For Koume had never in her life had problems getting along with others, but Erika had proven to be that one person she couldn't get along with. The entirety of the stand-off was over Miho most of the time, as Koume would make excuses for her whenever there was a mistake on the field, with Erika the first to come over and berate the youngest Nishizumi sister.
Maho of course stepped in if she were present, making Erika back down since she didn't want trouble with her commander she greatly respected, even worship at times. Yet there was no stopping the sliver hair girl when they weren't on the training grounds, sometimes even mocking Miho, but all the while Koume would jump in and guide Miho away from it. Make a subtle comment about Erika's less than stellar performances on the practice ground, which send her into a rage much to Koume's delight.
Yet, it was when Miho left Kuromorimine that was what had brought them closer together. As Maho herself change as well, being more open and forthcoming with all of the team. In turn making Koume and Erika do away with their butting of heads, so that they would strive to do all they could to support Maho with the goal in mind to make Miho see all the good she left behind. There were many girls within the team who also deeply respected Miho, but always held her at arm's length due to her prodigy nature, seeing her as the next star commander of their school, not the frightened little girl trying to lift the heavy legacy of success her family place on her.
At the end of it all, every girl had seen they were wrong to view her as such, especially now with Miho leading Chi-Ha-Tan to heights unseen. Though what most had grasped about their former teammate's success, was that she had a whole team supporting from simple bow gunners to tank commanders, Miho could rely on all of them to have her back, something the very girls of Kuromorimine hadn't fully grasped in terms of team spirit. Which was another part of the change for Kuromorimine's team as they strive to work more closely with one another, understand their faults and fears, turning them into strength.
Even with all that talk of strength in our Sensha-do style that is a trademark of Kuromorimine, it was only this year that we are finally discovering it...strange how things work like that...
Koume thought with a smile, then turn to Kiragaya. "Erika and I had our differences, but we figure them out because we both wanted to fight and show Miho what Kuromorimine should have been all along. It's only a shame we need to be on opposite sides of the battle lines, but when we meet Chi-Ha-Tan in the final, will make sure to fight with all we have."
"Hmph," Kiragaya said with approval. "Now that is a match I'm dying to get into. Besides, were the real Tigresses here, our nickname should be Tigress Corps."
"Yea…you try and say that to those Chi-Ha-Tan girls and see what happens. I've seen their Vice commander Tamada almost go ballistic on Erika because she thought she was bullying Miho before the National Drawing," Koume said with a shake of the head, while putting the hot coca down, while scanning with her binoculars again at the tree line far away.
"I heard about that, I can settle for a catfight," Kiragaya joke.
"Let's not, Erika is more than willing, but she's no fighter like Miss Tamada," Koume said.
"Oh?" Kiragaya said slyly. "Ye of little faith. Commander Itsumi hits the punching bags every day, so I say why not let them fight it out."
"Let's focus on the fight here, please," Koume said, wanting her subordinate to get focus. "BC Freedom Academy will make a move soon and with their new tanks we can't take them lightly."
"True, though it has to be said, how the heck did they get M4 Shermans, M5 Sturats, and M10 Tank Destroyers?" Kiragaya ask, taking another sip of her cocca.
"Heck if I know, maybe they got funding?" Koume suggested.
"The same could be said of Bellwall, they had T-34/85's and a KV-2 with them, when the scouting report didn't report them having any other Soviet tank other than a T-44," Kiragaya said, her voice carrying quiet accusation.
Which Koume pick up on, dropping her binoculars, and turn to her friend once more. "Are you suggesting something?"
Kiragaya just shrug a little. "All I'm saying is that teams we have facing are getting better tanks right before the match, it feels like we got a target on our back or something."
"Well," Koume said trailing off a little. "Maybe it's time for us to stop relying on our heavy armor and firepower to win the day. It's not like we're blind to it, we know our German tanks have far outclassed anything other schools have besides Pravda. Maybe other teams are sick of not being able to compete not because they themselves are deficient in training or ability, but because they don't have the firepower and armor to deal with teams like us."
"That would be the logical answer, heck, it's the reason I came here because I wanted to command the best tanks in the league. I wanted a Panther, but I've come to appreciate the Wehrmacht's workhorse in the Panzer 4," Kiragaya said with a happy nod.
"Well, were the forward element of the team, which mean's having a big tank can be a problem. Their lower profile makes them easier for scouting, as well as their guns that can hit hard when they need to," Koume commented.
"Sure, not to mention we hold the highest accuracy score out of all platoons," Kiragaya added.
"Yep, it's why…" Koume trailed off, as a sudden flash from the tree line from their position, caught her eye.
Everything happen in a flash, as Koume turn and tackle Kiragaya to the ground, making the subordinate yelp, while losing her cup of cocoa that fell onto the ground, its hot contents wasted onto the wood floor. Though that was the least of the girl's worries, as the sudden shockwave of an explosive shell reverberated all around them. The snow covering the church was shaken free, while snow on the ground near the explosion was sent high into the air to rain back down. Yet all the while Koume kept her body over Kiragaya to protect her from any harm, as Koume thought there would be more angry shells flying in their direction.
However, like a monsoon, the shockwave came and then was gone, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air.
Thinking it was safe enough, Koume raise herself up a little while looking down at Kiragaya. "Are you alright?"
"Ye…ye…yea…," Kiragaya stutter out, fear all over her face.
"Your ok, your ok," Koume soothe her friend while touching her face with a gloved hand for comfort, then spoke. "Can you get up?"
Kiragaya nodded her head and rose to a kneeling position next to Koume, as the two poke their heads over the balcony to the white expanse. They caught sight of the drifting snow to their left, as the shell had impacted near a shed, but no damage had been done. While the quiet was hanging over the air as the echo of the shot faded from the enemy tank who had fired only one shot.
Only one shell? Do they know we're here? Are they just testing us? What the hell are they up to?
Koume thought as she try to piece together the strange behavior of her opponent. Then it suddenly hit her, as frantically touch her throat microphone. "Koume here, platoon hol-."
She wasn't allowed to finish as a cannon blast from her own platoon thundered into the air. A tracer shell spew across the icy air in fury, aim directly for the tree line the muzzle flash was seen. Yet the range was off, as Koume watch the shell slam many meters from the trees and into the snowy ground, causing no damage, but giving away their position by firing.
Koume growl a little, touching her throat microphone again. "Platoon hold fire! They're trying to bait us!"
"Sorry! That was me!" Nonaka reply over the net frantically.
"It's alright, hold fire. They might be trying to range us, alternate to back positions before they range in," Koume order over the net, then turn to Kiragaya. "Get back to your tank, load up AP, we got a fight in front of us."
"Roger," Kiragaya said with a salute, then proceeded down the steps of the church tower, with Koume right behind her.
Once the two were on the ground level, they separated and quickly to make their way to their respective tanks. Koume's boots crunch into the snow with every step that seem to become faster, as the adrenaline was at an all-time high. Fear of more shells flying through the air was part of it, as she was out in the open, but also the fact that they might finally be getting into a duel excited Koume more.
She rounded a small house to find her big cat waiting for her. Situated in a defile near a shack, was her Panther G, its hull was completely shielded due to the depression in the ground, while its deadly 75 mm KwK42 was pointed in the direction of the woods. Painted in all white to help stay conceal in the winter landscape, there still was the impressive black iron cross of their school on the side of the turret, telling all of the prestige of Kuromorimine.
Koume felt a smile tug at her face seeing her tank, knowing she had been given this tank to command by Maho herself, so even if their former commander wasn't here, Koume felt like she was carrying her spirit with her. Only making Koume train harder to make sure she didn't let Maho down, because when they won the Victory Flag this year, she along with the entire team would yell their loyalty to the Nishizumi family that would never waver. While sticking it to their new headmaster as well, who have to just grit his teeth and bear it.
Yet that was a dream and Koume could only make it a reality if she kept her mind in the present.
Finally reaching her tank, Koume saw her driver Euiko outside the tank, standing on the back of the tank behind the turret over the engine block. She had opened the small compartment area that allow her to look down into the engine block area, Koume could see her driver looking over things with a precise eye as she walk up.
"Everyhting good Euiko?" Koume ask.
Her driver look up from her work with a smile, then nodded to Koume as she spoke. "She's purring Koume, kept the engine idling so we can keep the oils warm for her, but really can't afford to sit around too much more without giving her some RPM's to keep the engine from shutting off."
That made Koume nod in approval, knowing that the cold was just as much of an enemy to them as BC Freedom, even with improvements to tank building to meet requirements for Sensha-do, they still could suffer from the same mechanical problems that had plagued nations in the war, which went double for Kuromorimine, whose more advance German tanks were the main culprit of these problems.
"Good, I'm sure you heard those BC girls take a pop shot at us, so will definitely be moving. Get to your position," Koume ordered.
Euiko nodded, then close the hatch over the engine block are and secured it. As she climb back over the tank to her driver area, Koume climb up her tank, thankful that her gloves were on and not touching the cold metal directly, she settle herself into the commanders cupola. Then sat down in her seat, while taking in the sight of her crew inside. They were all in their assigned positions, but definitely not happy sitting in the cold, even with their winter gear.
"Everyone, thanks for hanging in there, but we're going into action soon, ready up," Koume order.
Her crewmates made their nods, telling her they were more than ready to get into a fight, probably looking forward to it warming them up. Which made Koume happy, as she lean up in her cupola with her binoculars in hand. Quickly she began to scan for any enemy movement in the treeline to their front, but still the eerie quiet now hung over the field. Making Koume anxious about what to do, as she didn't like the mind games BC Freedom was playing with them, she just wanted a standup fight.
Then again, if I was them, I be smarter than just launching a head-on attack, we have platoons ready to reinforce our lines if need be…could they be moving to our rear? A holding action, while they flank around? If I move they might catch sight of it and fire at me while my sides on to them…what do I do?
Koume thought to herself, squeezing her binoculars in hand tightly, then touch her throat microphone to talk over the crew net. "Euiko, how's our oil levels?"
"At optimal levels, the engine should be fine. Where ever you need to move I'm ready," Euiko responded.
"Good. Nagano," Koume called to her gunner. "Did you catch that muzzle flash from earlier?"
"Sorry, was too busy trying to keep myself warm. I only bury myself in the sights after the sound of the shot, you think they're launching another hit and run attack?" Nagano ask over the net.
"Most likely, keep ready on the trigger," Koume order.
"Koume," Anri, Koume's bow gunner and radio operator call out. "I have a net call from the commander coming in."
"Patch me to her," Koume order.
Soon enough Erika's voice came over the net. "Koume, I heard that rumble earlier, are you engaged with the enemy?"
"No Erika," Koume said, forgoing the proper way to address her commander. "It was a pop shot at best, they're probing us I think."
"Damn, if this were more stable ground, I just would have run them through with our formations," Erika grumble.
Making Koume smile, knowing Erika was not one to fight defensively. "Don't worry, your defensive plan is just as solid as General Von Manteuffel at the battle of Targu Frumos."
"I hope so..," Erika seem to want to say more.
"Erika, don't worry about keeping with old traditions or any of that. Fight as you think is best, because no matter what you're honoring the Nishizumi style with any action you take," Koume encourage.
A small amuse huff from Erika came over the net. "Yeah…your right…thanks Koume, you have been my saving grace since I took command. It was easy back in the auditorium to sound confident, but on the battlefield now, I feel nothing but nervousness and I fear showing it. I don't know how Miho stays calm and she had those tiny Japanese tanks to boot."
"What can we say. Miho was always a natural commander even if she never saw it herself with us, but I know you can do this, we're only getting started here Erika," Koume said resolutely.
"Yea, I got it. Can't miss our date with Chi-Ha-Tan can we? Alright stay put in position, let BC-," Erika began but was suddenly drowned out by a call out on the net for Koume.
Incoming artillery, please close all hatches.
"What!?" Koume said, then dip low in her cupola, while cranking her hatch to the closed position.
"They wasting their artillery on us?!" Nagano said, with her head buried in the sights, her right leg bumping up nervously.
"I don't know, our platoon is spread out, there's no way they'll hit us all," Koume said, looking through her front periscope at what was happening.
"Koume! What's going on!?" Erika ask over the net.
"I don't know myself! I'll keep you posted!" Koume said, cutting the net call as she needed to focus on what was happening.
Then like a sudden bolt of lightning striking the ground, the scream of the first falling artillery shell landed in front of the church. The high explosive shell slam into the ground, with the resulting explosion sending huge swaths of ice and dirt into the air, while it wasn't long before its companion shells began to rain down hellish fury, smashing hard into the earth. Though the initial barrage was well away from Koume by her guess 100 meters, making her wonder if the enemy operator got the range wrong.
However, the shockwaves of the blast still were felt by Koume and her crew, as their tank shook with every shell. Her crew grit teeth and held onto whatever to remain stable as the shells kept raining down faster and faster, as the unseen artillery crews went to work like mad women to keep their fire mission up.
"Their way off the mark," Koume commented, as the tank shook again from the artillery barrage.
"Um…call me crazy…but does that barrage seem to be creeping up to us," Nagano said, watching from her gunner's sight.
Koume now watching through her front periscope intently as the artillery barrage seem to come closer and closer to them. It was astounding as Koume was sure by a glace that her platoon was just out of range, but that wouldn't be the case as the incoming shells pounded closer to them. The shockwaves became more violent as well, making the Panther shake side to side, with Koume and her crew having to weather it as best they could.
Something about this is definitely wrong…the barrage is creeping up to us…is that possible?...Did we miss something in the rule book…
The troubling thoughts plague Koume as she watch the explosions come closer and closer, wearing on her nerves more and more seeing the huge explosions and feeling the awful and devastating power of the artillery. Koume had felt the impact of enemy cannon shells bouncing off her tank or landing near her, but something about artillery scared her more than anything even as a veteran of Sensha-do she was. The pure psychological effect was definitely felt for Koume, but their was nothing to do but bear with it.
While doing her job as a platoon leader, Koume touch her throat microphone, opening up the platoon tank commander net. "All tanks, stay in your backup positions. The barrage is creeping up on us, but the time limit has to be almost up, we just need to bear it. Be ready for an enemy attack once it's over, keep your fire discipline to your zones we went over."
"Roger!" Her platoon agree, making Koume smile.
Then the barrage was on them, the huge explosive shells raining around them with no mercy. Koume grab onto her seat to stay steady as her tank rocked harder than before. Shells rattle on the ready racks around the tank, almost begging to be set free, a box of machine gun ammo shook loose and fell onto the ground with the many non-lethal bullets spreading across the floor. Some of Koume's crew had mementos attached to the inside hull of the tank, being in the form of pictures of their families or friends, or medals they earn. They too were shaken loose from their holdings as the artillery barrage violently did its job.
As thunderous as the storm was, it was suddenly gone. The Panther stop shaking, the battering was done, and nothing but the quiet now fill the void once more. Koume had her eyes closed the entire time, but now open them slowly. Rapidly she turn to look down at her crew members, who for the most part were rattled a little, but without need for orders, were already making sure shells were secure on the ready racks, machine gun ammo was picked up from the floor, and they recover thier mementos.
Nodding her head to her trusty and hardy crew memebers, Koume open her hatch to poke her head up. Clouds of snow hung in the air still, but were dissipating quickly, while Koume check around her tank from her vantage point, seeing they had been spared any blast close to them. Craters were situated all around them, much to Koume's relief that the artillery hadn't hit them directly.
Touching her throat microphone, Koume spoke over the net. "Platoon, sound off!"
A round of replies came in quickly.
"Kirigaya here, tank and crew good!"
"Mihara here, tank and crew good!"
"Nonaka here, bad news, the tank is inoperable. Artillery shell landed right behind us and flip our tank over."
Panic grip Koume. "Nonaka, is anyone hurt!?"
"Were good, carbon lining kept my girls safe. A few bruises to boast about, buts that's it," Nonaka said cheerfully in an attempt to calm her platoon leader.
Making Koume take a breath and offer thanks that her friends weren't hurt, then spoke over the net. "Alright, lay low till the Federation tow truck arrives."
"What the hell was that though?" Kirigaya said over the net. "I thought artillery was supposed to strike stationary."
Giving it some thought for a moment, it hit Koume. "A creeping barrage…."
"A what?" Mihara ask.
"It's a World War One tactic, have an artillery barrage creep ahead of the infantry to cover them so they could close in on the enemy trench," Koume explain.
"Well this ain't the first great war, besides that was never mentioned as a way we could use artillery in matches," Kiryaga complain.
"Then again, there was no rule that said we couldn't," Koume reply, as again the new era of Sensha-do was showing it needed its girls to think more outside the box.
Then Koume spoke again over the net. "The enemy is most likely attacking now, ready up. They use the barrage to most likely close the distance, hold fire till you can see your target, the snow clouds should just about to dissipate."
"Roger!" Her remaining platoon memebers said.
Now switching her net back to her crew, Koume spoke. "Alright, be ready crew. Enemy to our front."
"Koume," Anri call over the crew net. "Commander Itsumi is sending Platoon leader Kojima to us, orders are to hold the enemy assault while our lines our reorganize for a counter strike."
"Understo-," Koume try to say.
A sudden tracer shell came flying through the snow clouds and scream wide of the Panther tanks and impacted well behind it. Though it miss, the fury was followed up by red machine gun tracers cutting through the air, splashing wildly all over the place, some hitting the Panther, passing it, or around the snow-covered ground. Koume instantly drop low in the cupola, as some of the tracers pounded her tank.
"Contact front!" Nagano scream from her gunner chair, while stepping on the secondary pedal to unleash their Panthers coaxial machine gun spewing green tracers back in revenge.
"Don't! You're giving away our position! Their shooting blind!" Koume ordered her gunner.
Realizing her error, Nagano quickly step off the pedel, the earlier artillery fire had made her antsy to get back at her foe and had made a miscalculation.
An error that prove costly.
"Does anyone have eyes on!?" Koume ask over the platoon net.
"Uh…Searching," Kigarya said, then went silent for a mommnet, her voice came back over the net softly and fill with terror. "Thiers no way…they can't have that tank… it's not possible…."
"Kigarya, report!" Koume said over the net.
"I…uh…we have contact…800 meters out…it's…it's an M4A3E2 Jumbo," Kigayara said in a fearful tone.
The report shocked Koume beyond words, as she whip her binoculars out to scan her front. Sure enough, their rolling over the snow was America's answer to the German cats, with all its heavy sloped armor, its near-impenetrable turret with extra armor on the gun mantlet to boot, was a Sherman that have every right to be feared. Though what made it more terrifying was that BC Freedom Academy didn't have them on the tank roster before or ever in their history, yet here they were color in a white and blue color scheme, sporting the French theme academies logo on their turrets, with a green spade on the side of their hulls.
There were 3 M4A3E2 in total coming on with no fear of their foe, making Koume growl to herself. Her gun couldn't penetrate their front plate glacis she knew, only the sides were vulnerable. Her remaining Panzer 4's were definitely not going to penetrate the tank from the front with their lower velocity 75mm guns and they were vulnerable to the M4A3E2 M3 Cannon as the distance got closer.
"Thiers no way…," Koume said trailing off, yet got focused on her task as she spoke over the platoon net. "All tanks, I want a fighting retreat! We're going to regroup with Kojima, her Jagpanthers longer 88's can punch a hole in those Jumbos!"
"Roger!" Koume's platoon responded.
Now Koume switch back to her crew net. "Euiko, reverse full speed when I say, we can't expose ourselves yet. Nagano, the enemy is at 700 meters now, aim for the middle tank in the line."
"Our guns not going to penetrate that armor, should we try a bounce shot under them like Miho did in that match against Saunders?" Nagano ask, while working her elevation handle to get the distance right.
Koume grimace a little. "That won't work, the snow will absorb the shell. That only works on solid ground, we're just going to have to do our best drawing them into a trap."
"Got it," Nagano said in a disgrunted tone, then got the tip of the triangle aiming reticle on the Jumbo as she press the firing trigger. "On the way!"
The 75 mm KwK42 roar out its shell as the gun recoil, the tracer shell flying back at the foe that had been battering them with machine gunfire. Nagano prove why she was one of the finer gunners in the team, smashing the shell dead center on the first try, but prove to be nothing but an annoyance to the middle Jumbo as shell bounced with a spark up and away, showing off its American muscle built design was nothing to sneer at.
"Damn, that's kind of annoying not being able to one-shot kill something," Nagano growl, as she work the elevation gear lower.
Miyano, the loader of the tank, had a fresh shell in hand and shove it home into the breach as soon as the spent shell was ejected. "Loaded!"
"Steady Nagano!" Koume order, doing her job as a tank commander. "Aim for the middle Jumbo again, bring the gun slightly right, aim for the track, at least we can stop their advance."
"Roger," Nagano said, working the handwheel traverse to fine-tune her aim.
While this was happening, the rest of Koume's platoon fire their cannons as they reversed through the village, using the buildings for cover. Yet the Panzer 4's 75mm KwK40, though reliable, was nothing but a pester for the Sherman Jumbo's pressing forward, who shrug the shells off. Then the Shermans unleash their own cannon fire, hitting the buildings with their armor-piercing shells that puncture holes into the wooden walls, shatter glass windows, and cause havoc for the remaining Panzer 4's.
"Damn, we're in a bad spot," Koume growl, then touch her throat microphone. "Nagano, are you on!?"
"On!"
"Put a shell into that track!" Koume order.
"On the way!" Nagano call out.
Another bark of the cannon release an angry shell at the intended target. The trees around Koume's tank shook from the powerful blast of the shell, that traveled over the open space and hit the target, with Nagano proving her gunnery skills. Her shell smash the front of one of the Jumbo's tracks, tearing it apart violently leaving its expose suspension wheels and bogies to grind into the snow, causing the Jumbo to turn slightly and stop.
"Good hit! Load AP, Euiko reverse us out of this position," Koume order, while looking behind her to make sure nothing was in the way.
"Loaded!" Miyano said.
Euiko quickly work her position like a pro, disengaging the brake, then shifting the tank into reverse gear. Once her start procedures were over, she hit the pedal hard to get their tank moving in reverse out of their hull-down position with thier engine roaring loudly. Koume look back and forth, making sure to guide her driver out, though at the same time keep an eye on the encroaching Jumbo's on their position.
"Keep steady Euiko, your doing good!" Koume said over the net, looking to her rear.
"Koume watch out!" Kigayara called over the net to her platoon leader.
The sudden call out, made Koume snap her eyes to her front, only to feel the sudden shake of her tank being punched by an enemy cannon shell. Instantly the high screech of the shell on metal fill the ear, making Koume cover her ears, while her teeth clench together. Yet for all the fury the shell had, it bounce off the front plate of the Panthers sloped armor due to the M3 cannon's low velocity, but its effects were felt by the crew.
Koume shook her head, but her ears were ringing badly, yet nothing was going to stop her from regaining her composure as a veteran of Sensha-do, as she spoke over the net. "Keep reversing! They can't pen us, wait for my order to stop!"
"Roger!" Euiko said, having felt the shell bouncing the most out of anyone in her position at the front of the tankk, but press on like her tank commander.
Though Nagano once more lost her composure, as work the gun's elevation to the remaining two advancing Jumbo's. Even as the reticle bounced as the Panther traversed over uneven ground, making the gun jump around since it didn't have a stabilizer, Nagano could care less, as her pride as a gunner wanted to fire on the move and make Koume's job easier.
"On the way!" Nagono yell.
The Panther's gun recoiled again as it let loose its fury, yet Nagano had paid for breaking the cardinal rule of their team to never fire on the move unnecessarily. As the uneven movement of the tank had thrown the aiming reticle off, the shell flew over the heads of the Jumbo's and into the tree line behind them, making Nagano curse under her breath for the miss.
"Hold fire! Were moving and unstable!" Koume yell over the net.
"Sorry!" Nagano reply with embarrassment over her actions.
"It's alright Nagano, you're a good gunner, just keep your cool. I'll put us into a position to make sure you can show why you're the best in the team," Koume commented, hoping to cool her friend down.
"Heh, you got it Koume, thanks," Nagano reply, feeling herself become stable.
While Koume felt a headache coming on, having to deal with this sudden attack and managing the skirmish as a whole. It took a lot out of her, but that was her job as an officer in the ranks, especially as the second in command behind Erika.
"Alright, keep reversing Euiko, will ma-," Koume began to order.
Yet once more she was cut off as a host of shells slam against the Panther's frontal armor, each one feeling like a metal punch being delivered. Koume shook in her cupola, trying to hang on as she was tossed around along with her crew. Even with the initial volley over, another volley smash into the Panther, this time with one shell taking off the left track, while the other's smashed into the gun mantlet, while again Koume lower herself in the cupola as the horrid screeching of metal on metal wane on her nerves.
Are they trying to batter us into submission?!
Koume thought, raising her head up to look through her front periscope. She could see the Shermans were all aiming for her, at the same time loading and firing their guns, the ease of the Sherman design wasn't just their durability, but the ease of loading as well, allowing a fire rate of 1 shell every 5 seconds for a well train loader. Which in turn was making Koume's life hell as the Shermans focus fire on her, bouncing their rounds continuously as if their lives depended on it.
"Dammit! They're trying to beat us down! They took out our track!" Euiko yell from her driver's position over the screaming shells.
"Koume! Were coming to support!" Kiragaya yell over the net.
"No! Retreat back to Kojima! My tracks out! Take command for me, I'll hold them off!" Koume yell back over the net.
"I…I…I understand…sorry…," Kiragaya said, her voice quivering with rage and sadness, but would follow her orders to the letter.
Koume nodded, knowing there was nothing left but to finish her fight, as a thought came to her, Sorry Erika, you're going to have to do this without me…
Focusing herself, Koume handed orders down to her crew. "Nagano, we're going to be holding off the enemy, lets's try to take a track off one of the other Jumbo's, traverse left!"
"Roger!" Nagano said, then work the power traverse pedal to get their turret moving to the left. "Damn! Koume I need your guidance, one of their shells crack my glass optic a little."
"Got it!...steady…on! 500 meters!" Koume call out.
Wheeling the elevation of the gun down, Nagano found her foe. "On target!...on the way!"
Once more the Panthers roar its defiance to the foe, spewing a hot shell forth. Yet was short as the shell slammed in front of the creeping Jumbo's, spraying them with snow from the impact, but nothing more than an annoyance.
"Short! Up 10! Hit 'em again!" Koume order.
Yet as her gunner work to elevate quickly, Koume watch through the hailstorm of lead being thrown at her, to the treeline further behind. Like earlier, a sudden flash appear again, but larger. Koume watch for what felt like a long-drawn-out moment as an enemy shell came flying past the Jumbos for her tank.
It slam into the mantlet of the Panther, but unlike the American guns that had been battering it earlier, this shell hit with such ferocity that had been nothing Koume had ever felt before, even being shot by her own team's most powerful cannons in practice. In one moment everything shook violently, then it was over, with Koume sitting in her chair breathing heavy, her eyes wide, and her heart pounding hard as if it might burst from her chest.
She didn't need to look outside to know it.
To know her Panther was now no longer standing proud, its deadly gun was depress all the way down to tell of its defeat, for the proud Panther and her crew had been given a taste of French fury unlike anything ever felt before in Sensha-do's long history. Koume had been the unfortunate victim of the debut of this new tank destroyer that make all bow before it, just as it might have done in World War 2, if only time had been given to it to be built.
Yet Koume knew none of this, as she quickly check on her crew, while praying that her team would find a way to win, as this was proving to be a match that Kuromorimine was no longer able to rely on their armor and guns to overpower the foe, it was going to take everything they had to win, as the new era was not kind to even a top 4 team.
XxxxX
A low whistle left the lips of Andou, who was situated in her tank, the Souma 35 calvary tank. Sitting on the fold-out door behind the turret, allowing her to sit comfortably while looking through her binoculars to the battle happening around the Church and small village. She was dressed in her team's winter gear of an all-blue winter field jacket and matching thermal pants, black boots, and their signature Kepi hat.
"Zut," Andou cursed in French. "That 90mm SA45 cannon is the real deal, can even kill a Panther at this range, heck we might even be able to bag us a King Tiger."
"It is like the fruit puree that makes for the finishing touch to our Charlotte cake, giving the much needed final touch to our team," Lady Marie said dressed as well in her team's winter gear with an exquisite scarf around her neck, while having a piece of said Charlottle cake while sitting on the back of her FT-17 tank, with a nice comfy pillow under her.
Turning around Andou let out an embarrassed smile. "I guess I can see the resemblance, though I think we should find a more powerful flavor to compare these ARL-44's too."
"I'm sure the chefs can solve that problem Miss Andou, though I much rather have a taste of your chocolate Takiya," Marie said happily, with a little whip cream on the side of her mouth.
Should I say something?... Nah mouth cleaning is Oshida's domain…I got to keep focus on the battle…and making more sweets for my Lady
Andou thought, then spoke. "I shall make some right after this match. Please pull back a little to your escorts, while we initiate the plan and then follow us in."
"Very well, please see it through," Lady Marie said joyfully, but then her eyes turn serious for a mommnet. "Letting everyone down would be my greatest unhappiness."
The ominous words made Andou feel uneasy. As Marie rarely show any emotion besides bubbly happiness, mostly over cakes, but rarely did she frown or spoke her own worries. A carefree soul in every sense of the word, but this sentence had all but conveyed the worries of a commander over doing something many critics thought impossible and beating Kuromorimine that had been weighing on the whole team. Just a simple sentence, just a gaggle of words, but every one of them resonated with Andou's heart, knowing she had a duty to see this through for Maire.
"Mon commandant, I shall see this through and make your genius know to all the world," Andou said, dropping the binoculars while placing her right fist over her heart.
Marie turn back to her jovial self and nodded to her subordinate, then wave her spoon to the rear, ordering her driver to back their tank up behind their attack force. Once she was out of sight, Andou turn back to her front with binoculars in hand, watching the action die down. The Sherman Jumbos had stopped their advance, as one of them was fixing their tracks. Looking past them, Andou spotted the remaining Panzer 4's making a break for the rear.
Andou wasn't about to let that happen.
"Narumi, Panzer 4's in the open 11 o'clock, 1300 meters," Andou ordered to her teammate with her wired communicator.
"Yes, yes, I see them, platoon leader," Narumi reply over the net, her tone sounding annoyed a bit, then began to hand down orders to crew, as she commanded BC Freedom's newest addition to the roster in the ARL-44 with an all-white paint scheme, with a green spade painted on either side of the turret.
Making Andou frown a little, since Narumi was part of the Escalator faction of students, who were all girls who came from well off families, compare to Andou and the Examination faction who were from middle or poor class backgrounds, who had to earn their spot at BC Freedom through scholarships. Marie for this battle had instead of the usual keeping the factions in separate battle groups, had decided to further squash the faction system by integrating mixed brigades, with Andou and Oshido leading each.
We should be lucky we got our fighting each other out of our systems during practice…well mostly…
Andou thought, as she kept a retort from coming out of her mouth. Then focus on her front with her binoculars watching the Panzer 4's trying to get away. It was strange to Andou to see Kuromorimine of all teams on the retreat, having never shown their backs to their opponents in any fight, but here was Andou's team doing that to them, which only excited her further that they may very well might achieve the impossible.
This excitement in Andou's heart was enhanced as the ARL-44 let loose its 90mm cannon, its tremendous force caused the trees around them to shake, making much of the snow drop off their branches. Andou watch through her binoculars as the tracer shell flew true past their teammates and hit one of the retreating Panzer 4's in the rear, making the poor tank subjected to the fury to lurch forward from the powerful shell then spin out of control. Smoke rose from the batter engine block, with a white kill flag following in the wake of the destruction.
"Good hit! Nice shooting!" Andou shouted, with a grin spreading.
"Thanks, Miss Andou, though you're the one who made this bold attack plan that work out with no casualties and breaking Kuromorimine's advance guard. Guess Miss Oshida was right about you when she said you could be trusted," Narumi said, sounding please with herself.
"Well it did take learning to live together to finally get her to see reason," Andou said back over the net, then let a thought cross her mind, well living together as lovers did help crush our grudges more than anything
"Whatever the case, I respect Miss Oshida's opinion and we do need to work together if we want to make sure Miss Azumi sees that BC Freedom will once more be part of the top four and our Lady Marie is seen as the genius commander she is," Narumi reply, the vigor in her voice telling of her want of this dream.
Andou nodded, while touching the black brim of her blue Kepi on her head, making sure it was secure as they were about to go on their grand operation, then talk into her wired communicator to all tanks under her command in the mix brigade. "Come girls of BC Freedom, the time is now to show why we were once feared by all, let them feel the fury of our guns and the conviction of our hearts. Were no longer separated by lines of class, we are clasp together as tankery sisters to the end."
"Oui m'dame!" The tank commander and crews of Andou's mix brigade yell back.
"Then go forth! Begin our offensive, don't stop till we find their flag tank! Avant dames de BC Freedom!" Andou yell, thrusting her hand in the direction of the village they had taken and to the goal beyond it.
"Forward!" Andou's mix brigade yell back, then mix French and American tanks pour forward out of the treeline to join their Sherman Jumbos in their grand offensive.
Watching her fevered teammates go forth only swelled the pride in Andou's heart, then switch her wired communicator to another net. "Oshida, we wipe out the Kuromorimine's Advance guard. Their relief force will be coming your way."
"I know you pleb, I could hear you making your racket all the way over here," Oshida said, with the usual snappy tone.
"How did it sound?" Andou said, not taking the bait, knowing her lover was only playing hard to get.
"Gaudy, tacky, and theatrical," Oshida snapped.
Though again Andou didn't rise, knowing she was going to get the response she wanted. "And?"
"And nothing ever sounded sweeter to me, my lionne. A symphony worthy of my affection," Oshida said, her tone joyful and seductive.
Making Andou chuckle a little. "I do try to impress, though you're easy to please. Yet now it's your turn my guerrière. Show the enemy why it is never a good idea to cross your path, as I've learned."
"With pleasure, I'll be waiting for you, be careful," Oshida said back.
"I should be saying that, but I will. Not let us make the impossible, be possible now," Andou said, then cut the net call, as she ordered her driver forward. Lady Marie follow in close behind with her escorts, as BC Freedom began its grand opera of cannon and shell, a symphony that was made special for Kuromorimine this day that look to shock the world.
XxxxX
"Koume's down! Nonaka and Kiyargu are too! BC Freedom is coming in force! I'll tr-."
The frantic net call was cut off suddenly, causing panic to set in for Emi Kojima, a platoon leader for Kuromorimine, leading 2 Jagpanthers and Panther G into battle. Emi was taller than average girl with short brown hair and light brown eyes, wearing her team's winter gear along with the signature black side cap with red trim.
"Mihara respond!" Emi yell while touching her throat microphone, but was given no response, while in the distance the echo of a cannon could be heard.
"Damn! We were too late," Emi said solemnly, as her platoon of Jagpanthers march forward on the snow-covered road.
Currently, Emi and her platoon were just coming out of the shade of a small wood. They were still some many meters away from Koume's former position, though now it seem fruitless to try and reach it with only their three tanks. Emi had to think about what she could accomplish now with her rescue operation now squash, while she had to report to Erika about this development.
Standing tall in her commanders cupola, Emi's Jagdpanther was first to come into the open, with her subordinate Jagpather and Panther G behind her. Quickly she scan with her binoculars to her front, with nothing but a white expanse in front of her. The road that had been shovel into the snow led on bending to the right and then northward. A single-story house lay in the distance some 1000 meters by a guess.
"Column halt!" Emi order over the platoon net.
Besides the sound of their idling engines, not a sound could be heard over the air. Making Emi anxious, as she knew that BC Freedom was now on the offensive, looking to break Kuromorimine's defensive line Erika had put in place. Emi understood the strategy as the snow, heavy woods, and icy roads were making it impossible to deploy in the usual attack formations they like to use to advance. Not to mention the rougher ground was putting a heavy strain on their engines, which was a reason the Jagdtiger and Elefant tank destroyers whose engines, that were made to match the specifications of their World War 2 counterparts, would inevitably break under these terrain conditions leaving them out of the match.
Leaving Emi and her Jagpanthers as the team's big heavy tank destroyers, with good speed and excellent maneuverability. While they sported the 88 mm PaK43, though the same caliber used on the Tiger 1, this 88mm had a significantly longer barrel, giving it a bigger punch being able to penetrate up to 200mm of armor at 1000 meters.
"What should we do?" Emi's fellow Jagdpanther partner Leila Rou ask over the net.
Brining her binoculars down, Emi contemplated her options for a moment, but quickly settle on what she needed to do, as she touch her throat microphone. "Alright, will push up further to set up a temporary line to hold the enemy back at range while the commander reorganizes our forces."
"Roger!" her platoon replied back.
Emi then switch her net call to her crew. "Kazuko inform Erika that were making a stand at Point…," Emi trail off as she brought her map out. "Point 0892. The enemy is coming on in force, though size unknown."
"On it!" Kazuko the radio operator said, then got to her task.
"Alright, Koi let's move out," Emi ordered to her driver.
With a push on the sticks from the driver, Emi's Jagpather press forward with her platoon following behind her closely. Hoping to make a fight of it for their team, as their first match without a Nishizumi leading them was proving more tricky than they could imagine, but they wouldn't back down from this challenge, as their goal to retain the honor of the Nishizumi name was burning in their hearts.
Yet no matter your drive, sometimes there might be others who want it more.
A sudden flash from around the house in the distance broke the silence, a deafening roar that echo. Yet Emi didn't quite hear it, as her tank was slammed with a shell before she knew it. The impact was ferocious, sending Emi crashing against the back of the cupola, though the carbon lining took off some of the sting in her back. With her vision faded for a moment, Emi pull herself up to stand tall, but her ears rang from the sudden impact and screeching of metal. In the background, Emi thought she might have heard a voice, but who it was and what they were saying was blocked out.
Staring forward while taking deep breaths, to focus herself, but notice her Jagpanther didn't have a white kill flag pop up from its spot on the top of the tank. Emi quickly shook her head, gaining her senses while bringing her binoculars up to find the source of the blast. Looking across the winter landscape, Emi found the source of the blast, being a barrel sticking over a wall of neatly piled haystacks. It didn't take Emi long to realize that the barrel was lining up on her again and would have her range before Emi could reply with her own gun.
"Pop smoke from the discharger!" Emi ordered to her crew.
A sudden pop was heard, as the discharger on the top of the turret shot out a smoke grenade that landed some distance from the column, then burst open letting out a wall of white smoke to shield Emi and her platoon somewhat by making it harder on the enemy to fire accurately at them.
"All tanks reverse back to the woods, we need to get to cover before the smoke dissipates!" Emi orders her platoon.
The other tank commanders didn't need to be told twice, as they handed down orders to reverse their tanks back, just another enemy cannon shell scream past the wall of smoke at Emi. Yet unlike before, this time it was way off the mark, smashing into the ground to the side of the tank destroyer column. Though the shockwaves were felt, making Emi lean down in the tank was swaths of snow landed down on her and fell inside the tank from the open hatch.
"Keep reversing! They're blinded for now!" Emi order her driver.
We got lucky as hell they bounce, though that enemy gun is more powerful than I thought BC Freedom could muster…this match is definitely not going to be a cakewalk…
Emi thought as her tank reverse away from the threat, as once more Kuromorimine was being shown how it feels to retreat in the face of a determined foe, something they had done many times over in their 9-year win streak, but like this new era of Sensha-do, it seemed there was always something new to see.
XxxxX
"Damn, they pop smoke," Osihda said, standing tall in the cupola of her ARL-44.
"Sorry Oshida," the gunner Toma said, her tone slightly distressed.
"Don't worry, it was my bad on the last-minute adjustment that made us scrape the side of that leading Jagpanther, instead of hitting that front armor," Oshida said, trying to get her gunner's spirit up.
"Thanks, though have to praise how cool those Kuromorimine girls are under pressure, they might have just stood around to fire at us, but decided to retreat, what a drag….so, what now?" Toma ask.
Oshida frown, as she had wanted to get the takedown, especially on an impressive tank destroyer like the Jagpanther, but she settled for at least stopping them from getting a defensive line set up. Her objective now was to make sure they didn't cause their team's offensive operation to fall to tatters, as their longer 88mm guns could tear them to pieces. Not to mention the Tiger 2, Oshida knew was still lurking around and ready to take a bite out of them.
"We stay the course," Oshida said, resolute in her conviction, as she switch her net call to her mix brigade channel. "Alright, M10's I want you to flank those woods, those Jagpanthers will have a hard time turning their whole tank around in that limited space, M4 Shermans with me for long-range bombardment to keep their focus front. M5 Sturats are to reunite with Andou's Mix Brigade to scout ahead for the enemy flag tank. Let's get it done."
"Roger!" The tank commanders roar back, a mixed group from both factions, but their voices were one in their drive to win.
We just need to stay the course and will win, I'll show my mother and sisters they were wrong about me, I'm not a failure, I'm a true competitor in my own right and with Andou with me, I can fly as high as I want
Oshida thought, as she clench one of her hands tightly, feeling as if nothing could stop her. Nothing could stop their team from regaining BC Freedom's glory back, while at the same time proving they were better than their rivals of Maginot Girls Academy, who had been gaining their own resurgence but had been shut down by Pravda ending their climb. As always the two French theme schools had always had rivalry dating back to when both schools were open.
"Alright, time to initiate the last part of the plan," Oshida said to herself, while switching her net call. "BC 1 to Air control, come in."
"Air control to BC 1, go ahead," a male voice reply back.
"Requesting scout plane to cover grid 0392," Oshida said.
"Roger BC 1, Ki-46 is going on station for support, over and out," Air control said.
Oshida smile, as she look back to see the last of the smoke cloud clear, knowing she was about to be in a firefight, but was more than ready. As her their team's last ARL-44 move into position to the left of Oshida's position, ready to fire along with her sister ARL-44. All they had to do was keep this platoon from reinforcing and everything would work out, while they still had air support on standby to help deliver the final blow.
XxxxX
"No way! Kuromorimine is getting a beating!?" Hosomi ask dumbfounded, as she and the rest of the team were watching the match from their tank garage.
Currently, all of the Chi-Ha-Tan Sensha-do team members, their mechanics, and their pilots save Azoroa were watching the match unfold in their tank garage, dub Tiger garage. Girls were sitting on the various Type 97 Chi-Ha's and Type 1 Chi-He's, or sitting on laid-out blankets eating various hot food that had been prepared for the match, along with drinks as well. A large screen had been set up with a projector hooked up in the rafters playing the match out to them. Which was proving to break all their expectations for an easy Kuromorimine win, as said team was being battered by revamped BC Freedom Academy.
While the match play out, the voices of all the girls mix with one another over the shocking events taking place.
"How can this be happening?"
"I thought for sure they wipe the floor with BC Freedom."
"Kuromorimine has better guns too, why don't they just snipe from distance."
"Remember the commander teaching us that better guns can be negated by terrain, shock, and hard-hitting attacks."
"No wonder were so good!"
"Yeaaaa!" All the girls broke out in a cheer.
Though the upbeat moment was stopped by a sound of clapping that echoed across the hanger, getting everyone's attention. As all eyes turn to Nishi, standing tall on top of her own Type 4 Chi-To, along with Hosomi, Ikeda, and Tamada.
"Settle down girls, match is still young, let's not make a commotion just yet," Nishi announce with a warming smile shining down on her team.
"Yes ma'am," the team reply as one, then went back to their quiet chatter amongst each other.
Hosomi, who was seated on top of the turret, turn to Nishi. "This is something to cause a commotion over."
Nishi chuckle a little as she lower herself to sit down on her turret. "I know, but we have to be respectful. Especially since Miss Himi went out of her way to organize this viewing party for the girls."
"Yea, they definitely need it. Their spirits have been down a little, since Miho is still away or better put they still think she is sleeping in the hospital," Ikeda added with a shake of the head, then took a bite of her Katsu Sando sandwich.
"They needed this, a little team bonding never hurt," Tamada said, smiling down on her tankery family.
Hosomi nodded, but her face turn serious. "The fact remains we can't keep it from them much longer. It's hard enough keeping Moteki, Watabe, Nomi, and Nene at bay, they're practically begging us to go see her and I'm running out of excuses."
"Maybe we should tell them, being Miho's surrogate daughters gives them a right to know, yea?" Ikeda ask, as she swallow down her bite.
A shake of the head came from Nishi. "We can't, if word gets out that Miho left the carrier, the media outlets be chasing to find her, putting a bigger obstacle in her path trying to see her family. Not to mention that Hedimichi told me now more than ever he wants Miho's little adventure to be kept secret."
"Why more than ever?" Tamada ask, her concern evident in her voice.
"He didn't say why," Nishi let out, with a sigh following. "Yet he said it was serious enough that it might cause more legal issues now for Miho's family."
"That doesn't sound good at all," Hosomi said, rubbing her forehead in frustration.
"This is so damn frustrating, we're supposed to be just enjoying the success of our team, but I feel nothing but anxiousness. Miho should be here with us, I know it be hard with everything going on, but….," Tamada began to rant, but trail off as one of her hands began to clench tightly.
Looking on, Nishi, Ikeda, and Hosomi knew out of all of the team being affected by Miho's absence, Tamada was feeling it the most. She and Miho had been attached at the hip since the faithful day they met, with their relationship taking time to build up, going through an early rough patch, but when they found their way over the hurdle they were never more closer. Each lean on one another and inspire the other at the same time, making them a real power couple in the eyes of the team on and off the field.
Now seeing that bond separated, only made Tamada's friends ache to see her more and more become distraught, all the while trying to keep a brave face for everyone. It was no easy thing to ask, but Tamada had done it, keeping up with the drills and physical fitness regime.
Nishi reach over to touch Tamada's shoulder as she spoke. "Tamada, know we're here for you. I appreciate you keeping strong for us, but remember your tankery sisters are here through thick and thin."
Reaching a hand up to touch Nishi's hand, Tamada took a deep breath, then smile as she spoke. "Thank you Nishi, you too Hosomi and Ikeda. I know I've been a bit of a downer, but you girls always know what to say to get me back up…well not Hosomi, you just push buttons."
"They say that is some sort of therapeutic therapy, having your buttons push when your down," Hosomi teased with a wink.
"Why does that sound all kinds of wrong," Ikeda chuckle along.
"Then how about we test my own therapy and we can settle it in the boxing ring," Tamada said with a wicked grin.
Which only cause Hosomi to lose all the color in her face, speaking back in embarrassed tone. "Well…yea…you know I've been a bit sore lately…better I rest up and not strain my muscles, got to stay limber you know. Yet I bet Nishi is more than ready to go even after touch practices, which is why she has such a rocking body."
Nishi blushed with the conversation turning on her now. "Oh no, please, I hardly even know how to get the gloves on."
"Yea, let's not have our beautiful flower Nishi ruined by a brute," Ikeda joke, making Hosomi snicker.
Though that only made Tamada growl at Ikeda. "Who's a brute?"
"Alright, alright, no more teasing," Nishi said, chuckling at her friend's usual antics.
"Well on the bright side, we got those new tanks added to the arsenal, which are sure to make Miho happy when she comes home," Ikeda said now.
Tamada nodded. "I can't even believe it, a Panther D and Panzer 3.J just sitting in the lower sections of the ship."
Currently, the 2 new tanks were resting in a separate hanger, as Himi was working them over to make sure they were ready for the practice field, as well as awaiting the shipment from MEXT for practice shells and match shells to arrive. When Nishi let the team in on the new discovery, they had gone wild as expected for the additions to the tank family, giving them much-needed firepower. While already the girls wanted to paint on the school's color scheme, but Nishi had opted to leave the tan color for now.
"The question now is who are we going to assign the new tanks too," Hosomi said.
"Well, I've talked with our senior members and we've agreed that the Panzer 3 will be yours Hosomi," Nishi said.
"Wait, really?" Hosomi ask stunned at the thought of using a new tank.
"Yes really," Nishi said with a chuckle. "The team believes it makes for a fine addition to Voltigeur platoon as our leading units."
"Heh, I don't know what to say, but I will do all I can to honor this trust me, thank you very much," Hosomi said with a bow of the head to her friends.
"Wow, should gift more things to Hosomi, if it makes her this humble," Tamada tease, though was just as happy as anyone to see her friend command this new tank.
"Don't worry, I'm humble enough for both of us. Besides can you really be talking when I have more tank takedowns than you," Hosomi said, a devilish grin spreading across her lips.
"Yea ri-," Tamada started, then stop to think about it. "Oh man, your right. Whatever, this next match I'm going to take down half of Pravda myself!"
"Not with that potato launcher of a tank gun you have now," Ikeda joke.
"Now, now, don't look down on the M3 75mm cannon. Miss Kay was generous enough to give us a replacement for the damaged 76mm gun and even promise to get it repaired by the time we make the finals," Nishi said.
A low whistle left Hosomi's lips. "A lot of confidence in us Miss Kay has. Kind of funny we were not so long ago ready to tear each other to pieces over what happened in that match with Saunders last year."
"Yesterday's enemies are today's friends," Nishi said, making her girls chuckle.
Tamada spoke up first as they calm down. "It help a lot that Miho really wanted to crush that bad blood between us."
"She's something special, that's for sure. Anyway, what about the Panther D, who's going to command that?" Ikeda ask.
Nishi shook her head. "I don't know, might save it for Miho to command, since she understands German tanks better than anyone since the Tiger 1 is definitely out of the match next match."
"Damn shame to leave our Tiger behind, been our rallying flag since this new era took root," Hosomi said.
"Will figure something out in the end. For now, let's stay focused on making sure the team is prepared for the next match," Nishi said, meeting with a round of nods in agreement.
"We have to also get in contact with Oaria about our capture reward," Tamada said.
"Again in due time, I'll try to contact their team's captain tomorrow about it if we have time," Nishi said.
"Alright, oh look, BC Freedom is really pressing Kuromorimine. I hope that silver hair harpy has a plan, cause I have a score to settle with her in the final when we meet," Tamada said smugly.
"I'm sure Miss Itsumi can dig her team out of this, she learn from the best after all in Miss Maho," Ikeda commented.
I hope that's true, I can't imagine what's going through her head, with her team being pressed so hard…hang in there Miss Itsumi, you can do it
Nishi thought, now turning her eyes to the screen as the battle was only ramping up between the two sides who weren't going to back down with a ticket to Semi-final on the line.