Authors Thought:
Hello, dear readers, very sorry for the delay, but battle scenes are proving to be more difficult than anything else to write out, but once it's done I never feel happier.
Big thanks goes to jaimerey7000 for helping with the names for some the girls of Kuromorimine, as well as some lore behind them.
Well that's it from me, thanks for your patience with this chapter, especially since it diverts a lot from our Chi-Ha-Tan girls, but one thing I appreciated a lot about Das Finale is that they show other teams battle outside of Oarai, so I wanted to capture that in a deeper sense.
Thanks again for coming by to read, hope you, your friends, and family enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Till next Authors Thought, be well and be safe.
"How exciting!" A voice cries out, filling the small office with its happy tone.
Though the owner of this happy voice didn't just stop at shouting out her delight, as she found the nearest person next to them and hug them as if their life depended on it. Unfortunately, this hug was the trademark bone-crushing one, which the girls of Saunders knew well, going out of their way to avoid its deadly grip. Yet once you were caught, all there was to do was survive it to the best of your abilities.
"Co…Co…Commander," the very victim voiced out, dress in the Saunders school uniform of a white collared shirt with a black tie, grey blazer, and red skirt. The girl being subjected to the hug was of average height, with deep crimson hair with a black ribbon holding it in a loose ponytail and large brown eyes
"Uh, Kay, I think you're going to squeeze the life out of our future commander," Alisa said with an amused look, sitting in a chair near Kay's desk.
Kay, who had been sitting behind her desk, in her luxurious office chair to boot, had jumped out of it as she and her close friends were watching the match between Kuromorimine and BC Freedom play out on a large screen. With the 2nd year in the watch party in Rosie, the future commander of Saunders who was just bringing Kay a nice cold soda, be then subjected to the hug.
"I gi…I give," Rosie barely voice out, tapping Kay on the back with her free hand hoping for a reprieve.
Noticing now her overzealousness, Kay backed off with her carefree smile on her face. "Whoops! Sorry Rosie, forget myself sometimes."
"More like you forget your strength, Kay," Rosie said after catching her breath, then smile at her lovable commander.
Kay shrugged with amusement. "What can I say? We may just drive tanks around, but strength of body is important for us gals, I just might have taken a step too far, hope my future hubby can look past these guns." Then Kay flex a little with a wink.
"Hmph," Naomi said with a hint of a chuckle, sitting in a chair beside Alisa. "Can you really say that, when your feature as a model in the Sensha-do Weekly magazine?"
"I know right, why don't I get a photoshoot?!" Alisa whined, making her friends chuckle at her.
"My bad, my bad, forgot to ask to have you and Naomi added in," Kay said, while rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment.
"Don't mind Kay, she only wanted to do it for Takashi's attention, plus I ain't into the modeling thing," Naomi teased.
Making Alisa groan. "Yea, obviously. I want him to see I can be girly too."
"Just keep at it, if all else fails just make him yours by force," Kay added.
"And theirs the legendary love advice of our great commander," Naomi joked causing her friends to chuckle.
As they calm down, Rosie spoke up. "Thanks again Kay for inviting me to watch the match with you."
Kay simply tap her 2nd year on the shoulder. "No need for that jazz, just wanted you to come by and hang out with us."
However, Naomi and Alisa knew better, as Rosie had been named commander for next year after Kay graduated. In turn, Kay had practically made Rosie her shadow, having the young girl tag along with the trio wherever they went. Even if Saunders was out of the tournament, the Sensha-do team still held team meetings to go over strategies, as Kay was looking to form a new identity for the team before she left. While there was still a summer tournament and expedition matches to come, with some rumors saying the Winter Cup might be coming back as well.
Meaning there was a lot of Sensha-do left for Kay and her girls to make sure Linda Sickle's old teachings were wiped from the team and the new competitive, yet fun-having style took its place. Never again would Kay allow a situation like what happened with Chi-Ha-Tan last year to take place, never again would Saunders integrity be questioned, and never again would Saunders be held at arm's length in the Sensha-do family.
"Still though," Rosie spoke up. "I'm grateful to learn as much as I can from all of you."
"With the key point is we're having fun doing it," Kay said with a wink, then return back to her office chair, crossing her legs as the four of them turn their eyes back to the match.
"Well, speaking of fun, I hear we're getting a new headmaster," Alisa said, gauging a reaction from her friends.
"For real?" Naomi ask with a dubious look.
"Yep," Alisa rely.
Kay place an elbow on her armrest, while letting her face rest in her hand looking to Alisa. "You wouldn't have happened to have come by this information by less than honorable means, have you?"
Feeling the silent anger behind the blondes' eyes made Alisa wince in her seat, but finally spoke up. "Well, just a little digging I did through our school's network, but I didn't breach any major networks."
That didn't please Kay at all. "You know that is wrong still."
"I know, but rumors about our headmaster leaving for America got me interested, so I had to dig," Alisa explain frantically, trying to calm the wrath of her commander down.
"Top, maybe this time we cut her some slack," Naomi said calmly.
For a moment, Kay just stare hard at Alisa, then sigh. "Fine, so what're the juicy details?"
Making Alisa perk up instantly. "Seems the new director is from that American Academy that allied itself with Oarai for that match against Chi-Ha-Tan."
"For real!" Kay shouted.
"How is that possible? Is MEXT and the Federation able to agree to that?" Rosie ask.
"The Federation power extends entirely to the sport of Sensha-do, including advertisements, tank construction, match ground maintenance, and other things of that nature. Yet when it comes to the Carriers themselves, MEXT is its own identity, making sure the population and ships are well looked after, while also having the power over the school's administration and their appointments of headmasters, same goes for ship captains and other positions," Alisa explain.
Making Rosie nod in amazement. "Guess it pays to know."
"It does, but I'm only studying so hard since I want to find a career in MEXT, I just find the fluidity of the whole system amazing and you still get to contribute to the Sensha-do, making sure the schools are running up to par," Alisa explain, her eyes glinting at her dream career path.
"Well, I support ya, though I got ambitions to be an instructor in Sensha-do. Want girls to know this sport is serious, but having fun, in the end, is the most important," Kay said leaning back in her chair.
Rosie turn in Naomi's direction. "What do you want to do when you graduate?"
Though, unlike her friends, Naomi was quiet in thought with her arms crossed over her body, silently chewing on the bubble gum till she finally spoke and replied with her answer. "Honestly, I don't know."
"Huh?" Rosie said.
A shrug follow the question from Naomi. "I know a lot of girls joke about Kay being a person who's always in the moment, but I personify that. I really don't know what career path I want, since I don't find any career path that interesting to be honest, guess I'll just have to figure it out down the line."
"Wow, that's surprising, I was sure you might want to be an instructor, since your gunnery skills are next level," Rosie said in astonishment.
"Hmph," Naomi huff with amusement. "Can't really say that when that Nomi girl of Chi-Ha-Tan has the longest recorded takedown in Sensha-do, guess I got room to grow."
"Still can't believe we lost to them, we had them on the ropes and just needed a little push," Alisa said with frustration.
"I should know better than anyone, our Jumbos had their Tiger 1 set up on a dinner plate, but that commander of theirs just refuse to go down. Can't imagine my horror when that shell bounced under our tank and took us out," Rosie said with a small defeated chuckle, as her mind pull the images of that moment that haunted her dreams for weeks, while also inspiring her to train harder so next time she bag Chi-Ha-Tan's Tiger 1 for sure.
"Speaking of Jumbo's," Kay said. "How do you think BC Freedom got those Jumbo Sherman's?"
"Heck if I know! Gah, were supposed to be the only team using American tanks, but now we have competition! And swear, if they beat Kuromorimine, we're going to never hear the end of it!" Alisa complained while ruffling her own hair.
The room chuckled at Alisa's antics, but Rosie spoke up first in a hopeful tone. "Well, either way, it's a good moment to learn from BC Freedom's tactics with American tanks, that way when we go into action this summer, no one will doubt were the masters of the American tank."
"That's our future leader!" Kay said, then hug Rosie once more in a bone-crushing hug.
"U….Uhh…can't breath…he…he…help," Rosie struggle, while once more tapping Kay on the back as a sigh to let go, but to no avail.
Alisa chuckle. "Sorry Rosie, you have to get your share of them as we did."
A sudden knock to the door got everyone's attention, then it open slowly with a young girl walking in. She was of Caucasian descent, quite tall for her age with long flowing blonde hair that went well with her blue eyes with pale skin, her body was very thin and tone, a testament to her hard work in the fitness regime of her former academy. She also wore the Saunders school uniform, but due to her height made the skirt she was wearing a bit short on her, while her arms were a little longer than the sleeves.
"Mis…Miss…Miss Kay, do…you have…an…anything bigger?" The young blonde ask, her Japanese a little broken, as she bashfully play with her bangs.
Kay blink a couple of times, then let go of Rosie to make her way over to the new girl. "Wow! That's our biggest size we have too!"
"Kay, that sounds a bit rude," Naomi said with an amused smile, turning in her seat.
"My bad, my bad!" Kay said while scratching the back of her head.
"I..It's…f…f…fine," the poor girl said.
"Mmm," was all Kay said at first, sizing up the new girl, then spoke. "This means your joining us right?"
Which made Alisa groan at her leader's insistence, as she had been doing all day. "Kay, come on, you know the girl has already made her choice already. We just loan her our school uniform since she came to us with nothing but the little clothes she brought with her."
"I know, but come on, we got a perfectly good tanker right in front of us, plus I heard they're transferring her M36B2 to us as well from her former academy, so why no join us, Miss Cunningham?" Kay said, throwing on her captivating smile, hoping to entice the ex-Wolverton tank commander.
Ellie blush at the praise, even if she only got the gist of it from her growing understanding of the Japanese language, then spoke. "Uh…please just call me…Ellie…I'm not used to the last name-calling."
"Me neither!" Kay said excitedly. "That makes you perfect for our team, not to mention you're bringing our girl Naomi's favorite tank over as well."
"It's a modified version of M36 that was used late in the war, but definitely fits the bill. Yet I'm with Alisa on this, she made her choice," Naomi said with a shrug, though internally she was squealing at the prospect of her favorite WW2 tank coming to their school.
"None of you are fun!" Kay complain, though jokingly.
Rosie chuckle a little, then came over to take on of Ellie's hands while looking up at her. "Miss Ellie, we were very happy to have you on board. How about you come to watch the rest of the match with us? Then will go back to our Japanese language lessons."
"Thank you very much," Ellie said in perfect Japanese while bowing to the girl.
"Yea, guess we should have some fun with ya before you take off, so come one girl! We got all the snacks you can desire, American made to. Also can whip up some burgers or hotdogs too!" Kay said excitedly, taking Ellie's other hand and dragging her into the room.
"Oh, thank you Miss Kay," Ellie voiced out, as she was dragged by the two girls inside the office, as Naomi got her a seat and Alisa made a call to the cafeteria for food.
Their so warm and fun to be around…if I hadn't already made my choice…I stay here at Saunders. Yet my path isn't here, I have to make things right for Fukushu, I won't leave everything on her shoulders to bear. I'll do what I can to wash away that terrible day, not just for my fallen academy, but for my home nation I love dearly, so I'll make things right…I'll join Chi-Ha-Tan Academy and help them in any way possible to reach the top
This was the wish of Ellie, as her journey in Sensha-do wasn't done. She would leave a lot behind on this journey, but Johnson had approved it, Ellie's parents had given their consent, though her mother practically bawl her eyes out to see her daughter now leave American soil, but once again would support her daughter who was growing into her own person.
All because of a sport.
A sport that had helped Ellie overcome her own anxiety, had helped her make friends, and give her confidence she never thought she had.
All because of a sport about tanks.
Miss Miho, I hope you will accept me into your ranks, allow me to fight beside you, be the bridge for our nations to put that ugliness of the past behind us. I will give you everything…not just for Fukushu…but to also…maybe see what a team…no…I want to find out how a tankery family is supposed to be
Ellie thought, as she found her seat between Naomi and Alisa, while Kay handed out fresh burgers for her to eat. Making Ellie smile, taking them and eating them with joy, as her journey was only just beginning and felt like she fall in love with Sensha-do all over again.
XxxxX
"Emi here, I'm sorry commander, my platoon is out!"
"Takamaru here, We're trying to make your way to you, but we've met resistance by a blocking force of BC Freedom. They have ARL-44's and our sniping at us with their other American tanks and now we're being drawn into a firefight."
Sitting in her commander chair aboard the Tiger 2, Erika Itsumi seethes as everything seem to be falling apart around her. Koume had been lost to a surprise attack, along with her entire platoon, leaving them blind to the enemy movement. Which had allowed BC Freedom to ambush Emi, taking out their two Jagpanthers and Panther G, who after finishing the job had moved to block Takamura's company who had regrouped her Panther company to get back to Erika. All, while this was happening Erika, was just sitting in the rear, as she had made herself tank the flag tank for this match, with Anna Imura her operator tank in her Panzer 3 and another Panzer 3 to help guard Erika.
We're taking a beating here and I can no longer stand by while it happens…but what do I do?
Erika thought, as it had been easier said than done. The rest of BC Freedom who were not holding off Takamuara were coming for the Erika. A scout plane had flown over Erika's position and had most likely reported back to them the location of the flag tank. Leaving Erika with the only option but to pull back, but that left in her a conundrum as the further she pull back the father she got from her remaining forces and further from relief. In turn, all this left Erika in despair as to what to do, which made her feel ashamed as a commander.
I've failed! I've failed my team! I've failed Koume! I've failed Maho! I've failed Miho!...I've failed Miss Shiho!
Erika thought, as her hands clenched in her lap. Everything was lost, all the talk Erika had made about keeping with the Nishizumi style, but with the blueprints that Maho had left to them. Now she was failing at that, in turn, the dreams of bringing Kuromorimine back from the depths it was in was being squashed. Erika knew there be no one to blame but her, having been given the right to lead and only fail that confidence her team had in her.
Yet even as despair began to wrap its embrace over Erika, a small voice began to speak to her, to remind her that not all was lost.
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
It was Koume's words Erika was remembering, words that brush the despair away, taking hold of Erika now.
"Fight as I think is best…Find my own Sensha-do," Erika whisper to herself, feeling something take over within.
A calm, a surefootedness, a spark that had always been there now catching fire within Erika. Making her raise herself to stand tall in her cupola to look outside her tank.
The cold bite of the chill in the air wash over Erika even in her winter gear, but she ignored that as she scan her surroundings. Currently, she was taking position behind a grain mill, while her escort Panzer 3's were taking positions to either side of her in the defiles in the snowy ground. Nothing laid before Erika but the white expanse, that rose gently in the distance, the same direction the enemy would be coming from soon.
"Find my own Sensha-do…find my own Sensha-do…find my own Sensha-do," Erika repeated to herself, looking over the ground with a precise eye.
Her mind became void of any negative thoughts, of any regrets, in its place was nothing but razor focus. Erika felt everything begin to come to her, as she look to do something her team was not known for and was downright not in line with the Nishizumi style of old.
You're to blame Miho…for making me want to match your creativeness, but your are also the one I have to thank because you didn't conform…you evolved and so will I
Erika thought, then touch her throat microphone to communicate. "Takamaru, come in."
"Takamaru here! Awaiting orders!"
Erika nodded. "How's your ammo count?"
There was a moment of silence before Takamaru replied. "Down to half for all tanks, with HE Shells still in the racks!" She replied as the crescendo of cannon fire played in the background.
"Alright!" Erika said, her voice firm. "Keep the BC Freedom holding force in place, give coordinates for artillery and air support to Anna, while you launch your attack in snych."
"Wait! Commander that's dangerous! You should use the perks against the enemy coming for you!" Takamaru yell over the firefight in the background.
"No, this is the plan. I need you to make them think we're desperate for you to come save me," Erika said without batting an eyelash.
Silence engulf the net call, till finally, Takamaru reply. "Ok, alright commander. I trust you, going to send coordinates to Anna and will give these ARL-44's and American tanks a lesson in gunnery."
"Good," Erika said, then switch her net call to her escort. "Anna and Sheska, the enemy is coming for us. I'm going to need you two to do me a favor."
"Anything for you Miss Itsumi! Just tell me where you need me!" Sheska reply first.
Which made Erika huff in amusement at the dedication of their newest tank commander added to the lineup. Sheska, a first-year who had transferred from Germany to join Kuromorimine, was one of a very few foreigners who earn the right to join the prestigious academy as its application test was tougher than any other school, especially for foreigners who were asked to speak fluent Japanese before they even thought of applying. While Saunders was more lenient offering learning courses even to American girls who didn't speak the language at all.
Sheska had not only passed the application test with flying colors, but she also excel in all areas of tank operation and tactics, making her a prime tank commander. Her only problem was youth and inexperience on the battlefield, but she made up for it with positive energy, as she was the biggest cheerleader for the team and did all she could to support them. Maho had made a note of her and Koume had preached to Erika that it be good to add her to the lineup for the next round. Though there were other 2nd-year tank commanders more than ready, Erika chose Sehska to get her some battle honors as the future of their club.
And today would be the day for them.
"Good, this is going to be a bit crazy, but just give it a chance," Erika said, then began to explain her battle plan.
Once she was finished, Erika could tell by the silence that her comrades were more than shocked by the boldness and weirdness of the plan. Yet they simply nodded their heads, then order their Panzer 3's off to get into position, while leaving Erika all alone now. For she was going to be the bait that would give her team a chance to win.
Feeling content, Erika lower herself into the tank, while opening up her crew net. "Alright girls, we're going to be standing alone against the enemy, so make sure they learn why you don't mess with a King Tiger."
"Well now, a crazy plan with a small chance of success…what are we waiting for?" Ren Maaru, Erika's gunner, as well as once a vice commander of the team, but replaced by Miho the year prior. Though it didn't bother her, as she liked less responsibility to focus on being the best gunner in the team, which had made her a perfect candidate to be placed in the Tiger 2 with its more power 88mm gun.
At the front of the tank, the driver by the name of Natsumi crack her knuckles, with a wide grin on her face. "Well just give a destination, I'll show them how smoothly a Tiger 2 should be handled without breaking its transmission or gearbox."
"Good, now let's show BC Freedom they only push a Tiger into a corner and it only makes us more dangerous!" Erika said excitedly.
"Yea!" Her crew yell back.
XxxX
The cold air was being warm by the sound of voices, singing together as their tanks roll forward in a long column over the pave snowy road. Belonging to the girls of BC Freedom of Andou's Mix Brigade, along with their Commander Lady Marie, who was towards the back and protected by their escorts. At the moment there was no danger of meeting the enemy just yet, so some of the BC Freedom girls were sitting outside their tanks if they could, as they sang their song, their angelic voices playing to each other.
It was an odd song though, something that the average fan might think funny for these girls to sing as their marching tune. Yet it was a song that's origins dated back to the year 1800, to a group of men marching to the battlefield, not knowing their destiny at that moment would lead them to a hard-fought victory making them legends, a victory that would lead to the crowning of a Corsican who would be Emperor, and they would be his personal guards through it all. Making the very song the girls seem odd, but what it held behind it was the want of victory and with how things were going for them at the moment, victory might very well be what they were to achieve this day.
As the girls of BC Freedom sang their odd song for the victory they were to achieve together, while adding a few changes.
J'aime l'oignon frit à l'huile,
(I love the onion fried in oil,)
J'aime l'oignon car il est bon.
(I love the onion because it's good,)
J'aime l'oignon frit à l'huile,
(I love the onion fried in oil,)
J'aime l'oignon, j'aime l'oignon.
(I like the onion, I like the onion)
Au pas camarades, au pas camarades,
(In step, comrades, in step, comrades,)
Au pas, au pas, au pas,
(In step, in step, in step)
Au pas camarades, au pas camarades,
(In step, comrades, in step, comrades,)
Au pas, au pas, au pas.
(In step, in step, in step)
Un seul oignon frit à l'huile,
(Just one onion fried in oil,)
Un seul oignon nous change en Lion,
(Just one onion turns us into lions)
Un seul oignon frit à l'huile,
(Just one onion fried in oil,)
Un seul oignon, nous change en Lion
(Just one onion, turns us into lions)
Mais pas d'oignons pour Kuromorimine,
(But no onions for Kuromorimine,)
Non pas d'oignons à tous ces tigres,
(No onions for those tigers)
Mais pas d'oignons pour Kuromorimine,
(But no onions for Kuromorimine,)
Non pas d'oignons, non pas d'oignons
(No onions, no onions)
Then the girls started up again with their tune, all the while Lady Marie sat on the back of her FT-17 tank, watching her team sing their hearts out. Making her nod her head to the rhythm of their voices with her eyes closed, at peace as her plan was working against the might panzers of Kuromorimine and with their flag tank in the Tiger 2 not far now and isolated from the rest of their team, meant they had a chance.
This day Marie would show she was more than just some cake obsessed beauty as she knew most the league view her as such, she had a cunning nature that most disregarded, a product of growing up with a powerful family such as her's that ran a company that had ties to the government in terms of data collection. Information was everything and knowing how to use it was something Marie's father taught her growing up, while spoiling her with sweets like no other.
Meaning Marie was able to obtain information through underhanded means, having gotten the scoop from some girls within Kuromorimine, who dislike the Sensha-do club because of past hazing its former members did to them. Led to gathering information that the powerful club would not be bringing their heavy tanks due to the snow match field, giving Marie the advantage she needed.
It also help Marie that her team had more powerful tanks as well, a gift from Azumi the former commander of BC Freedom when they were once part of the top four. The older woman was practically an older sister for Marie, helping her grow into the commander role as well. Everything that BC Freedom needed to regain their lost glory was right here and Marie would obtain it.
Reaching into the tank, Marie tap her gunner Isabe. "Would you be so kind and hand me the wired communicator."
"Yes, my lady," Isabe reply quickly, then handed the communicator over.
Touching the switch, Maire open a net call to Andou at the front part of the column. "Miss Andou, it is time to call in our Un Aigle's to cover us as I'm sure that the opposing commander will call their own air force in to attack us."
"Roger that, I'll get ri-…hold one," Andou said, cutting the net call off for a moment.
Making Marie a little anxious, making her have to take a bite of the cake that was resting on her lap to help her calm down.
"Lady Maire! Oshida reports Kuromorimine's remaining forces are launching an offensive against her with artillery and their air forces! She's requesting orders!" Andou said frantically.
Which cause Marie to choke on the remaining cake she had been trying to swallow. Isabe instantly took notice and ask the driver to stop causing the entire column to follow suit, then climb out to pat Maire on the back till she swallow the rest of her cake down, though a deep look of confusion was all over Marie's face.
They launch their air force against our holding forces! Why! They're better serve coming for us…unless…they mean to break through and link up with their flag tank while pinning us in….It's a race now…well play Miss Itsumi
"Lady Marie, Oshida is asking for orders!" Andou said over the net.
"Insolent pleb, how dare you ask such things when our Lady is in distress! Have some tact!" Isabe said, after taking the wired communicator in hand.
"Why you! How about you come say that to my face!" Andou challenge over the net, as the tense relationship of the two classes, was clashing once again.
"Enough!" Marie said, taking the wired communicator back, shutting both girls down. "I simply lost my head, it was but for a mommnet. Now you will listen to me."
Marie didn't yell, but just by the small vigor in her voice got the attention of both of her subordinates that she was in command.
"Miss Andou, send out M5 Sturats forward to scout for the Tiger 2. Order our Aigles to support Miss Oshida," Marie order.
"But… it's our last perk we have besides resupply. Once their engage they can't help us," Andou argue.
"That audacious little outsider," Isabe growled, but Marie raise a hand to stamp out her subordinate's anger.
Then Marie spoke over the net. "I understand, but Miss Oshida must hold back their remaining Panthers, if even some get through we will be trapped with the Tiger 2 at our front and them at our back, not to mention it has 2 Panzer 3's for escorts which are formidable. Let us win this race Miss Itsumi wishes to run and show her she is not as fast as she thinks."
"Okay, okay, I'll let the operator tank know. Please stay to the rear, the whole land here is open ground now, so there's little cover and I don't want that Tiger 2 taking you out because your too far forward," Andou order, with concern in her voice.
Making Marie smile at the concern her subordinate had for her. "Very well, I shall do just that."
"Good," Andou said over the net, then open the net call to her whole Mix Brigade. "En avant, mes dames!"
"En avant!" They yell back as the column roll forward again to win this match.
XxxxX
"Incoming!" Oshida call out, just as Kuromorimine's AM6 Zero's squadron ran another gun run over her Mix Brigade's defensive positions.
Their high explosive 20mm cannons tracers were splashing against the snow kicking it up with every impact, then they were walk up till they found their home on Oshida's tank and others of her brigade. Oshida close her hatch some, as her tank shook from the small explosives. She heard the roar of the plane engine whizz overhead, prompting her to take a chance to open her hatch to see they had finished attacking them.
Looking over her shoulder Oshida could see the all tan planes form up to climb high into the cloudless sky, the Kuromorimine black iron cross could be seen on their wingtips, and as their school, their attack had been accurate and devastating. Leaving Oshida cursing them, since they were without their own air force at the moment, leaving them to be sitting ducks to the attacks.
Oshida made a move to talk into her wired communicator and check on her platoon, but she was never given the chance, as another threat wiggle its ugly head.
An ARL-44 that was positioned a little away from Oshida's own to her left, just peeking over the rise of the small sloping hill that Oshida had placed her platoon in a defensive line to stop the last remnants of Kuromorimines forces from linking back up with their flag tank. Yet even with the hill advantage, it seem to prove mute against the might of Kuromorimine who were not about to let BC Freedom walk all over them.
A screaming tracer shell came flying in with heated fury, smashing home into the gun mantlet of Oshida's comrade ARL-44, the systems aboard reacted to the shot as a takedown, with the white kill flag popping up. Leaving Oshida in complete befuddlement, staring at their team's ultimate tank being taken down so easily. Though a part of her knew that the ARL-44 had a powerful gun, it suffer some design flaws in terms of armor because of its rush design. Where the frontal armor was good, the turret cheeks were vulnerable, especially to good high-velocity guns, and the Panther G's gun was more than cable.
"Damn," Oshida growled to herself, turning her head to the front just in time to see a wedge formation of 5 Panther G's coming towards her position.
"All tanks, targets in the open direct front 500 meters, fire! Fire! Fire!" Oshida order frantically into her wired communicator.
Suddenly a rapid volley of tank cannons roar into the air from Oshida's M10's, M4 Shermans, and her own ARL-44. The volley scream at the attacking wedge, but that's all it did. As Oshida watched in horror as their rounds fell short of the target, sending up swaths of snow into the air. While the Panthers continue their march and fire on the move, sending a return volley right back smashing into the crest of the slope, with one shell finding a home in an M10 that had pressed forward too much and was taken out.
Damn, we lost another!
Oshida thought with panic, as she heard the roar of engines descending down on her from the rear like the coming sound of a thunderstrike, and Oshida was the target. Slowly the blonde turned in her cupola to see again the Kuromorimine Zero's coming down on her brigade with nothing they could do to stop them, but watch them as some of them still had 60kg bombs to drop that would only suppress them more as the Panthers below storm closer for the kill.
"Andou…see our dream through….please….please…," Oshida thought, as she was about to close her hatch.
That was until another sudden roar of engines high in the sky grab Oshida's attention, turning her cupola to her front as BC Freedom's Zeros descended from above towards the foe, causing the Kuromorimine Zeros to break their dive and engage their adversary. Oshida watched in amazement as the dogfight played across the sky, with dives and sharp turns becoming these foe's moves to find the takedown. Though even as they fought across the sky, a few of BC Freedom's Zeros broke off to deliver their own 60kg bombs on the advancing Panthers to buy their team time.
"We can do this!" Oshida shouted into the wired communicator to her platoon. "Our job is to hold them back, don't let any of them through to Lady Marie, this is an absolute order!"
"Madame!" Her tank commander roared back.
Then they got to work, the BC Freedom crews working as if their very lives were on the lines, their loaders straining their arms to get shells off the ready racks, shoving them home into their respective cannon breeches, while running their voices hoarse yelling to their gunner they were clear to fire. Gunners, even with cold in the air, had sweat running down their faces as they lay their guns on target for the takedown, with each shot they cursed or grumbled as they were short or bounced their shell off the Panther's armor.
Tank commanders offer encouragement and adjustments to aim, doing all they could to keep their crews going in this battle for a dream they never thought possible, a dream that had been nourished by their commander, a dream for the impossible.
Though their adversary was just as determined, coming on as shells bounce off their armor, the proud Panther G's of Kuromorimine were not about to back down, for they like their crews were hungry for takedowns, for the dreams they had were burning just as brightly in their hearts, to bring their club back up and show that the Nishizumi style will not be only exclusive to their sister academy in Chi-Ha-Tan, but with their academy as well, who had pioneer it since the birth of their sport.
Each side had its goals.
Now it was no longer a battle of tanks, but a battle of willpower.
"Toma! 300 meters now! Up 15! Hit the middle Panther G in the wedge!" Oshida yell over the crew net, watching the oncoming enemy.
"Adjusting!" Toma yell back from her gunner seat, working the elevation wheel frantically.
"Up!" Shinobu, the loader said.
"On the way!" Toma said, pulling the trigger.
Oshida's ARL-44 90mm cannon recoil a bit from the powerful blast, the tracer shell leaving its home for another, traversing the space in a straight arc. Its gunners aim was never truer, smashing into the gun mantlet of the leading Panther G, that even had been designed to fix the flaws of the A version's gun mantlet, was no trouble for the ARL-44's gun to beat.
Watching through her binoculars with glee, Oshida saw the leading Panther G's white kill flag pop up, with smoke billowing over the defeated tank that slow to a crawl, then stop. Being left behind by its comrades who push on to avenge their fallen tankery sister, as they shrug off shells from the rest of Oshida's platoon were struggling with their lower velocity guns to find the weak spot from distance.
"Good hit! Nice takedown Toma!" Oshida praised over the crew net.
"Thanks! Let's get the others!" Toma said, traversing the gun to the left.
We can do this….we can do this!...we ca-
Oshida's moment of pure euphoria was interrupted by now the most dreaded thing any tanker wanted to hear coming over their tank's intercom.
"Incoming artillery, please close all hatches."
The barrage batter the remaining tanks of Oshida's platoon, as the mighty Panthers roar forward to their foe even outnumbered. While their crews sang Panzerlied over the coms, for they knew they might not get to their commander in time to help, but they charge into the storm's wind for Erika and they didn't need to ask if they do it, because they would do it.
XxxxX
"Target in sight, it's a pair of M5 Stuarts, 12 o'clock 800 meters," Erika spoke over the crew net, as she scan with her binoculars.
Currently, she had position her Tiger 2 inside the grain mill, while creating a hole by crashing her tank through the wooden walls. Erika plan to use this at the start place of her bold plan, but equally crazy. Yet she had no choice due to having to put all her chips on the table to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat, while finding her own Sensha-do style in the process.
"Should I take one out?" Maaru asks from her gunner seat.
"Steady, we need to wait for our primary target," Erika said, while touching her throat microphone.
Watching from the shadows of the barren interior, Erika saw the rest of the BC Freedom force rolling forward over the snow, cresting over a small rise in the ground. Making a quick count, Erika identify a single Souma 35 leading the pack, with a platoon of Sherman Jumbo's, then behind them was the main target for Erika to rid herself of, the dreaded ARL-44. Takamura had reported she had faced 2 of the impressive French tank destroyers before she launch her attack on the holding force, making this luckily the only one Erika would face if her count of the remaining number of enemy tanks left was right.
"Alright, now where is the flag tank?" Erika said to herself, scanning but could not find the target.
"Commander!" Anna call over the net.
"Report," Erika said calmly.
"We spotted the flag tank for BC Freedom, its bringing up the rear with two escort Mk 3 Crusaders," Anna reported over the net, her voice dripping with anticipation to pull off her commander's bold attack plan.
Erika nodded. "Alright, stay put while I get their attention on me."
"Roger, show em' what you are made off commander," Anna encourage.
Making Erika smile. "Don't worry, I'm not about to disappoint." Then Erika switch her net call to her crew. "Maaru, target the ARL-44."
"On!" Maaru said, while regripping her trigger ready to fire.
"Alright, I want AP loaded once we fire, Natsumi roll out as well, first gear. Need to give the enemy a nice tasty meal they can't resist coming to have a bite of," Erika ordered.
"Roger!" The crew replied back.
Then there was silence, as Natsumi made sure one hand had a good grip on the wheel, while her other hand hover over the gear stick ready to get their beast tank moving. Maaru made some final adjustments to her aim, as she got the reticle aiming sight on the ARL-44 in the distance that was at the rear of the column and coming down the small slope in the ground.
With one deep breath for courage, Maaru got the party started. "On the way!"
The Tiger 2 unleash its fire and fury from one of World War 2's most deadly gun. The 88mm KwK43, which was a longer barrel version of the 88mm, which gave it penetrating power up to 200mm of armor at 1,000 meters, which only became greater as the distance shortened.
Screaming over the frozen landscape, the AP shell kept a flat trajectory that smash into its prey like Tiger pouncing on its meal. That meal was the ARL-44, that even with its advanced design, was no match for the king of the battlefield, as the shell violently smash into the front armor that prove to mute against its velocity. The powerful contact made the ARL-44 slide a bit back, then its gun depress down, with smoke billowing up into cold air, as if it was bowing to might of the better tank.
"Good hit! Natsumi forward!" Erika order, her heart beating against her chest for the coming brawl.
"Right!" Natsumi shouted back, her heart beating as fast as her commander's, shifting the tank and pressing on the gas pedal.
Like something out of a horror movie, which is how it felt for the girls of BC Freedom watching the Tiger 2 that had just taken out their best tank destroyer, now pull out of the shadows of the grain mill. Rolling forward at them with no fear, practically challenging them to take them down. A brawl was its demand, which would be answered as Andou order her Mix Brigade into a line, as the M5 Sturats charge forward firing at the Tiger 2.
"Should we deal with those pests first?" Maaru ask, as she adjusted her aim while waiting for her loader to clear her to fire.
"No! Our target is one of their Jumbo's, their armor is nothing to our 88mm, give them a lesson that they aren't invincible and break their morale! Traverse right!" Erika order.
"Right!" Maaru said, wheeling their gun till she found the intended target.
"Loaded!" the loader said.
Maaru watch the Jumbo in her reticle, as their tank continue rolling forward and not stopping. Yet the slow speed and flat ground were making firing on the move a little easier as the cannon didn't bounce around, making Maaru grin knowing she had a chance to prove her gunnery skills some more and prove she could be one of the best in the league, not because she operated a powerful gun, but by her own merit.
"On the way!" Maaru shouted as she pull the trigger.
Another roar of the 88mm fill the air, as another tracer shell scream forward. Maaru's grin grew wider as she watch the shell smash the frontal slope armor of her target, with the Jumbo armor that had rendered the Tiger 1's 88mm almost incapable of beating it, was nothing to the longer 88mm of the Tiger 2. Smashing a like thunderbolt into the armor, making the heavy Sherman lurch back from being hit a little, with smoke floating into the air as the white kill flag pop up.
"Target down! Nice shooting!" Erika praise.
"Thanks, movi-," Maaru began to say.
Yet was cut off as suddenly the Tiger 2 shook for a moment, then the shifted forcibly as the sound of something digging into the earth reverberated through the crew compartment. Erika luckily had a hand on the brim of her cupola keeping her from being thrown against it. Quickly she got her senses back, looking down she notice her left track had been snapped off, with part of it left behind as it fell off the wheels.
"What?" Erika said perplexed, then turn around to see that their tank had hit a sharp rock that had been covered in snow, that they had run over and must snap a linkage in the track causing it fall off.
"Of all the things to stop us," Erika growl at her bad luck.
ERika didn't get long to curse her bad luck, as a shell screamed at her tank, bouncing off the front plate, then another, and another. Soon it was a torrent of shells, screeching and screaming at the Tiger 2, as BC Freedom wasn't about to let this golden opportunity pass them. Erika look to her front to see the Jumbo's, Sturats, and Souma 35 charging her down as they kept up a heavy volume of fire.
Sitting down in the tank, Erika look to her front periscope as she talk to her crew. "We lost a track, there's no going back now! The enemy is coming for us just as we plan, so let's make sure to give our girls the time they need."
"Right!" Her crew said, getting to work.
Touching her throat microphone once more, Erika let her desperate plan take its final form. "Now Anna! Now's your time!"
XxxxX
"This is our chance!" Andou scream into her wired communicator as her Souma 35 charge forward. She was fully inside her tank, as the commander, she had to be the gunner as well since the turret was single person use.
"Roger!" The remnants of her Mix Brigade reply as one.
Pushing her shoulder into the gun mount to stabilize her 47 mm SA35 L/32 cannon. A shell was loaded into the cannon, as Andou look through her optic at the menacing Tiger 2 before her, with the distance closing quickly as her tank sped over the snow. Andou felt sweat beat down her face, while some fear grip her heart knowing her tank was no match for this masterclass of German tank design, but she was a lady of Sensha-do and no matter the odds she face this challenge head-on.
"Have some of this!" Andou shouted as she pull the trigger, bleching a shell at the Tiger 2.
The result was predictable, as the shell bounce off the gun mantlet, being nothing but a pest to the Tiger, who seem to want to end the nuisance bothering it. Andou felt her heart drop into her stomach as the long 88mm gun began to swivel to her.
"Right stick!" Andou yell into the wired communicator while working overtime to get another shell herself into the breach.
Andou's driver quickly turn the Souma 35 on a dime, just as the Tiger 2 unleash its reply. A flash, follow up by a tracer shell at the French tank that had just pulled away, the shell smashing into the ground and up away into the distance. Andou almost fumble with the shell in hand from the sudden turn and shockwave near the tank, but soon enough got the shell into the breach and slam it close to bury herself in the gunner optic.
"Forward 12 o'oclock!" Andou yell to her driver.
The rest of the Mix Brigade pressed forward, the Sherman Jumbo's and M5 Sturats firing as fast as their loaders could get their shells into breaches. Their coveted victory lay so close, the Tiger 2 had snap a track by some freak accident and now lay ready to be ended. Though their guns didn't have the punching power needed, they knew if they close the distance and batter it with shells from all sides the crew might surrender. If not they fire at it till they found the weak spot, as all tanks had them no matter their build.
We can do this! We can do this!
Andou thought over and over, lining up once more on the Tiger 2, as shells from her teammates smash all over the tank, sparking off the tough armor, yet were not deterred by their shells being shrugged off. Only did it add to the fires in their hearts to finish this fight for good and reach the Semi-Final for the first time in over 6 years.
"Miss Andou!" A voice call over the net.
Feeling a little annoyed she had to anweser the call, Andou pull back from the gunners sight and pick up her communicator. "What!?"
"We've been dupe! Two Panzer 3's are coming for our flag tank!" The voice said, belonging to the tank commander Ishiyama, commanding one of the MK 3 Crusaders that guarded Lady Marie.
"What!? How!?" Andou yell.
"I don't know! They just seem to appear out of thin air!" Ishiyama said frantically over the net.
"Damn, this is really a race for the flag tank…fine let's play," Andou said to herself, then talk into the communicator. "Protect Lady Marie with all you have, while get the flag tank!"
"Right!" Ishiyama shouted over the net, then cut the call.
Andou bury herself into gunner optic once more, knowing it all came down to this…
A race to reach their dreams…
XxxxX
"Sheska! Stay with me!" Anna yell while touching her throat microphone.
"Ri..ri…right," Sheshka repy back over the net.
She's nervous now that everything is truly on the line, but we can't stop now, the commanders got us this far, we got to see it through
Anna thought, as her Panzer 3 roll forward, her mind try to wrap around the bold plan Erika had made to them this moment.
Earlier Erika had ordered Anna and Sheska to leave her and head way out front from their position. They were then ordered to use what small amount of time was given to them to begin to cover their tanks in snow. Even though their camouflage scheme was all white, Erika knew they would be spotted eventually, especially since the land around them was mostly flat with no natural cover for them to use, so Anna took her teammate and had their crews break out the shovels to begin to cover their tank in as much snow as possible.
It was a rush job, only able to cover half of the tank before the rumbling of BC Freedom's tanks could be heard, yet it was just enough as the enemy tanks came into view. They never spotted them as Anna and Sheska, with their crews kept their nerves as the enemy column rolled past, then became spectators as Erika began her attack that drew BC Freedom Academy into battle with their complete focus on getting the flag tank.
Though hard to watch through the vision blocks in her cupola, Anna bear it as Erika's Tiger 2 was subjected to mass fire from BC Freedom, eager to bring down the heavy German tank. Till finally, Erika gave the order and the race was on. Anna and Sheska's Panzer 3's roll out, shaking the snow off their hulls, then put max gear to find the enemy flag tank.
Which didn't take long as they crest over the small rise that BC Freedom had come from earlier and came into sight of the BC Freedom flag tank FT-17, with its 2 MK 3 Crusader escorts with it.
Now, this present moment was for Anna and her teammate to grab victory before it was too late.
"We need to take out the escorts, those MK 3 Crusaders guns can penetrate our armor!" Anna ordered to Sheska.
"Right!" Sheksa responded.
"Start weaving right to left," Anna order.
Both Panzer 3's began their dance, as the Crusaders push forward in front of their flag tank, while firing at the oncoming enemy. Their shells smash into the ground, but didn't hit home as the Anna and Sheska's weaving was playing havoc on the gunners trying to lay their cannons on target, but was also making it hard for the Panzer 3 gunners who didn't have power traverse in their tanks, which made it extremely hard to get on target as the weave with slow turret roation, yet they handwheel their guns as fast as they could onto target, firing as best they could to deter the foe.
Anna lean a little out of her cupola, watching the tracer shells smash around her tank, having to steady herself as best she could as her tank shifted right to left, feeling almost like a she was on a rollercoaster, but instead of a long drop to send her screaming for her life, it was tracers shells smashing near or past her tank making her tense up. Yet her eyes lay past the Crusader to the FT-17, which should have made a break for it, but was simply staying in place, making Anna believe this Lady Marie believe she was safe with her escorts.
I plan to show you that's a mistake to look down on the tank that pioneer the Blitzkrieg
Anna thought, as another shell smashed near her, showering her with snow, but brush it off while touching her throat microphone. "Ryo, hard left stick!"
"Right!" The driver replied.
The Panzer 3 pull hard right at a diagonal angle, while Anna's Panzer 3 pull left, each crossing past one another just as the Crusaders open up another volley, but miss again as the two tanks prove to be an irritant with their great mobility.
"Stop!" Anna order her driver, who pull hard on the sticks. "Traverse left, 200 meters. Hit the Crusaders before it reloads a shell!"
Anna's gunner wheel like her very life depended on it, while Sheska didn't need orders as she did the same. It was a race that from a viewer's perspective seem to pass in a flash, but for the crews of each tank it felt like time slow down, their barrels coming online with one another. Their gunners itching to fire while trying to make sure they didn't miss knowing that it might be costly.
Then it happen, both Crusaders and Panzer 3's fire at the same time. Anna dipped low in her cupola, just in time to feel the sudden violent shake of her tank as the Crusader's shell hit them, Anna's crew grit their teeth dealing with ringing in their ears and the dizziness they felt. Quickly they reply they were ok to Anna, who let out a breath of relief, while pulling herself up to stand tall in her cupola. Smoke billowed from the front of the tank, making Anna choke a little from sulfurous smoke, but something more dreadful caught her eye.
A white kill flag had popped up on the top of the turret.
Anna's fight was done.
Feeling herself shake with anger that she might have let her team down, she turned to her left and found Sheska's Panzer 3.
The young German-born tanker was fine as well as her tank, the Crusader that had fired at them had missed. Turning back to her front, Anna could make out from the smoke that both Crusaders had taken direct hits and were out of the fight, with their guns depress down and their kill flags telling of their defeat against the accurate gunners of Kuromorimine.
Yet beyond them, Anna could make out BC Freedom flag tank making a run for it now that they were without help, prompting Anna to act quickly, touching her throat microphone before the referee's shut their radio off. "Sheska! The flag tank is running, you don't have time to chase it, you'll have to hit from here!"
"I…I don't think we can…I can cha-," Sheska replied with shakiness in her voice.
"You can do this! You are a lady of Kuromorimine! You are here because Erika believes in you! Show them what your mad-," Anna motivated till her net call was cut off by the referees since she was out of the fight.
Sheska felt her heart drop to know everything was on her. In the distance, the battle of the Tiger 2 and BC Freedom tanks could still be heard, letting Sheska know her commander was giving her all the time she could offer for Sheska to win this match. Yet with one shot being the difference between defeat and victory only made the weight on her mind feel excruciating at this point.
Yet…I'm a lady of Kuromorimine…I transfer here to prove myself against the best tankers in the world, to fight alongside the Nishizumi style
Then Sheska began to recite the Kuromorimine pre match words in her mind for courage.
Words that spoke to the treasure tradition that she wanted to be apart of so badly.
We advance with strength, our cannons are our bows that are always strong, our shells are our arrows that fly true to our foe, our tanks are our steady steeds that never waver to any enemy, our minds are one, and our will like iron
Sheska lay her order to her gunner. "Tani, traverse right, 2 o'clock. Target the flag tank, range 300 meters! Let's win this thing!"
"Roger!" Tani reply with the same vigor, wheeling the turret fervently, till she got to the clock direction and the sight of fleeing FT-17 was matched on her reticle.
Again the words of their oath play in Sheska's mind, feeling them fuel her fire, washing away any more doubts.
For we follow the Nishizumi style, for our goals our undeniable, for our team that is unwavering, for victory that is never far from our reach
"Up 40!" Sheska order, helping to guide her gunner.
"On!" Tani yell back.
Then the final words cross Sheska's mind, speaking to how she would fight for her team in this new era of Sensha-do.
So go forth ladies of iron and fury, go forth and show the world your might and never take one step back
Feeling a smile tugging on her face, Sheska gave her final order in her native language. "Feuer!"
Smoke and fire left the Panzer 3's cannon, roaring across the winter landscape.
Its shell flying true like Tiger's pounce on its prey.
The shell found its home.
Smoke billowed into the cold air and the dreams of many had been crushed with this one shell.
Yet had birthed the new era of Kuromorimine that would fight with all it could to wipe the smear off the Nishizumi name, in the only way they knew how.
With Iron and Fury.
Bam!
XxxxX
A soft exhale fill the room, as Maho who had been watching the match from her hospital bed finally laid her head back against the pillows, feeling like she had been put through a whirlwind of emotions watching her team snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Her hands were clasped together and resting on her chest which rose steadily now as she calm down.
Then a chuckle began to echo through the room, sounding like a pleasant wind chime on a warm summer day. Maho brought her hands now up to her face to cover it, as the chuckles continue to leave her lips that she could not control anymore. Though something was mixed in with these chuckles, as tears began to fall down Maho's face.
Tears of joy.
And tears of pain.
I want to be out there….
Fighting with my team…
Maho brought her hands down, staring at the ceiling that she was becoming to know quite well. Her once open world, condense to this little box she had to call home now. Yet this was not her home she wish to stay in a second longer, her home she wish to be at was with her Sensha-do team, her home with her little sister, with their mother.
However, here Maho was by her own actions.
It's strange… at this moment…I feel more joy watching Sensah-do than all those years before competing in it…
My heart is beating so hard, I can feel the excitement, the wanting to fight….
Is this how it's suppose to be?
Is this how I'm supposed to feel?
This burning in my chest…it won't cease…
Maho slowly rose up in the bed again, her tears coming to stop as she wipe them away. Looking at the T.V. playing the match, Maho smile seeing the Sensha-do drones fly over capturing the victory celebration of the girls of Kuromorimine.
In probably the most uncharistic moment from Erika, she came running over the snow up to the Sheska's tank as they were climbing down from it. Then Maho chuckle again, seeing her former second in command pick up Sheska by the waist and spun her around wildly, then slow down as the crews and tank commanders alike form into a mass of hugs, laughing and some crying for the victory.
They were celebrating like they had just won the Victory Flag, not just a simple match. Yet Maho understood their elation, for they had won through their own skills and abilities, finding their own Sensah-do style in the process. Making this win feel like their own, one they had achieved without a Nishizumni at their side, and now they could truly push forward knowing they can win.
"I need to stop feeling sorry for myself," Maho said to herself, then began to clap her hands together for her former team's success.
"Good job Erika, Koume, Anna, Sheska, Takamaru, and all of you. You've found your own style…you don't need to follow ours anymore," Maho said, though at peace with that.
Suddenly the drone shot of the match was suddenly switched as an on-field reporter was seen running towards the Kuromorimine celebration. A male reporter dressed in winter gear made his way through the girls who had now increased in number as their defeated members had been driven onto the field by trucks. Finally, the reporter found his intended target in Erika herself, who was just dealing with Koume who just jump into her arms and the two were embracing each other fiercely for what they had achieved togather.
"Miss Itsumi! Miss Itsumi!" the reporter call.
Erika turn to see the reporter and camera coming her way, as she let go of Koume a little, but kept an arm around her, while the girls of Kuromorimine all formed a circle around the coming interview.
"Miss Itsumi, you've just won a great victory here against a worthy opponent, how do feel?" The reporter ask.
Erika let out a genuine smile. "I feel…well I feel too many ways to properly describe it. Yet I am happy we could win as a team, especially our newest member of the team who won the day, Sheska!"
"Yeaaaaa!" The roar of the Kuromorimine girls for their german-born tanker echo, making the poor girl blush hard.
Making Maho in her bed chuckle to see the girl she had once recommended to Erika before the tournament as someone that had the making of a great tanker, had been proven right. Giving Maho a little self-satisfaction about her scouting skills.
"Now, the question is. With this win? Does your school regain the honor it lost due to your former commanders action?" The reporter ask.
The once jovial mood, now turned sour. All eyes bore anger into the reporter for his ill comment about their former commander, making the reporter tense up knowing he just might incur the wrath of these young girls. Koume made a move towards the reporter wanting to let him have a piece of his mind, but Erika held a hand out to stop Koume, as Erika's face was calm but a deep conviction was behind her eyes.
Then Erika spoke. "This didn't win doesn't grant us our honor back."
"Um, sorry?" The reporter said in a confused state.
"This victory is because of the very girl you wish to smear, so let me tell you something and for the rest of the league to know as well. No matter where we go or what we achieve as a team, it is for Maho Nishizumi who gave us everything," Erika said, her voice hard.
"Yet, why win the name of someone who is accused of bribery?" The reporter press on.
Erika just shook her head sadly at the man. "Because her actions weren't done with because of selfishness or greed, but to protect the one she loved, and nothing you can say will make her a villain in my eyes or my team."
Maho was shocked beyond words as Erika defended her honor, making her deeply grateful to her friend.
"Can you elaborate?" The reporter continue.
Yet instead of answering more questions that were slowly causing the rage to build within the girls, Koume nodded to her gunner Nagano who understood what she wanted. Quickly the gunner produce a large speaker from the back of one of the trucks, then place it in the snow. Nagano grinned as she press the play button, as Koume wanted to give Erika the surprise she had planned for when they won, while also making a good distraction from the reporter.
A theme began to play, making the girls of Kuromorimine grin as they began to wrap their arms around each other and began to sway with one another.
While Erika recognize the tune and blush hard, looking to Koume who had only a teasing smirk for her friend who had nowhere to run, as the Kuromorimine team began to sing.
Maho, even though separated by a great distance from her team, began to sing as well, feeling like she was right there with them.
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein
(On the heath, there blooms a little flower)
und das heißt: Erika.
(and it's called: Erika.)
Heiß von hunderttausend kleinen Bienelein
(Eagerly doted on by a hundred thousand little bees,)
wird umschwärmt Erika
(swarm around, Erika.)
denn ihr Herz ist voller Süßigkeit,
(For her heart is full of sweetness,)
zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid.
(a tender scent escapes her blossom-gown.)
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein
(On the heath, there blooms a little flower)
und das heißt: Erika.
(and it's called : Erika.)
The girls continue the sing, as Erika's blush went full tilt, while Koume kept an arm around her singing the rest of the song with her team. Yet Koume had done her job, not letting some overzealous reporter ruin the moment of what they had achieved, or what Erika had achieved, and finding her inner strength, Koume was never prouder of Erika than this moment.
As Kuromorimine ignore the outside voices and would honor the Nishizumi in their own way.
And the very Tigress who had given it to them, who would never be forgotten.
For Maho Nishizumi had given them everything and they wouldn't let her down.
XxxX
"Very sorry to not have fulfill our duties as Vice commanders," Oshida said as she bow, her uniform covered in black soot, as well as her face. Her uniform had some tears in it as well, practically telling the story of the fierce battle she had to hold off the Panther company.
"I am sorry as well, for not taking the enemy flag tank down in time, I've failed as Vice commander," Andou said, her uniform a little cleaner, as she hadn't been in much action till the final act, but had been more focus on commanding.
Marie currently stood with her back to the two, with her trademark fan in hand, she watch as French and American tanks, who have given their all against a tough foe, now be driven onto the loading platforms for their school carrier the Charles de Gaulle. As they had returned from the match that they had lost to Kuromorimine.
Though even in defeat, Marie reminded her team to be graceful. Sharing a small dinner party with the Kuromorimine girls, though only desserts were on the menu, making it more of a tea party in the end, but none complain as they were served warm tea and equally warm pastries. Yet, when that came to an end, they rode the train for home in silence, some girls crying quietly in their seats being comforted by those close, others staring into the void knowing their journey was over and just couldn't fathom how they lost.
With Andou and Oshida feeling the worst, knowing they had the tools to win thanks to their Lady's great tactical planning. Now the two felt like they had wasted all the work Marie had put in to win this match, making them withdrawn since the match had ended. Which was why they were here now, as Marie had wanted to talk to them privately before they board their carrier to get back out on the open sea.
Marie continue to watch the tanks being loaded, then sigh as she turn her around to her subordinates. She look at them still bowing to her, while she snap her fan closed in her hand. "Raise your heads."
The two follow the command, raising their heads to look their commander in the eye, expecting her to have nothing but disappointment in those large green eyes. However, they were greeted instead to that lovely smile that Marie always had, making their hearts lift from the despair a little.
"Mes dames, there is nothing to fret about. The results are now cemented into the history books of Sensha-do that we have been defeated," Marie began, making both Andou and Oshida clench their fist in anger over the word defeat couple with their team.
Marie smiled to see how upset they were. "Yet our future has not yet been written entirely, for we have pioneered the change for BC Freedom. To no longer be divided by our social status, that we are one when we stand shoulder to shoulder on the field of battle. Like a Macaron, we are now held together, as if even on part is not held unitedly it is ruin like we were before."
Andou lean closer to Oshida to whisper. "Why am I not surprised her speech has sweets involved."
Oshida whisper back hotly. "Learn to shut your lips when our Lady is talking."
Making Andou steam and ready for a retort.
"Ahem!" Marie clear her throat.
"Sorry," Andou and Oshida said together.
"Know, as your commander, I have never been prouder of you. I ask for you to make my dream come true, I ask for your loyalty, I ask you to give yourself to me wholeheartedly, and you passed my expectations. I…I could never ask for better subordinates….I could not ask for better friends," Marie revealed, turning her head a little as a blush came over her.
"Friends?" Andou said.
"Friends?" Oshida follow.
"Yes, you two are my friends," Marie said, finding her composure and turning her face to them again. "So as your friend and commander, can I ask for your all next year!? To fight our way to the top and see the Victory Flag return to us! To make big sis Azumi proud of her juniors!?"
"My lady!" the two agreed, snapping their feet together and stand upright, their eyes alight once more with the flame.
"Thank you," Marie said, then walk over to them. She tuck the fan away, then took both Andou and Oshida's hands in hers. Slowly she pull their hands up and place a gentle kiss on top of each one.
Making Andou and Oshida go wide eye, as this was the ultimate show of respect for the commander of BC Freedom to do for their subordinates. It was a show of absolute trust in their close comrades and their acknowledgment of their bond. Andou and Oshida completed the ritual, taking a knee and each kissing each of Marie's hands to show their gratitude to their commander.
Once they were done, Marie nodded to her friends. "I seem to have a tea party with my crew to attend, please take your time, we aren't leaving for another hour."
"But, I can es-," Oshida tried to say.
"I don't want to get in the way of you les amoureux," Marie said with a cheeky smile, then turn to walk away feeling giddy for the future of their club and of talking with Azumi to receive praise for her actions when she called, though a single tear roll down her lovely cheek knowing the journey was over, but their future was bright.
Andou and Oshida watch their commander walk away, while stun she knew they were lovers, since they had been trying to keep it a secret. Yet it didn't matter now, they both could care less if the whole carrier knew.
Both girls turn to one another, their smiles starting to form on their faces. Andou made the first move, wrapping her arms around Oshida and bringing her into a hug. Oshida relish the warmth of her lover, burying the side of her face in Andou's chest, as the blonde move her hands up Andou's back gripping the fabric of her jacket tightly.
It didn't take long for Oshida to begin to cry, as the loss was hitting her hard now, especially after the recent talk with Marie. Andou said nothing, gently running her hands through the blonde hair in a soothing manner, wanting to let her lover get all of it out. For awhile, they just stood there clinging to one another, as Oshida got her frustration out, till her cries rounded down to small sniffles.
"We were so close, huh?" Andou ask, still playing with the golden locks she had come to love.
"Thanks captain obvious," Oshida snap, making Andou chuckle as her lover never could not make a retort.
"Sorry, sorry," Andou apologize through her chuckles, then spoke again. "Hey, look at me."
Slowly Oshida move her head back, her ocean blue eyes finding Andou's brown eyes. Nothing was said, each just drinking in the sight of the other, forgetting their woe's, remembering their wants, remembering what made them happy. It was each other, even after the constant back and forths, there was no other person they would show this affection look for.
Andou felt her breaths become heavy, as she move a hand up to touch Oshida's face. Then lean slowly forward till her lips found Oshida's, coming together with gentle kisses to start off. Oshida replied in kind, wrapping her arms around Andou's neck, feeling like all the pain of the loss was being washed away just by a simple kiss. Yet, this kiss told Oshida everything she needed to know, of Andou's want to make her feel better.
Slowly Andou pull away from the kiss, though Oshida pouted a little, wanting more of her lover's kisses, making Andou chuckle and then spoke. "You're cute when you pout."
Oshida blush hard. "Don't tease me!"
Andou laugh, then spoke again. "I have a present for you."
"Huh?" Oshida said, tilting her head a little.
"Was supposed to be for our victory, but its purpose was more than about us winning," Andou vaguely explain, while reaching down into one of the pockets in her jacket.
Oshida watch with quiet intensity, as Andou produce a bracelet from her pocket. It was simple in design, nothing but a black piece of sturdy string tied together, but a pendant was what caught Oshida's eye. It was circular, with the image of rolling waves on a sunny day, designed in great detail which captivated OShida as Andou took one of her arms, then tied the bracelet around her wrist.
For a moment Oshida just blink at her new accessory around her wrist with deep fascination, then look at her lover. "Did you buy this for me?"
"No," Andou admitted while blushing hard. "I made it."
"You made it by hand," Oshida said, her heart beating faster.
"Yep, on my island, we have a tradition that might be a little primitive by your standards," Andou began, stopping as she felt too embarrass to continue.
Yet Oshida touch Andou's face gently, with a warm smile as she spoke. "It's ok, you can tell me, I won't laugh I promise."
Andou, though relieved by the encouragement, still felt embarrassed, but she couldn't stop now. "We make these bracelets, to show our commitment to the one we love and for our future together."
Silence took over between the two, as Oshida let the words sink in.
Then she grew bright red.
"You idiot! You're seriously throwing this on me! No warning! No nothing!" Oshida said, looking to the bracelet now.
"Well...uh...I couldn't help it...I...I...I love you!" Andou yell.
Oshida didn't know if she could get blush any harder or even keep steady on her feet, as she started to slip down, but Andou wrap her arms around Oshida's waist to keep her upright. The two then just stare at one another for a time, then Oshida fiercely grab Andou's face making the poor yelp thinking she had pissed the blonde off like no other and the pain inflicted would be painful.
Yet for a bit, those deep ocean blue eyes of Oshida bore into Andou, then the blonde spoke. "I will be in your care, I look forward to our future together."
Andou let out a breath of relief, then stop as she hadn't heard the response she really wanted. "And?"
Oshida turn her face away in embarrassment.
"And?" Andou pressed on, using one of her hands to bring Oshida's eyes back to her.
"I...I...I love you too," Oshida said with a blush, then before Andou could even think of doing a smug look, the blonde pressed forward to taste those sweet lips that would be hers and her's alone.
For even if these two had lost out on their dream of doing the impossible, they each had found something far more valuable in the end, something that they would cherish and hold onto and never let go.
As their journey in Sensha-do was over for now, but their journey together had only begun.