The Tigers of Chi-Ha-Tan ReRise Volume 4: The Scars of a Warriors Past

by Nazz11

With Miho leading the charge, the Tigress Corps have shown how deadly their fangs and claws are, as their roars of defiance echo across the land. Yet, while they rise, the Nishizumi family falls into disgrace, leaving Miho with a difficult choice. While a group of forgotten warriors returns to exact their revenge, and their target is the Tigress herself no matter what the cost.

16. The Thunder of a Lioness

Authors Thought:

Apologies for the day late chapter, had some things to take care of that kept me from uploading, not to mention editing is always longer than I anticipated. Yet thanks for your patience with this upload and the continuation of the story that will be a little irregular with uploads, since the next chapter took to so many turns to get done.

Thank you for sticking with me through this and for coming by to read, and enjoy the rest of your day.

Be well and be safe, and I'll see you very soon.

---

A mesmerizing day was taking place outside, as the Shimada estate in all its luxurious glory was being illuminated by the rays of the sun. Long rows of hedgerows dominated the back of the estate, neatly trimmed by the gardeners who work double time to keep the patches of various flowers gathered from around the world alive and well in their dirt homes. The estate itself rose two stories, with its red velvet wood structure seeming to be illuminated by the sun to shine brightly and only enhance the magnificence of the estate more.

Though for all the beauty to be enjoyed outside, there was something much more pleasurable being enjoyed inside the walls of this estate. As in the office of the headmistress of the Shimada family and overseer of the Shimada Sensha-do school, Chiyo Shimada was sitting on a luxurious crimson couch, dressed in her usual attire of a long elegant red business dress with a 19th-century design in mind, with beautiful pale skin, light brown hair tied with a black ribbon at the end, and hazel eyes.

Chiyo, with her eyes closed and a soft smile adorning her, was bobbing her head in beat. As she was at the moment being serenaded by a well-known folk song of the Finnish people, the Säkkijärven polka. It was popular with especially Accordionist, though the musician playing for Chiyo play the instrument on a plucked string instrument called a Kantele. With each pluck of the string under the expert touch of its user's delicate and dexterous hands, the notes produce a melody that could only be described as angelic or maybe sound therapy if Chiyo herself was honest.

That would be how Chiyo was viewing it, especially after so many long hours working to keep things in order for her grand ambitions. Being separated from her daughter who was in America training the new generation of tankers for Sensha-do, and her husband overseas doing his government work as an ambassador of Japan, left Chiyo a little lonely, though today was not a day to feel such things. Today she was enjoying this therapeutic melody that was nothing by sweet and relaxing to the ear.

Opening her eyes some, Chiyo look to the musician who was being so generous as to help calm her mind down, feeling her smile grow larger as she was looking at a growing beauty who could be a model if she so chose, having already been on the cover of Sensha-do weekly magazines from photoshoots. Across from Chiyo, sitting on a matching crimson couch, was a young girl of 18 years. She wore a simple light blue button long sleeve shirt, tuck into her black leather skirt with a white belt, with casual dress shoes.

Suddenly the song came to an end, with the young girl opening her eyes to look at Chiyo with an equally soft smile. Her pale skin almost matched Chiyo's, with light brown hair with some bangs coming down and matching light brown eyes. This beauty here was a mystery to the world of Sensha-do, but not to Chiyo, she was well known to the headmistress.

As who could forget family.

"Mika, my dear, once again you never cease to amaze with your playing," Chiyo praised, bowing her head to her niece.

"Aunt Chiyo, it is always a pleasure for me to play for you. As a man once said, music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart," Mika replied, bowing her head in gratitude.

Chiyo let out a small chuckle. "Pablo Casals?"

Mika's smile grew a little wider. "While you, my dear aunt, seem to be all-knowing."

"Reading is the best tool I've found," Chiyo spoke with a wink, then look outside at the gorgeous day outside. "I could have sat in the garden with the sun shining down on me, but this is more pleasing, as nothing can quite compete with time spent with family."

"I agree, though I hate that my visit must be short," Mika said, her voice laced with disappointment.

Chiyo nodded in understanding, bringing her eyes back to her niece. "I understand, your mother must be missing you dearly, though she was just as much of a free spirit as you are, could never stay in one place too long."

"That is my mother for you, her life was always about never being afraid of the unknown, but of always discovering it," Mika quoted while giving her Kantele a couple of plucks to produce some notes.

"Ah yes, that is Himeka. She always told me she travel the world before she was in her mid-twenties," Chiyo spoke fondly of her cousin.

Mika amusingly shook her head. "She didn't make it to even twenty-three."

"No, but even after your birth, she took you on long trips. I had half a mind to order her to stay at home until you were at least five, but I gave up trying to reason with a free spirit like her," Chiyo said.

A shrug from Mika follow the response. "What can I say? One cannot simply cage a free spirit, they can only watch them soar or how my mother explain it to me when she disobeys you."

"That would be her response...eccentric as it is, but that is her in a nutshell. Though she has been more grounded since her injury in the mountains of Brazil, how has she been?" Chiyo ask with concern.

Mika wave her hand to wash her aunt's worry away. "It was a simple sprain, nothing more, a freak misstep on a hiking trail. If anything, she is raring to go travel some more, but dad is doing his best to keep her mind occupied."

"A task I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies," Chiyo joked, making both of them chuckle once more.

As Mika calm down, she decided to change the subject. "I'm sorry."

"For what, my dear?" Chiyo ask with worry.

For a moment, Mika's eyes were downcast a bit, which was a surprise to Chiyo who had never seen her this way. Always was Mika very calm, relaxed, and pretty much unperturbed by anything happening around her, even stressful situations. Which was the reason she was a commander in Sensha-do, by Chiyo's guess anyway. Though she didn't share the last name Shimada, due to her mother marrying out of the family, she had a gift for the martial art, even at times Chiyo wondered if she be a rival to Alice growing up, even if Sensha-do wasn't Mika's main focus.

Mika seem to finally find her resolve to speak. "I'm sorry I didn't do well in the national tournament. My mother may have married out of the family, but losing against Pravda in the way I did only hurt our family's prestige."

"Oh," Chiyo voiced out, surprise adorning her face, then smiled gently. "This is a bit stunning to hear from you Mika, you have always been so causal in your approach when it comes to Sensha-do, win or lose, you just carrying on with your life."

"It is true, Sensha-do is not my focus in life, but still...I am a Shimada, by blood even if I don't have the last name, I have a duty to the family as I participate in Sensha-do. Besides, you were the one to show me how much fun Sensha-do could be," Mika spoke with a pleasant smile.

Chiyo nodded her head to her niece. "That is true, I still remember taking you on a ride aboard the Cromwell. You were bouncing in the cupola the entire drive as I held you as a small child, though of course, your mother wanted to show off with her drifts. Still, luckily I calm her down before she went through with it. However, that is just her style."

"A memory of those days I will never forget. I guess that is why I feel some remorse for my terrible showing in the tournament...for I fail you," Mika said, returning to a withdrawn state.

She may be a free spirit, but her heart is a Shimada at the end of the day, it is only good we don't enslave our family like the Nishizumi, which is why I must continue my late mothers work

Chiyo thought while looking at her niece with deep affection in her brown eyes. "Mika, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You fought with how you felt was best, the Shimada style is not of being cage to what is tradition, it is to what your heart tells you is right."

Hearing the uplifting words, Mika rose her eyes to meet her aunts.

Making Chiyo happy. "Your heart was completely in the fight to win, it was only unfortunate you met a foe who was just as determine as you, while a bit cunning as well."

Felling lightened by her aunt's words, Mika spoke. "That Miss Katyusha is quite the commander."

"Yes, the little blonde devil of Pravda, or so some pundits call her," Chiyo commented.

"Not openly," Mika added, making both of them grin.

"No, not openly. Though she is a force to reckon with, especially with that match against Maginot, not even bringing a single heavy tank, knowing the jungle environment would play against her team," Chiyo stated.

"She is a commander unlike any other, I fear I grew hasty to win early since she place her flag tank in the open for us, only to be played a fool," Mika replied, her memories of that match still with her.

Chiyo nodded. "Not even I would play such a dangerous game with my own flag tank. Then again, you were hoping that White Witch would snipe her in time."

That made Mika smile slyly. "How would you know of Juko's exploits? We have been quite quiet about her abilities."

"Oh, knowing things is my specialty, dear. She's been an unknown commodity in the junior circuits before she apply for your school, but gunnery records from matches and practices are that she is already on par with ace gunners like Miss Nonna and Miss Naomi," Chiyo stated.

"Ah, I forget your large information network. You are right, which is why I was looking to unleash this quiet witch, but I overstep. Hopefully, come summer I can give her the chance she needs," Mika replied.

"I already know that you will," Chiyo said.

"Now speaking of rising future stars, how is little Alice doing?" Mika ask.

Hearing the name of her pride and joy, made a feeling of warmth spread in Chiyo's chest. "Doing as I've expected of her. With her accelerated learning putting her in the college circuit, she has already bested the elite of their division."

"That is Alice for you, I still remember meeting her the first time, she seems nothing but cute and aloof," Mika commented.

Though Chiyo grinned at her niece. "Sounds familiar, doesn't it?"

"Ah, you thought the same of me," Mika chuckled at how some other Shimada's felt about Mika, though in a joking manner. "Sometimes, Aki and Mikko ask me if I and Alice are sisters because our mannerism and look is the same."

"I have half a mind to agree with them. Alice never opens up to any of her outer cousins as she does with you, she often asks for you because she misses your hangouts together," Chiyo spoke, making sure to convey the part of Alice missing her favorite cousin.

Mika nodded, understanding the subtle attempt by her aunt. "I miss her as well, she always makes for a pleasant time dressing her up."

"She often complains you never know when to stop," Chiyo joke.

"Only a little," Mika replied, trying to deflect any blame, causing both of them to chuckle.

Yet before anything else could be said, a knock on the door of the office grab both of their attention. Shortly following, the door opened, revealing a maid wearing a reach red kimono with white stripes. Quickly the maid bow her head to her mistress and her guest, as was required of her.

Raising her head, the maid spoke. "Mistress Shimada, your guest has arrived."

"Oh dear," Chiyo said, with a look of disappointment. "He is always punctual with his timing. I was hoping to talk to my niece for a while longer, but what can be done."

Mika nodded to her aunt. "It's quite alright, mother is probably worried about me, she tends to get antsy when I don't show up on time."

"Very well," Chiyo said, standing up from the couch, with Mika following.

The two family members came to one another for a hug goodbye, knowing that they would be separated for some time once more, with duties to attend to and all. Chiyo made sure to relish the hug as much as she could, as Mika was at times like a second daughter to her, as the free-spirited girl would often spend much time with Chiyo when she was allowed to get away from her duties and her travels. With Alice looking up to her like a big sister, which only enhance Chiyo's affection for Mika.

Sadly, the two let go, looking at one another for a long moment, then Chiyo spoke. "Please be safe on your way back and don't forget to come visit me. Alice will be coming back from her overseas travel in due time."

"I will, though I have to wonder, what is Alice doing overseas?" Mika ask with a sly smile.

"Enhancing her view of this world of ours," Chiyo replied.

There was a look in Mika's eyes that told Chiyo her niece didn't quite believe her.

"I do wonder if this enhancement is for the future of our family's Sensha-do style?" Mika quietly challenge.

She's a smart one, it's only too bad that my dear Mika has no taste for this kind of work or she make an even more valuable asset, but she has her path she wishes to follow and I have no right to drag her from it. Just as my late mother always wanted for our family.

Chiyo thought, then reply to her niece. "Of course, as is Alice's want to be the top commander in Japan when her time comes."

"It won't be long, I'm only grateful will never have to meet on the field," Mika spoke with a grateful tone that would never come to pass.

"There is always college, besides, Alice has been wanting to practice with you. I will have to arrange for her to visit your school," Chiyo responded with a hint of challenge in her voice.

"It would be a pleasure, Aunt Chiyo. Now, I should stop taking up your time and be on my way, take care," Mika said, squeezing Chiyo's hands with her own and leaving the room without another word.

After watching her go, Chiyo worked her neck side to side to loosen the stiffness she was feeling, while a wave of fatigue was starting to set in. This was the result of only 3 hours of sleep, having slave over her paperwork to make sure her plans didn't go awry. With everything so close at hand, she had become antsier as of late, knowing the golden rule with plans, that being they didn't always go smoothly and all it took was one setback to unravel it all.

Slowly the door to her office opens again, with her maid bowing her head to her guest to enter. In this guest walk, a tall, thin man with dark hair and large, rectangular spectacles, wearing a formal black business suit and tie. His name was Renta Tsuji, the Head Director of MEXT that was directly in charge of the school carriers of the nation, a none too easy task due to the complex clockwork nature that was needed to be well oil to keep the system running smoothly.

As bad of a rep as Renta had with others, due to his blunt and cold nature, there was no denying that since his takeover of the MEXT department a decade ago, had seen school carriers flourish under this watch. Logistics ships introduced were running madly to keep the carriers well supplied on their long voyages, instead of constantly being called back to port under the old way. Strict rules were placed to make sure the girls attending these carriers were of the highest standard, in their personality, work ethic, and grades.

Being a school carrier girl was not about the luxury of attending school on the sea, it meant so much more to it when your application went through. They were accepted out of thousands of girls doing the same, they were to be taught to be the next generation of women who help shape Japan, in all areas, be it in the world of business or even work in construction, these were the high requirements of its young ladies. For which, Renta doubled his efforts to make sure this standard was upheld and even raise higher at times, though that would lead to a drop-off in available applicants sometimes, nevertheless, there would always be the highest standard in its girl applicants.

Though, his higher standard and businesslike approach often put him at odds with those who demanded more, especially smaller schools who he often had to put on the low list of priorities, since there wasn't an endless supply of money to distribute. Carrier schools were costing Japan a small fortune to keep going, which often cause the need to search for outside funding from other nations for loans, which in turn made some of the carriers have stakeholders from around the world in the earlier days of the carrier school system.

That all ended under Renta's watch, having to seize back control through aggressive economic deals. Looking to wealthy Japanese companies to help with funding, securing deals that had always been rejected before, but Renta had a way with numbers that made these rich CEOs take the plunge into placing their own stake in these carriers.

All and all, even view by most of his colleagues as manipulative and power-hungry, there was no question the secret respect for this man's work ethic.

Just the kind of man Chiyo was delighted to have at her side.

"Miss Shimada," Renta began, bowing to her as they were left alone by the maid.

"Renta, how many times do I have to say it? First names are alright with me," Chiyo openly tease.

Renta clears his throat in a little discomfort. "I'm sorry, I haven't found my comfortability with that just yet."

"Really, even after all that's happened?" Chiyo questioned with an amused raise of the eyebrow.

"It's just my nature to be formal, even with you Miss Shimada," Renta replied, showing some visible discomfort with the subject.

Making Chiyo let a out small chuckle. "Very well, please be seated. Do you need anything to drink?"

Walking over to the couch, Renta spoke. "No, I'm alright."

Chiyo nodded, taking her seat once more on the couch across from him, opening her fan to cool herself down. "Now, let's get to business. How goes the preparations?"

"Quite well, here are the budget reports," Renta said while reaching into his briefcase. He pulls several papers out and places them neatly in a line on the table between them.

Looking them over with great interest, Chiyo nodded several times in approval. "I have to say, once more your magic with our budget is outstanding. With these figures, will be able to give all schools the care they need."

"Only because of your help, with your investors in America helping with this, I can finally stop having to allocate resources in the old system that Kodama wanted," Renta said, his tone even, but an uneasiness laid in it.

Chiyo snaps her fan close, eyeing Renta over. "Is once more relying on foreign funding, not your liking?"

Clearing his throat, Renta spoke. "There was some hesitancy during this initial plan you put forth to me. Yet the deals base of shareholding on the carriers is not as large compared to before. It's more balanced, allowing our nation to still be in charge of something we created."

Who would have thought Renta of all people was so prideful about his nation, small surprises life gives me

Chiyo thought, then proceeded with the meeting. "Good has there been any reports on the other issue we needed to resolve."

"In fact, there has, Miss Anzu has contacted my office to let me know that she has gotten the youngest Nishizumi to agree to the match in America," Renta stated.

For a moment, Chiyo closed her eyes with a blissful smile on her face, glad that things were proceeding as smoothly as any plan could. All these years of moving pieces on the chess board with careful steps, never reaching too far so soon, but this was only a part of her plans, just a small taste before the main meal was to be enjoyed. However, she was still going to enjoy this to the fullest as things proceeded.

"Very good, with the youngest Nishizumi agreeing to this will definitely make this upcoming summer interesting," Chiyo said happily.

Renta's expression didn't seem to have the same confidence, as he push his glasses up his nose. "I have to say, I'm surprised you are giving your rival such a chance. If she were to win, it would only strengthen her family's status, no offense to you of course."

"None taken, if anything I prefer a blunt statement than the hiding of your concerns," Chiyo started, looking to the large window behind her desk and to the beautiful day outside. "It is true, I am setting myself up for possible small failures if things don't go my way, but then again, my goal is larger than winning Sensha-do battles. My ambition is to truly enhance the world of Sensha-do beyond its current form."

Renta went into silence, his normally straightforward look taking form. However, Chiyo being an expert on understanding this stoic man could see his slight eye twitch. It was a sigh of slight distress and concern, all bottled up into this one single twitch. The concern was not about status or power, but simply over the Shimada name losing its gains, again not because he was working hand and hand with them, but for something deeper that made Chiyo's heart warm.

"My dear Renta, you truly care for our family don't you?" Chiyo ask, in her tone that was light.

The question only fluster Renta, who played at fixing his tie for his suit. "I'm just trying to make sure all of our bases our cover is all. We have been working together for the last two years on bringing to fruition all that you dream of."

"Of what we dream of," Chiyo corrected.

"Ah, yes Miss Shimada," Renta said, again becoming flustered with being included in this dream.

Seeing this stoic man would not bend no matter her efforts, Chiyo decided to go off-topic. "You know, since we're on the subject of the Shimada family, I like to thank you."

"For what?" Renta ask.

The reply was a soft smile from Chiyo, with a please tone to go with it. "You make my cousin Saika very happy."

Hearing the name of his wife made Renta blush a little. "It is she who makes me happy and that I'm grateful for your blessing for us to marry."

"Of course, Saika has always been a shy child as we grew up together. Struggling to talk to anyone besides me, making me worry about her love life, yet lo and behold, the Head of MEXT swoops her off her feet," Chiyo teased.

"I wouldn't say that," Renta started feeling more embarrassed. "She simply talk to me without that look of disdain or loathing others in my line of work have for me. Her smile alone was enough to make me want to be with her."

A nod of understanding follow from Chiyo, who began to remember the odd moment that had tied Renta to her family for good. It had been 3 years ago when Chiyo was only in the infancy of her work to push her family above the Nishizumi, she held a party at her estate with some of the higher-ups of the Sensha-do Federation. Though it was a good chance to make connections with other various department leaders, her main target that night was Renta himself, knowing that MEXT was the lifeline of the carrier schools and in turn a powerful influencer on its Sensha-do teams.

With Renta being such a rigid man, Chiyo ponder over how to approach, knowing her charm was not going to be her ace in the hole. Yet to her surprise, before she could even say a word, her cousin Saika accidentally bump into Renta, with the poor shy girl fiercely trying to clean the drink from his shirt. This small accident turn into an unintentional union. As both Renta and Saika found themselves unable to stop wanting to talk to each other, as they had found a common interest in things. Leaving Chiyo having to all but nurture the lovers till marriage was put on the table, binding Renta to the Shimada family, though Chiyo allow Saika to take Renta's last name, to one keep the marriage a secret from most of the Federation, and two to show Renta that Chiyo saw him as an equal in their union.

All and all, this had been a masterstroke of luck that Chiyo didn't let slip by, as she slowly work Renta into her plans, as the two worked towards their goals.

Bringing herself out of her memories, Chiyo spoke. "Either way, I am grateful. Saika is more open now than before and with the child, you've given her, I feel every time I see her, she is even happier than the last time I saw her."

"Yes, she is a dutiful wife, even though I must spend so much time away from home," Renta said sadly.

"I know," Chiyo replied, rubbing her stomach where her unborn child was growing. "Yet, that is that price of trying to improve Sensha-do for the betterment of others."

"Do you think this betterment is something that won't upset the establish order too much?" Renta ask.

"Oh," Chiyo started, opening her fan to cool herself off a little. "Are you worried about that?"

"A little. Sensha-do has such a long tradition within our nation, that change is sometimes not welcome," Renta spoke his concerns.

Chiyo nodded in understanding of these concerns, but she already had her reply to quell them. "It's funny when you say that, given how successful these new perks have been to Sensha-do...then again, these perks weren't Director Kodama's original idea were they?"

Renta look away for a moment, unable to bring himself to answer the question.

Even now, that bothers him to speak openly about it...though given how he was treated afterward I can imagine why it still pains him to talk about it

Chiyo thought, then tap her fan on the table to get Renta's attention. "You should not be ashamed to talk about it Renta when these perks were your idea all those years ago."

Finding his courage to speak, Renta look into Chiyo's eyes. "It was nothing but an idea I put on the table since Sensha-do was struggling to keep its footing with the public, due to other schools unable to compete with the top four and public interest was waning."

"Ah yes, do tell me how your idea was looked at?" Chiyo ask.

Again Renta became quiet, thinking about how Kodama and the board members responded to his idea.

Your job is to handle the carriers, not Sensha-do itself!

I guess you've let the power go to your head because you're handling of the fleet carriers

Do you even imagine the cost that we need to cover for these planes and artillery, not to mention keep the girls safe!

I bet you want full credit for this when if by chance it works out?

It only makes sense, his father ran their family tech company into the ground and now wants to find some way to redeem his family name.

Even at the cost of the integrity of our most cherished tradition, our nation's pride and joy, something that was founded to help build us up after the great calamity we endure after the war!

The voices of the former board members rang through Renta's mind, making him grip his pant legs with his hands tightly, as even after so many years, the anger he felt never left him. Though most of those previous board members had left, there was still Kodama who had the most say in the end.

Renta, do you believe this is how a Director of MEXT should act? We have been able to maintain Sensha-do by following the path that has been laid before us. Drastic changes like these are nothing but a desperate attempt for nothing more than profit, not in line with how the forefathers of our sport envision it. Please be more mindful in the future of your position

Those words forever settle the score on the subject of changing the sport, though that wasn't how it play out later. When Kodama announce to the new board members the change the year prior, he spoke as if it was his original idea and the new board members vigorously agree to it. Renta, who was present at that meeting was left seething like never before but was only stopped from making an outburst due to Chiyo who was present at the meeting as well, placing a hand on his shoulder and speaking soft words that quell his want to fight.

Hold onto this feeling, my dear Renta. Our time is coming and you will have the final say, so bite the bullet for now.

And bite the bullet he did and Renta return to his duties with no complaint, knowing his time was coming to enhance Sensha-do as it always should have been.

Bringing himself out of the terrible memory, Renta spoke. "I don't think I have to say how they responded, but because of you, that humiliation is nothing but a memory."

"Yet the hate remains, doesn't it?" Chiyo questioned with an amused smile.

"In some ways, but I know that you are building towards a brighter future for Sensha-do, but I do wonder sometimes still if it's too dramatic or if in the end you will be seen in a bad light," Renta stated his concerns.

Chiyo simply shook her head with amusement. "How about I calm this anxiety you feel with a question."

Renta raise an eyebrow.

"Why does every story need a villain?" Chiyo ask.

"I don't quite understand," Renta said a little perplexed.

Chiyo spoke once again. "They need a great evil trying disrupt the peace, bring down the great heroes who seek to save their ideals or their loved ones, or just plain cause chaos. It's what makes a powerful story at the end of the day, knowing the heroes are fighting to protect others against this great evil."

Still perplexed, even more so than before, Renta simply remain quiet as Chiyo continue to speak.

"Yet, how can one be a villain if their goals are for the betterment for of others. Sure their means may seem radical and drastic, but if we only mean to right the wrongs done to us, to better things for others, while bringing down others who only are willing to be stagnated with their ways for the sake of tradition, how can you be a villain?" Chiyo ask.

Renta clear his throat to speak. "You make it sound like there is no true hero in this."

"Sometimes there are no heroes or villains, just the gray area. Fighting for what we both believe is the right thing, but won't be looked at that way by each side. However, that means we will have done something that in the end helps everyone," Chiyo stated.

"Like the current board members," Renta said.

A sly smile crossed Chiyo's face. "Precisely, Kodama must already feel he has lost some support. He was already being questioned after that ridiculous idea of changing the tournament bracket in the last meeting. Now add in the American Nishizumi punching her half-sister and a perfect storm has been created."

"I honestly can't believe he tried to slide that in, it seems the ambition to leave his mark on Sensha-do went to his head. That and he has hinted this was his last year in charge before he retired," Renta replied.

"Yes," Chiyo started with a pleasant nod. "However, his retirement will have to come a little sooner if we are to progress things as they should be. Now, do you feel better about how we are to proceed?"

"Yes, Mis...no, Miss Chiyo. I feel much better and will serve you faithfully," Renta said, bowing his head to Chiyo.

"Good, now let us get on to other business. Show me the finical reports for each school for the following year," Chiyo ordered.

Renta nodded, then grab his briefcase once again. Opening it, he neatly place several papers on the table between them for Chiyo to read. With great focus, Chiyo pick each one up giving the paper a good look over knowing these were important for the future of Sensha-do that would no longer follow the old way. It was the new way that would see all teams be treated fairly and given their right to compete, unlike in the current era.

"Good, with this," Chiyo said motioning to the paper in her hand. "Every team should be able to compete at a high level."

"Your trial run with BC Freedom was a great idea," Renta stated.

Chiyo nodded. "Yes, though it was more for Azumi's sake since she cares for her juniors so much. However, at the same time, seeing a small team like that with just a few additions to their arsenal even make the great giant like Kuromine sweat was quite riveting."

"Even without their leader Maho?" Renta question.

"Maho made a choice that nearly could have cost her life, all in name of honoring the Nishizumi family or something else. To think Shiho would have no knowledge only proves how lost she is on how to run her own family, what an utter fool she has become," Chiyo said, her voice soft but hidden anger resonated in her words.

"You think with how she treated her daughters, would make them want to be far from her. Yet her youngest made a dangerous journey to go see her," Renta said.

Though speaking of her former rival made her face contort into disgust, the mentioning of Miho made Chiyo's face soften into a smile. "That girl has more grit than I gave her credit for. Receiving that police report of a crazed journalist claiming he had found Miho Nishizumi in Toyko, I thought it was false, but to my surprise, she was reported to have made it to the Nishizumi estate thanks to the guard who remains there who reports to me."

"I thought you were only using the maids for information on them?" Renta ask.

"Never place your eggs in one basket as they say," Chiyo said with a light chuckle.

"Though you told Miss Shiho you never spy on her again?" Renta continues to question.

Chiyo simply shrug. "I did and I plan to leave her be from now on. However, knowing that Miho return home and has helped Shiho recover herself is good to know."

"I mean no offense, but sometimes I don't know if you're trying to destroy your family's greatest rival or trying to make them stronger. Especially when your given Maho another chance to compete in this upcoming match in America," Renta once again question.

"As I said before, every story wants a villain, but when they want to improve things by breaking them down, then can they truly be villains? Are progression and growth to be despised? I may hate the Nishizumi of old, but this new era that could be birth could only help my family. As the great Lewis Mumford once said, a certain amount of opposition is a great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with, the wind," Chiyo stated.

Renta nodded in understanding, then spoke. "Though in this case, it's a woman."

"Oh my, Renta the cold and calculating is trying to be a sweet talker, I guess my cousin is having a profounding effect on you," Chiyo teased.

Which cause Renta to blush a little, while pushing his glasses back up his nose to try and hide the fact as he spoke. "Well, if everything is in order, I best be off."

"A moment please," Chiyo ask, causing Renta to stop his leaving as he gathers the papers.

"Is there something else you need?" Renta ask as he closes his briefcase.

Chiyo shook her head. "No, nothing I need, but something I can do for you."

"Huh?" Renta question.

Looking past him, Chiyo called to the door to the office. "Please see them in!"

Before Renta could ask once more what was happening, the door to the office opened with the maid leading the way, once more bowing to the guest coming in. Following was a mature woman, with long flowing light brown hair that was tied in a loose ponytail over her right shoulder and bangs just hanging near her hazel eyes. She wore a simple light blue blouse and flowing black skirt that only enhance her loveliness.

In her arms though was a three-year-old girl, though unlike her mother she had long black hair but share the same hazel eyes, a trait of both of her parents. Wearing a white dress added to her adorableness, as she seem quite giddy in her mother's arms ready to see someone.

Renta shot out of the couch in a flash. "Saika?!"

"Hello dear," Saika said warmly.

"Papa!" the little girl squealed, her face flashing with a smile of pure joy.

"Rina!" Renta excitedly spoke, now coming around the couch to his family.

His daughter held her arms out to be taken, to which Renta responded to her wants taking her in his arms. Quickly Rina wrap her arms around her father's neck, squeezing him as tightly as she could. Saika now came up to Renta, reaching a hand out to touch his face, with Renta just smiling as wide as he could, then leaned close to give his wife a quick kiss on the lips, glad to be reunited.

If only others could see this and then tell me Renta is nothing but a man who cares for power...yet people always want someone to detest and I'll make sure every one of them bite their tongues when the time comes

Chiyo thought rising from her seat as well. "Do excuse me for stealing your wife from your home, but I figure this was the best reward I could offer you."

Turning to Chiyo with his daughter still clinging to him, Renta bow his head to Chiyo. "No, I can't find the words worthy to thank you, being able to see my family after so long."

This Chiyo understood, it was the sort of thing she was going through, having work come between being with your loved ones. Renta's job as the director of MEXT meant long hours of traveling from carriers and their port facilities, making sure supply routes were in working order and everything was running smoothly. No simple task from what Chiyo had come to understand about what the job required, that seems like such a glass work system that could shatter at the smallest setback, but Renta work tirelessly to make sure all carriers and their schools we provided for in the end.

Save for Oarai who was the only carrier that didn't have a Sensha-do program before now, but Chiyo had been the one to convince Renta to give them a chance by proving themselves, instead of simply closing them down. Now this unknown school had turned heads and was only helping Chiyo progress things faster than she thought.

"Cousin, you're looking radiant as ever," Saika spoke up with a bow, dragging Chiyo from her thoughts.

"That's my line, Saika," Chiyo joked.

Both women chuckle, then Rina spoke up in her father's arm. "Auntie Chiyo!"

Walking over Chiyo gave her niece a head pat. "Hello Rina, I think you've gotten bigger since I last saw you."

"I have! I have! I'm going to be a Sen...Sen...," Rina struggles to sound out the word.

"You're going to a great Sensha-do tanker, right?" Chiyo answered.

Rina beamed. "Yea! Just like you and cousin Alice!"

"I know you are, just like your mother," Chiyo said, then gave the little one a playful tug on her cheek making her giggle, then walk over to Saika, as Renta and his daughter began to speak.

Both Shimada's came together for a warm hug, then broke apart as Saika spoke up. "I can't thank you enough, with all of Renta's work, he hasn't been home for a week. Rina was starting to cry at bedtime when he didn't come home."

Looking back over her shoulder at the playful father and daughter, Chiyo spoke happily. "I'm partly to blame for that since I have him doing so much extra work on my behalf. The least I can do is let him enjoy the comforts of being near those he loves the most."

"I honestly had doubts if he could interact with kids if we had some, even if he is a gentle soul at heart, he never seem to like kids," Saika said bashfully.

"Well, it's good you had a daughter first then, remember what my mother use to say about having kids," Chiyo said, looking to her cousin now.

Saika chuckled over the words she remember fondly. "All men should have daughters."

"It puts honey on their tongues," Chiyo finished, making both women chuckle again over the late Orika Shimada's words she would tell all women of the Shimada clan as a joke.

As Saika calm down, she look at her husband again fondly. "It is true though, ever since Rina has been born, he speaks with such tenderness, fusses about her being out of sight, and constantly reminds me how grateful he is for me. It makes me sad people still see him in such a dark light."

"If anything they had reasons, before you, all he did was work. Pushing others to their brink, because his work ethic and demands of himself were at levels you can't believe. Before he knew it, people just saw him as nothing more than a power-hungry man, not to mention what happened with his father's company that shamed his family, meaning he needed to work harder to wipe that shame," Chiyo explain.

Though the explanation didn't seem to quell Saika's worries as she spoke. "I still can see that sadness in his eyes over that whole ordeal if we talk about it. Not to mention that business with Oarai that had him so twisted, knowing what he had to do for the benefit of the other carriers," Saika said.

Chiyo simply nodded. "Yes, he fought over the shutdown with their school's headmaster who refuse to change and restart the Sensha-do program, though Renta try to be reasonable with him."

"Why is he like that?" Saika ask.

"The Oarai headmaster is part of the old guard, stubborn to a fault. However, Renta has given them an out and even with this loss in the tournament, they have another shot to keep their school open, so there is no need to worry about your husband stressing over that anymore," Chiyo replied.

"Thank you Chiyo, it's not like Renta wanted to do it. He did everything to keep them funded, but sooner or later things become too much," Saika spoke in a determined tone.

"Oh," Chiyo began, touching a hand to her lips. "Is my sweet Saika working in MEXT now? You were always good with numbers, it only makes sense."

"Ah, oh no, just sometimes I talk to Renta about his job when he comes home, so I've picked up a couple of things," Saika said embarrassed.

Chiyo nodded. "It helps ease his mind having someone smart and considerate to vent to, being his lovely wife is a bonus."

"You're teasing me cousin," Saika joked.

"Just like when we were kids," Chiyo said, patting her cousin on the shoulder. "Well now, it's time for me to take my leave."

"Really? Why not stay? Your niece would love for you to be around," Saika pleaded.

"I know, but I have other duties. While I also believe you want some family time that has been missing," Chiyo said, looking back to Renta who was being shown by his daughter how high she could count now.

Looking to her family, Saika nodded. "I do, I've missed having him home, yet I know his work is making sure other families are happy, though people won't ever praise him for that."

"I think he doesn't look for that, he just works in silence and doesn't seek praise, admirable really. However things will change in the future and people will see him in a better light, I promise cousin," Chiyo affirm.

Which made Saika smile gratefully. "Thank you, Chiyo."

"My pleasure," Chiyo said, then turn her head back to the happy father and daughter. "Renta, please do stay the night at my estate with your family. Rooms have already been prepared for all of you."

Renta instantly went wide eye. "Miss Chiyo, I have to get back to the office."

"No, you have to spend some time with your family. One night away won't cause a collapse, besides I already contacted your staff, and are going to be fine. Now enjoy your time with your loved ones, you've earned it," Chiyo responded.

"I...I...," Renta tries to make a case.

"Papa! Papa! We get to stay together right?" Rina pleaded in her father's arms, with a look too cute to say no to.

Looking at his daughter, Renta could only smile. "No, papa will stay right here."

"Promise!?" Rina press.

"I promise," Renta said softly giving his daughter a tug on her cheek to make her giggle.

"That settles it then, I'll be taking my leave," Chiyo said, bowing to her guest, then made her way out of the room to give the family their much-needed time together.

Soon, Chiyo found herself walking down the hallways of her estate alone. Once more the feeling of longing for her own family to be together begin to take root, but she push these wants down, knowing that the day to be with her own husband and daughter would come. Patience was a virtue, something Shimada's had come to understand over their long history. That all good things come in time, not instantly.

Finding herself stopping, Chiyo brought a hand down to rub her stomach, as there was a little life growing there as she spoke. "Till then, I have you for company don't I, little one?"

Suddenly her phone rang with a notification, causing her to reach into her pocket. Taking a glance at the notification, Chiyo smiled as she spoke. "Seems my alma mater is in the final act of their match, I do hope they continue to grow, especially with the extra funding they receive from past Tea Garden members, since the time for St. Gloriana to step out of the shadows of the giants and show their resolve is here."

---

"Um, Miss Darjeeling?" Orange Peko ask as she sat in her loaders chair, dressed in her schools Sensha-do uniform consisting of a black skirt, high black boots, and a red coat complete with gold buttons and shoulder epaulettes.

"A moment, my dear," Darjeeling said in a soft tone dress in the same uniform, taking a sip of her tea that she was named after.

A sudden violent shake outside their tank, the pride and joy of St. Gloriana's arsenal in the Churchill Mk 7 heavy tank, that was marked as the flag tank of the team. The interior rumble with the sudden shaking of the tank, though were most crews be gritting their teeth in trepidation over being shot at, Darjeeling's crew simply took some sips of their tea as if it was nothing but a pester to them. As was expected of the girls of St. Gloriana, to be calm and elegant in all things, but most importantly in Sensha-do and the chaos of its matches.

Orange Peko look to call out to her tank commander again, but suddenly there was an ear-splitting screech of metal on metal, as their Churchill's turret was smashed by a shell. Darjeeling, with closed eyes, shook a little in her tank commanders seat, while Orange Pekoe did her best to keep the kettle in hand from dropping, while Assam look over to her calculation board beside her gunner seat. Again, there was no panic about the shell hitting them, as the Churchill was built to handle being pelted by shells with its 152mm of armor on the front of the hull and its front turret.

The screeching was gone in an instant, replaced by another round of violent shaking as more shells from their foe were coming in. Darjeeling simply sigh, as she couldn't take a proper sip with the constant thumping, causing her to open her eyes and look through her front periscope to the world outside her iron castle.

What greeted Darjeeling in her narrow field of vision was greenery, with a rolling grassland that was accompanied by small patches of bushes and trees, a common battlefield the ladies of Sensha-do would fight over. Though beautiful and peaceful, the ground itself around the tank was shredded by shells being tossed at Darjeeling's Churchill, with grass torn up with craters taking its place, bushes were practically blown out of existence, and what few trees had been giving them some shade earlier, had been punctured by the heated shells and felled.

Making Darjeeling, being a lover of nature and its beauty, feel a thang of regret that Sensha-do could be so destructive at times, but what was eating at her heart more than the destruction of mother nature, was her teammates who were in forward positions from her own tank. The two escort tanks in the form of Matilda Mk 3 tanks were situated sideways towards her position, their hulls batter from being hit with shells, smoke billowing from their defeated tanks with guns depress all the way down as they were allowed, and most damning was the dreaded white kill flag pop up marking them to be out of the battle.

Their commanders had been Elderflower and Ginger, who had placed themselves in the line of fire to keep their commander and the flag tank safe, something that didn't sit well with Darjeeling to have her trusted teammates pay for the sudden ambush being thrust upon her by their foe.

That foe was the unknown, but deadly Viking Fisheries High School, whose clockwork tactics had gotten them to this second round and now were being used to isolate Darjeeling from her team.

Or so they thought.

"It seems for a school usually on the more reserve side, they're quite forward today," Darjeeling commented, as their tank shook from another torrent of incoming shells.

"It's fortunate you plan for this, picking the ground carefully," Assam spoke, as she look through her gunners optic to look outside, as the dust from the impact of shells was washing over them.

For their heavy Churchill was located behind a defile in the rolling grassland, only allowing the turret of the tank to peek over. A position Darjeeling had carefully picked during the earlier hours of the match to work to her own plans to draw the foe in while playing to their schools defensive tactics of placing their tanks in positions to make their armor even more difficult to penetrate and let the enemy come to them.

"As always, Miss Darjeeling plans for every scenario," Orange Pekoe praised, though her face turn a little concerned looking at said commander. "However, I believe our guest have arrived earlier than you predicted."

"That is true, as Viking Fisheries is all about timing. However, it seems their patience is what will be their downfall, as it's about to be all used up in a moment," Darjeeling said calmly, again taking a sip of her tea, even as her tank shook from another volley.

"Um, but the situation does remain in the air for us still, with the rest of our team attacking their main force with their flag tank," Orange Pekoe pointed out.

"All according to plan, as I'm sure Rosehip will finish in record time, meaning we just need to give her that time," Darjeeling replies.

"You put a lot of faith in her, why is that?" Assam question.

Darjeeling smile softly, looking to her gunner in front of her. "Feeling a tad jealous, my noble sister?"

Hearing her commander use the nickname most around the Sensha-do world know Darjeeling, Assam, and Orange Pekoe by, caused Assam to blush a little.

"Not jealous, more of just a concern," Assam corrected.

Orange Pekoe tilted her head. "Concern?"

"I think speaking behind her back is not in line with the ideals of the ladies of the Tea Garden, please forget it," Assam tries to dissuade.

Though Darjeeling was not about to let the issue go, even if there was a certain etiquette the ladies of St. Gloriana follow, with gossip being a big no for these future ladies. However, they were only human, gossiping happen either way in small circles, but never was it allowed to grow large enough to divulge into hurtful rumors that could sully someone's reputation.

Leaning down, Darjeeling touch Assam's shoulder, making the gunner look to her. "My dear Assam, do not worry, what will be said here will not leave this tank, right ladies?"

Orange Pekoe agree right away without hesitation, which was followed by both the driver Chai and bow gunner/radio operator Ginger. Which made Assam nod gratefully, as she didn't feel it was her right to speak any ill of others, even if it was just a simple concern, but sometimes it was hard to ignore facts.

Turning to look over her shoulder, Assam spoke. "I feel Rosehip is becoming quite bold with her success after the first round, not in a bad way, but just a tad overzealous you might say. Thiers this need in her to prove herself that I believe is clouding her situational awareness and makes her act on her own at times."

Darjeeling sigh softly. "You're not the only one I'm afraid, Rukuriri has voiced her concerns as well to me in private. Though I feel that is down to her dislike of Rosehip's more eccentric side than anything."

"They have had some butting of heads as of late," Orange Pekoe commented.

"Yes, much to my chagrin. However, that is partly due to Rukuriri's long family history with Sensha-do, her mother and older sister both were part of the Tea Garden in their day, being excellent tankers and even better ladies in the working world. Meaning she has much lived up in terms of being a proper and upstanding lady, as well as a great tanker like they were, elegance and grace included," Darjeeling explains.

Assam nodded a little. "Making Rosehip, who has no ties to the Tea Garden, who had to earn her way into our school through her academics from a low-level middle school, who is now a platoon commander also didn't sit well with some of the other girls."

Darjeeling was about to reply, but another couple of violent shakes of her tanks from incoming shells cause an interruption in the talk, but once it was over Darjeeling spoke again. "I can understand their indignation since Rosehip is lacking the gracefulness that is required of us. However, her need to attack with speed, without needing of handholding makes her invaluable."

"Exactly...," Orange Pekoe began to say, but stop as another volley of shells splattered outside their tank, causing another rumbling of the Churchill, but the loader began to speak as things calm down. "It's this sort of freedom that Rukuriri and others are most concern with."

"I understand, but Rukuriri will learn why I place so much faith in Rosehip, just as much faith as I put in her," Darjeeling said, taking another sip of her tea.

"Miss Darjeeling!" Ginger said from her bow gunner seat. "Message coming through from our Operator tank."

"Put her through to me," Darjeeling said, placing her tea cup and saucer down while grabbing her wired communicator off the radio near her position. "Nilgiri, how do things fare on your side?"

"Quite well, Rosehip has cut off their retreat, while the rest of the team is pinning them in. However, they aren't making things easy, since they've positioned their tanks in a defensive circle to protect their flag tank," Nilgiri replied.

Darjeeling's face contorted into deep thought, then reply. "How about the air battle?"

"Miss Sparrowhawk reports her ambush is a success, though they lost two of their squadron, the rest are still armed with rockets for ground attack," Nilgiri reported.

That made Darjeeling smile. "Good redirect air support to you, force them to scatter and send Rosehip in to hunt for their flag tank and push it into to position for our tank destroyer to deal with."

"Very good, though what about you? You're isolated from the rest of us?" Nilgiri question with concern.

Darjeeling nodded in appreciation of her subordinate's worry about her, not just as the team's flag tank, but as her commander. "Not to worry, I shall be alright, as my knights are on their way to rescue me."

"Uh, very good then. I shall commence our final operation, over and out," Nilgiri confirm, then cut the net call.

Putting the communicator back on the hook, Darjeeling look back to her front periscope just in time to see another dreaded torrent of tracer shells come screaming at her tank. Incoming shells were either low, smashing up the ground around the Churchill sending up dirt and grass over it, while others were high, as the enemy still struggle to get on target.

This only please Darjeeling, knowing that her position was causing issues for Viking Fisheries gunners, not to mention trying to find the weak point on the Churchill's impressive armor.

This is St. Gloriana's Sensha-do style, never do we panic, never do we overstep, always calm, for we are not going to be just a top four team anymore, our goals are grander than ever before and I will not stop here.

Darjeeling thought as a smile tugged at her face, as the dust settle from the volley, and the sight before her in the limited field of view of the vision block was most welcome as she spoke to her crew. "It seems my dear ladies, our scones are ready to enjoy."

Orange Pekoe, not took a hold of her periscope over her loader area to get a look outside to understand her commanders meaning. It didn't take long to make out what was happening, as the attacking force of Viking Fisheries had seemed to have enough of distance shooting, as they broke from their cover of bushes and trees. It was 5 tanks in total, 3 of them were the Panzer 3 Ausf.J, the workhorse tank of the early war German panzer forces painted in the schools light grey color scheme, with the last 2 tanks being the late war M24 Chaffee's, built for speed and great maneuverability on the field, while sporting the great M3 75mm gun made it a light tank with a more effective punch than their Panzer 3 sister tanks.

The Viking Fishier attackers came on in a single line with the Panzer 3 tanks in the middle, while on either side a M24 Chaffee was covering the flanks. Even on the move, the tanks continue to unleash their guns, sending a constant flow of shells at the hull down Churchill, but finding no better success than they had earlier before. Only the Chaffee's were able to get close due to their built-in gyrostabilizer, making them the deadliest tank to Darjeeling if they got around the defile and at the sides of her tank, that at close ranges wouldn't bounce a side shot from the American tanks.

"Indeed the scone has been broken quite nicely," Orange Pekoe said, a confident smirk adorning her face, now looking to her gunner.

"All we need to do is enjoy the taste now," Assam responded, her face matching her loaders as she lean forward into the gunner's scope, her hand gripping the firing trigger, waiting for her commander's orders.

"Though we must not be greedy, we have guests coming to have a taste as well," Darjeeling calmly said.

"Understood, on your order," Assam replied.

Looking through her front periscope, Darjeeling pick her target. "Will leave the Chaffee tanks alone for now, traverse right." Darjeeling stopped as Assam began to swivel the gun turret right to the target, then Darjeeling lay the final orders. "Steady...on, target Panzer 3, 500 meters, fire when ready please."

Assam calmly and efficiently began to elevate the gun to the range, while making some adjustments as she deem fit due to the 6 Pounder gun's low velocity making their rounds arc over longer firing distances. Once Assam felt comfortable, she gently pull on the firing trigger with her glove hand, seeing the oncoming Panzer III in her reticle still firing away at the Churchill tank, with Assam going to return in kind with the deadly precision she was known for.

"Sending," Assam said coolly, not raising her voice, as all gunners of St. Gloriana were like, as even amid the chaos of battle they remain elegant.

Though the roar of the 6 Pounder was anything but elegant. Its blast was deafening, as the spent shell was shot out of the breech in a rage and into the shell catcher bag just below the gun breech. The M61 shell screamed across the grassland, arcing up and then coming down in quick succession, all the while Darjeeling watched from the periscope as the shell smash the frontal armor of the Panzer 3. With a smile of pleasure, Darjeeling watches the tank come to a sudden stop, as it billows smoke from the spot as a white kill flag pop up speaking of its defeat.

"Always on target, Assam," Darjeeling praised.

"It's nothing, just the product of your training regimen for us gunners," Assam deflected, already working on swiveling the turret to the new target.

Always never does she boast, even if she is one of Sensha-do's best gunners. A trait which I admire of my dear Assam.

Darjeeling thought, knowing that unlike Assam's rivals in Naomi of Saunders and Nonna of Pravda, who each use tanks with more powerful guns than the Churchill's, meant Assam had to be more precise with how she aimed to make up for the lower velocity QF 6 Pounder gun. Yet there was no complaint from Assam who work the gun like an expert with no equal, judging distances with little to no error, able to lead moving targets without trouble, and more importantly, remain cool during a barrage from the enemy that in most cases could unsettle gunners being shot at, as their heavy tank was always a target for enemy teams due always being the flag tank.

Led Assam to have the highest accuracy of shell hits among her rivals, at a staggering 97%, though her takedowns were low due to having low stopping power for a gun, but only made her limited tank kills that much more impressive, even taking down 2 T-34/85 and a T-34/76 tanks in the 62nd National tournament against Pravda in the Semi-Final, but would lose as they prove too much for them in the end.

All this made Darjeeling grateful, as any tank commander would feel more at ease on a battlefield when they only had to tell their gunner the direction and let them do the rest.

"Miss Darjeeling, the M24 Chaffee tanks are flanking hard around, it won't be long before they are on our side," Orange Pekoe said, her tone with a tad of distress mixed in, as she use her periscope over her area to track the hard-charging American tanks.

Looking around her cupola at the vision ports, Darjeeling could see that was about to be the case, but then again, no panic, only a tranquil look was on her lovely face, with perhaps a little mischievous smile spreading.

"Assam, distance for reinforcements?" Darjeeling ask.

For a moment, Assam became deep in thought, seeming to go over her calculations, as she was not just a beauty, but extremely smart, being one at the top of her class in academics with only Darjeeling as her main rival in that regard.

Finally, Assam seem to finally find her answer and look over her shoulder at her commander. "Judging by last know location and their top speed of 52 km/h over the mostly flat terrain that you marked out to them, I say they shall be here in thirty seconds."

"Very good, then let us finish this race," Darjeeling said, her usual soft smiling face, taking a more determined look, her eyes glossing over like she was a lioness about to finish her hunt by making the final lunge to bring its prey down.

That prey would be these unfortunate tanks of Viking Fisheries, who had given them a rough time, but would know that everything had indeed played out in a timely manner, but for Darjeeling.

"Chai, please move out, marching speed, need the enemy to think were desperate. Load AP, Assam, gun front 12 o'clock, target is another Panzer 3, but don't fire till I give the order" Darjeeling ordered, as she open the hatch over her cupola, so she could stand tall.

"Ma'am!" her crew replied as one.

Chai quickly got to work, releasing the handbrake of the tank, then stepping on the gas pedal. Though one of the war's slowest tanks, the Churchill had an impressive ability to climb hills without losing speed due to its long tracks, making it one of the great tanks of the Italian campaign. Which made the small defile they had been using as a hull down position no problem, as the Churchill climb out and was on flat ground charging its foe in no time.

It was then the remaining Panzer 3 tanks seeing the heavy British tank coming at them, now stop their charge to begin firing. Their shells conveyed the wrath of their crews, as they came screaming in hoping for the takedown, but only found they were doing no better if they got out and threw tennis balls at the enemy tank. The shells bounce off the front of the turret and the tank's hull, sparks flying, the ear-wrenching sound of metal scraping metal filled the air, but no damage, besides mildly irritating Darjeeling's crew.

Darjeeling herself, still standing tall in her cupola, never wavering from the incoming shells, turn her eyes to either side to see the M24 Chaffee tanks had completed their flanking movement and were now at the sides of the Churchill some 100 meters away, each stopping while traversing their guns to the slow-moving tank coming on against their line of Panzer comrades. Their M3 75mm guns traverse quickly, bringing to bear the killing shot, as their guns, though low velocity, could puncture the sides of the Churchill which would cause the systems aboard to recognize that as a takedown.

Their victory was in sight, the dream of making their school's first semi-final trip in history was all but a step on the firing pedal away.

Even with her tank in the line of fire, this was what Darjeeling wanted, the moment that would ensure she build on her reputation as an able commander that all of Sensha-do would know. As this was a new era for St. Gloriana and no one would stop its rise on her watch.

"Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters. Be patient and trust the process as a great man once said," Darjeeling spoke with confidence oozing from her tone.

With that confidence about to be put on display as well, as the attacking Panzers and Chaffees were about to understand.

A sharp volley of cannon fire filled the air, something akin to the Redcoats of old, whose musket volleys broke the backs of many enemies of the British Empire. Though this volley was in the shape of three cannon's, whose flashes from their cannons were bright like fireworks in the sky, their tracers shells soaring over the space from positions behind the Churchill, looking to bring down the enemies bearing ill will towards their beloved commander.

Their zeal was felt, as the three shells found their targets, smashing them with solid shots. Both flanking M24 Chaffee tanks, whose light armor was meant to allow them to be speed demons, now was their bane as each was smack in the frontal armor knocking them out with guns depress over their sides, smoke billowing, and their white kill flags popping up, stopping any danger to the Churchill with their crews left in a state of shock, having just been a step away from victory.

The third shell found a home in a Panzer 3, which paid the price for now being in the open. It was left in a defeated and pitiful state, like its sister tank earlier. In a flash, the once imposing attacking force of Viking Fisheries that had to believe victory was in sight, was now down to one lone tank, against the might of St. Gloriana's mighty Churchill and its newest tanks to the roster.

Darjeeling look over her shoulder to the rear, her smile growing ever wider to see her knights coming to her rescue, which would be soon known to all of Sensha-do to fear, for when they rode into battle, none could match these cavalry tanks who would mow down any in their path, even the most dreaded German cats.

Coming into view was a forgotten tank of the British forces, its elongated chassis was like the Cromwell tanks, but with extra road wheels that were needed to keep its balance within the tracks. Its lightweight design made the top speed at over 52 km/h on even rough ground. Yet this was not what made this odd tank to be fear, as that was reserved for the dreaded 17 Pounder gun incase in its large hexagon-like turret that had a four-girl crew with two loaders, making the rate of fire at 5 seconds, which was well beyond the Sherman Firefly of Saunders.

For this was the A30 Challenger and for these poor foes, it was making its debut against them, to prove why it was to be feared around the league.

Quickly the 3 Challengers drove up to their Churchill sister tank, forming a solid firing line with her, speaking to the discipline of their crew's training. To the right, the hatch above the Challenger popped open, revealing Darjeeling's trusted and steadfast tank commander in Rukuriri, a girl of medium height, with brown eyes and long brown hair tied in a braid over her left shoulder. Darjeeling consider her to be her second in command, as her discipline and focus were next to none, for whenever Darjeeling needed things to be done with no diverging from the plan, Rukuriri could be trusted to get it done.

However, that rigid nature made her at times lacking in creativity, something Rosehip excel at, which Darjeeling had marked down as why the two butted heads at times. Though that made them equally important, as both Darjeeling's swords that could attack, counter, and defend when needed and she would use them as such to get the most out of her team.

"Miss Darjeeling, I'm glad we got here on time," Rukuriri spoke, with a salute.

Darjeeling nodded to her subordinate. "I never doubted you be here and to make things better." Darjeeling stop to reach down to be handed a fresh cup of tea from Orange Pekoe, which she took a satisfying sip, then turn to her subordinate again. "The tea is still warm."

Rukuriri smiled gratefully, as this was a way Darjeeling was saying she was pleased by her performance, which nothing made Rukuriri happier than earning praise from Darjeeling. Which at the same time, made her internally grimace knowing that Rosehip would receive the same praise, even though the Crusader platoon leader was a freewheeling tanker who always diverge or alter her orders to suit her need to get in the fight.

I still have no idea why Darjeeling puts her faith in that glory-hunting girl, but it's not my place to speak of such things of anymore, my job is to make sure our lady reaches her goals and show why her faith in me is unquestionable.

Rukuriri thought, then turn her head back to the single Panzer, whose crew seem to be in a state of shock, just frozen in place as they face down this host of tanks by themselves.

"Shall we finish them?" Rukuriri ask her commander.

Darjeeling didn't answer right away, looking to the lone Panzer still rooted to its spot only a few hundred meters from them and even if they try to run away they wouldn't outrun the guns, then made her decision. "Let us not be barbarians, this is Sensha-do, not war." Then Darjeeling brought her wired communicator up, opening a net call on the surrender plea channel, the only channel available for rival tanks to talk to each other if only to ask for surrender.

"Ladies of Viking Fisheries Panzer 3, you have fought valiantly, but the tide has turned. You may choose to keep fighting and we will answer in kind to your fighting spirit, but I humbly ask for your surrender. Know that none here will doubt your courage this match if you do, the choice is yours," Darjeeling spoke in a determined tone, wanting to not have to mercilessly put this tank down when everything was stacked against them.

For a few moments, that seem to drag on, Darjeeling and the rest of her comrades waited for the reply. Their gunner's fingers were hovering over the triggers, sweat dripping down their face, knowing that they have to react fast if the Panzer wanted to stay in the fight. None of them would blame the opposing crew for doing so, but they didn't want to have to mass fire on one tank, it be in terrible taste.

Something that Darjeeling had to admonish Kola Forrest's tank commander Bluey for, when word got out about what happened in their practice match with Chi-Ha-Tan, which did not sit well with the girls of St. Gloriana who had good relations with Kola, though lucky things seem to be forgiven between the two sides, in some capacity at least.

Finally, the net call came back. "This is Kjellberg, tank commander of the Panzer 3. I humbly surrender myself to you."

A collective gasp of relief came out from all of the crews, knowing they didn't have to overdo things.

Darjeeling talk into her wired communicator. "Thank you, Miss Kjellberg. You were an honor to duel with."

"The same to you Miss Darjeeling, over and out," Then Kjellberg cut the net call.

"Short and punctual, as usual with Viking Fisheries," Darjeeling spoke to herself. "Now, we just need Rosehip to fin-."

Bam!

The match ending gun sounded, with a net call coming in from the referees. "All tanks are to cease hostilities, Viking Fisheries flag tank has been taken down, St. Gloriana takes the match!"

Darjeeling smiled taking another sip of her tea, with a lovely smile following. "It's still warm, very good Rosehip, you are proving to be the tanker and lady I always know you to be and you're only going to grow stronger. The same way Earl Grey thought of me, is how I shall think of you my daring cavalier."

As the ladies of St. Gloriana were advancing once more to Semi-final, a place they know to venture to but were never able to climb over to the promised land of the final. Though that was then, this was now, and these proud girls would see this through no matter what.

---

The sun was setting on the day, as spectators of St. Gloriana and Viking Fishier match were heading home. Most were talking excitedly about how the match played out, hanging onto the edge of their seats, as they were thinking that there was a possible upset on the horizon for the girls of St. Gloriana, only for those thoughts to cease as their newest tanks broke the ambushers and the most talk about rookie tanker, Rosehip, had secure the win for her team by disabling the Neubaufahrzeug, Germany's first heavy tank design, and leaving it for their Jagdpanzer 4, a boon from the win against Yogurt Academy, to fire for the winning takedown.

Another notch on the impressive rise of St. Gloriana's new tactics that had trounced their last two opponents who could not match the deceptiveness of Darjeeling, who was being given the nickname the Royal Fox, as the new identity of the once slow attacking school, now favored flexibly, speed, and deception to win the day. Which only added more popularity to the school, especially with new British tanks at their disposal to unleash on their foes.

With said commander Darjeeling herself, speaking to Viking Fisheries commander near the loading area for their tanks to be placed back on the trains that would take the teams to their respective carriers and back to sea.

"Miss Anniken, it was a pleasure to have a match with you," Darjeeling said, bowing her head to the young girl.

Anniken, was a girl of medium height, with long black hair that shine with the setting sun, Though one of her bangs fell low over her left eye, only leaving one bright blue eye looking back at Darjeeling, wearing their tankery uniform of a red skirt, blue field jacket, with a neat single row of light brown buttons.

"As it was...for me. I'm grateful you allow my subordinate the right to surrender," Anniken spoke slowly, seeming to be wanting to be on her way, as the girls of Viking Fisheries were always very reserved, wanting conversations to be short, as was part of their school's culture.

Darjeeling would make sure to act in kind as she spoke. "Yes, they put up quite a fight, but I was lucky my reinforcements were on standby, as I had a feeling you had something up your sleeve."

"It was my only chance for victory, though our timing was thrown off with the quick assaults by your Crusaders," Anniken replied, though seeming to be bored with the chat.

"It was the plan, but I see our time is running short. May I make my request for a capture reward?" Darjeeling ask.

"You may," Anniken spoke.

"I would like an M24 Chaffee please," Darjeeling answered.

Anniken nodded, her single blue eye closing in acceptance. "Very well, it shall be sent to you quickly."

"Thank you, it shall be taken care of and will carry your schools fighting spirit with us into the next round," Darjeeling replied.

"I hope it will serve you well, now is there anything else?" Anniken said, her antsiness starting to be unable to control.

Best end this before she walks away entirely.

Darjeeling thought, then spoke. "Yes, one last thing, Miss Pekoe," Darjeeling gestures for her subordinate.

Orange Pekoe nodded and came forward with a basket in hand, which she handed to Anniken who took the basket with a quiet thank you. Looking inside, Anniken was greeted to the sight of a couple of tea cups engrave with names of famous places in Norway, like the great Sognefjorden, a large ford that was a popular spot for travelers, among other ones. As Viking Fisheries school had a close association with the nation, with some Norwegians themselves attending said school. While at the same time, this basket had significance to it, as this is St. Gloriana's way of saying that they see their opponents as worthy foes, a great honor that no school could overlook.

Anniken's reserved face became awe at the tea cups, which only made Darjeeling smile seeing the reaction that probably not many people had seem out of this reserved commander. Which again reminded her why she had come to love Sensha-do so much, was not just for the matches or riding tanks, it was the idea of bringing so many different girls together, as the end of the day, their bond was like no other, for no other could enjoy this feeling but them.

"I...I'm eternally grateful, Miss Darjeeling. You are the noble and gracious lady everyone says you are and more, I pray for your success in the coming round and know you will have the support of Viking Fisheries all the way to the final," Anniken spoke rapidly, her face becoming a lovely sight with a smile and eyes sparkling.

Darjeeling let out a light chuckle, then spoke. "You need to be of the moment, not far ahead, not to far behind."

"Anna Wintour?" Anniken question.

A nod of approval follows from Darjeeling. "The very women, which means I'm staying grounded. We have a lot of work to do to make it to the final that is no guarantee, which was how I approach this match as well."

That sent Anniken into another state of shock, as Darjeeling was basically telling her in that sentence of the respect she had for this minor school. Of course Anniken wanted to win, though her confidence in obtaining it against a top 4 school was lacking, thinking at the same time they didn't see her and her team as worthy. However, that wasn't the case here, even if they had been trounced by St. Gloriana, that was only because they gave everything they had against them, not holding back just because they were lacking in tanks.

In that way, even if the match was lopsided, there was respect given to these ladies of Viking Fisheries, and never would Anniken forget it.

"I thank you once again, Miss Darjeeling. For you looking at us as a true opponent and not another stepping stone to your own success," Anniken replied with a bow of the head.

"As I thank you, for giving me your all that has only made me better as a commander and my team. If ever you want a practice match or even to just visit, please don't hesitate," Darjeeling said with a bow, Orange Pekoe following her commander's example.

"I will, please have a safe trip home," Anniken said, then with one final bow left to board her train for home and show her team the gift of their newfound tankery friends.

As Anniken walk away, Orange Pekoe came up to Darjeeling's side. "Now it's on to the semi-final, my lady."

"Yes," Darjeeling replied, still watching the opposing commander leave, then turn on her heel to start her way back to her own train and to her team waiting for her. "We have a challenger that isn't about to let us by without a tough fight."

"Though they are without their commander and the Nishizumi style behind them. Kuromorimine was also almost defeated by BC Freedom, which would have been an upset in every sense of the word," Orange Pekoe spoke, keeping pace with her commander.

"Hm, never doubt when a tiger is back into a corner, my dear. We've already seen what happens when you do and the girls of Oarai paid the price," Darjeeling said, thinking of a certain tigress that had piqued her interest ever since she had seen her in the qualifier match.

"Miss Miho is to be feared, but she doesn't lead Kuromorimine," Orange Pekoe continue to question.

"No, but her family's teaching is still with them and most importantly has evolved under their new commander," Darjeeling spoke.

"Miss Erika...you believe she will give us a difficult match?" Orange Pekoe ask.

"Undoubtedly, but then again, there is more than one way to skin a cat and we aren't done shocking the world with our new arsenal. Is the newest tank ready for deployment?" Darjeeling ask, looking at her subordinate as they were about to reach their train for home.

"Yes, the final test has shown it's in match condition and ready to deploy. On your order will reveal it to the team for practice," Orange Pekoe confidently answer.

Which made a sly smile form on Darjeeling's face. "Good will show the girls of Kuromorimine, that there are some shells just too tough to crack, no matter how powerful their bite is."

---

A clear night sky hung over the calm seas, with a full moon shining down on the waters that reflected with its illumination giving off a bright blue hue. The waves were gentle, lapping over and over, as a slight wind push northward. Everything about this tranquil scene could relax the soul, even as it was just simply the planet doing what was natural. However, the best way to enjoy this sort of scene might not be from the ground level, but from a place up high.

With a certain someone who was enjoying the moment, being in the place she always felt at home, the air.

As the sound of a single-engine plane roar into the night sky, as it passes over the calm waters at a slow pace. The moon itself illuminated the object to the point even a small boat on the water this night could easily tell what was soaring in the air. For it was Japan's most deadliest fighter of World War 2, the A6M5 Zero, having earned a reputation for its impressive maneuverability and firepower, though it would be outclassed later on in the war, it still held great respect from its adversaries and fear when in the hands of an ace pilot.

Which this particular Zero did have an ace at the controls, who could not love more than flying this machine and by her track record in the Sensha-do tournament, was an ace among aces within their fighter group who serve alongside the tankers of Sensah-do.

"Still got a ways to go," Aozora said from the cockpit of the Zero, dressed in the flight uniform she wore for Sensha-do, looking to her right to the passing sea under her plane, as Miho was fast asleep in her lap. Though it made for a cramped fit in the cockpit, Aozora was alright with it, especially knowing her Tigress commander was with her.

Though her voice was not in her usually chipper tone, due to the fatigue the long flight was taking on her. Having picked up her Zero that had been transferred to a private airfield near the Nishizumi estate, then making use of the plane's long-distance capabilities that it could travel, to make it all the way to the port city of Narashino. From there Aozora had taken only a 5-hour nap, before being ready for a night flight, much to Miho's complaints, but Aozora pressed on, wanting desperately to get back to Akagi.

As much as Miho had been right in the regard that they could wait, Aozora could see Miho was missing her team like no other, under the façade of sweet smiles she try to put on. While as much as Aozora had enjoyed her alone time, she knew that Miho's place was with the tankery family as a whole, which had helped bring the young Nishizumi back to her feet and given her a place to belong. It was only by the addition of the perks of Sensha-do that Aozora was allowed to come into Miho's life, which always left the pilot with nightmares if this had not come to pass and they had never met.

With these thoughts for her motivation, Aozora, feeling the fatigue of such a long journey, pressed on no matter how she felt. For Miho had endured being interrogated by a craze reporter who threaten her with violence, then having to face down her sister and the untold truths that they both had against each other. With the climax of their journey having Miho face her mother, who for a decade had held her youngest at arm's length and at more times than not in contempt for her failure to keep in line with the Nishizumi style, though now the two had finally come to an understanding and hopefully rebuild thier shatter relationship as mother and daughter.

Even one of those events would probably leave a girl her age scarred for life, but Miho was just pushing on as if it was, as they say, water off a duck's back. However, Aozora was not a believer that anyone was that tough, even if it was Miho. There was only so much someone could take before they snap, which was why Aozora wanted to get her home, back to the warmth of the tankery family that awaited their commander and tankery sister's return. They would be the ones to keep Miho together, just as she had done for them at their darkest.

"Mm…strawberry…short cake…please," Miho mumble in her sleep, making Aozora chuckle.

Looking down at her passenger in her lap, Aozora took her hand off the throttle lever and brought it over to rub Miho's head in a soothing manner. It seem to ease the girl, though the only thing causing her dream a disturbance was the lack of cake, but a smile formed nonetheless. Looking down at Miho's lap, Aozora took in the sight of the notebook the young girl had been writing in earlier. The pale moonlight reveal the notebook was filled with drawings of attack formations, tank movements, and various other tactical information for the Chi-Ha-Tan team. She had been doing the work under a small flashlight during the flight, before she suddenly slump against Aozora as fatigue took her, unable to match the pilot's mental endurance.

"Our Tigress never ceases working for her team, but that's why she's the best in all of Sensha-do," Aozora said with pride, being gentle as she could to lean Miho back some into her, giving her a better resting position.

Aozora then look back to the passing sea below, her mind wondering how Nishi and the others were handling Miho being gone. It definitely had to be a shocked when they found out Miho left the carrier, but Aozora knew that Nishi would keep things under control, as she always did, making her a great second in command for Miho to have. Things would probably be its usual wild and fun process as was the team's culture, but they be ready for the next challenge in the Semi-Final with a unbridled glee in their eyes, and their fighting prowess ready to be unleashed.

"While I'll be the one to make sure that the skies are covered, so you girls can take this all the way to the top," Aozora said to herself, as she lean back in her seat, trying to find comfortability as best she could for the still long flight.

Aozora, why do we love to fly?

A sudden voice came to Aozora in her mind, the voice of her late father. A man who was the reason she became a pilot herself, the reason she had persisted even when she failed the entrance exam into the air service for her country. While also a reason Aozora blame for her more eccentric flying, due to his own need for dives and loops, even with his young daughter hanging on for dear life when he took him with her.

"You ask me that so long ago, when I was just a little girl," Aozora said to herself, mulling over the memory of that day. "Yet, I don't think I ever gave you a straight answer, did I?"

The answer isn't so simple, as some pilots might think. It's something all of us pilots must discover for ourselves.

An answer Aozora was still pondering to this day. Her passion was undeniable for flying, but her love was something she was still discovering, as the two weren't the same. For so many years did the question escape a resolve for Aozora, who just went about her life as she always did. However, there was something that had changed for her in this past year since she had joined this new era of Sensha-do.

This burning in her chest, which had grown with her time at Chi-Ha-Tan. Making her more astute in her duties as a leader of her squadron, where before she was more lacking, wanting fun over procedures or drills. Yet, in this odd game of playing at war that was considered a martial art, flying her nation's most iconic fighter, and protecting her ground-pounding little sisters, this once free-spirited woman, was now all business when it came to their task for their team.

As I'm sure one day, my little eagle, you will find your reason for truly loving to fly that will push you past limits that aren't meant to be broken, and only then will you truly soar above the sky, never forget.

"I won't dad, I think I'll find it one day," Aozora said to herself, giving Miho's head some more affectionate rubs. "Yet, I'll take some more time to discover it, so make sure to watch me."

As the Zero continue its flight into the night sky, in search of its home carrier the Akagi. For the reunion with the tankery family was so close at hand, but unfortunately for the two souls aboard this plane would soon discover, that things would not be as they should be. As the conflict between the new and old was about to play out, the past coming back to claim its right of being remembered for good. Souls looking for forgiveness for past transgression, and a team divided by tradition was all in one place.

How was it to play out?

Only time would tell.