Chapter 11: Footsteps Reaching the Swamp

That Saturday after Mardi Gras... I didn't realize the girls from Cobras Fumantes were nearby at the parade. They got to participate in the acts involved... Even Bourbon Street. I can remember my mother explain to me that when it comes to Brazilian girls, they have a natural tendency with their straightforwardness. But anyway, The morning for the match was rather ecstatic. There were rebel flags being flown from both sides of the aisle. Cheers were given no matter who was in the lead or to be the victor. Everyone just wanted a good match to watch and it seemed both teams were more than willing to do just that.

The biggest thing we didn't account for with our opponent was that the Louisiana swamps and marsh would be virgin territory for the girls below the Gulf. They were able to maneuver the terrain in a frighteningly swift motion that they were able to trap the STONEWALL in the marsh before shooting the treads off the massive tank. Didn't take too long with a barrage of the tanks firing round after round on the Tog II that I saw the white flag pop up from it. The Johnston girls were able to get a move on and even took out a couple of Brazilians but things did not look too good. We were too used to the plains field in our ship. I could only imagine what was going on through Dixie's mind while her tank was still in the mud.

Mosby's Rangers were right behind Forrest and the two worked together to keep the enemy off each other's back. They succeeded in taking out a tank but they were both taken down in the end. Hood was in front of LEE and did their best to keep the other team's attention away from Delilah's tank as she retreated. It was a bitter success, we lost Hood but LEE was able to escape and regroup with the rest of the team. Longstreet stayed in place as Brazilian tanks began to make their shifting movements. Like snakes, the enemy seamlessly found the southern girls and began opening fire. It was one against four. Longstreet didn't last as they were shot four times in rapid succession.

All that was left was LEE, JEB, and Beauregard. The three had to make a hasty retreat but in doing so caused JEB to get stuck in the mud. The other two decided to stand next to Henrietta's tank and began firing off in a last stand. The rest of the Fumantes girls caught up with those giving chase and the we the audience became witness to a startling exchange of cannonfire that ultimately resulted in the Cobras Fumantes in victory with three tanks standing and the Johnston's Rebels all defeated.

There was cheering and hollering over the show we just saw. We got to see great sportsmanship displayed as the Brazilians helped each Rebel out of their tank and not get dirtied as they were transported on the Brazilian tanks. By the time everyone else went home, the rebels were standing in a row in front of their team captain. Dixie looked like she's been struggling to keep tears from escaping her eyes.

"Do not be discouraged, do not expect easy victory at every turn. Today will only be a tragedy if we refuse to learn what led to our defeat today." Those were the words Delilah gave her teammates. There was no rebel yell, everyone looked distraught over what had transpired. One of the Brazilian girls came over to us and began talking to the team captain. Delilah clapped her hands and asked, "Who's hungry?"

Turns out the girls from Cobras Fumantes had set up a feast for us to enjoy. I guess it's really a tradition with tankery. The winner treats their adversary to dinner after the match is over. Such a gesture to help liven up spirits with the rebel girls... All except for Dixie. At least, she was the most obvious about how she felt after all was said and done. While the rest of her teammates were lining up for a late dinner, the commander of the STONEWALL tugged at my wrist. I was able to get two cheese breads and followed her to the stands.

We were alone there. Nothing but the warm, humid air to keep us company. In the distance, I could hear frogs croaking along the setting sun, each giving their remembrance of the day that passed them by. The moment my eyes met Dixie's, she broke down. I held out my arms and let her fall toward me. She was bawling her eyes out as I patted her on the back.

"It's alright," I said as I felt her grip on my collar tighten.

She shook her head. "No, I made a stupid decision and that caused my team to lose."

"We're all new to the terrain, don't be too hard on yourself."

"Well, it doesn't help that I was the first tank to go down! The team depends on the Stonewall."

"Yes," I muttered. "Your team does depend on you." I paused for a few seconds, trying to figure out the best words to use. "You made a bad call today, but you can make a better one next time."

"I got cornered by the Brazilians, they outsmarted me. I don't know how I'm going to do with the rest of our matches."

"First of all, you were the deciding factor that led to our team's victory when we were in Serbia." It was a struggle to keep a straight face and not chuckle over what I was about to say next. "And second... This might sound stupid coming from me, but, just because there are people better than you doesn't mean you should stop trying."

Dixie looked up at me. "You've heard that one from somewhere."

I scratched the back of my head. "It's something my dad told my sister. There were times when she ended up last when swimming and she gave a similar face you gave."

Dixie's face began to blush. "I see." A few minutes had passed and the commander of the STONEWALL was able to regain her composure. "What caused you to stop trying?"

I looked down. "I'd... Now's not the time. We're talking about you."

"Please? I know I didn't do a good job handling myself this time but can you make an exception?"

My head was still looking down. It was at that moment I remembered that I had grabbed some bread for the both of us.

"Here," I said as I handed her some cheese bread. "You need to eat."

She took the piece. "Thank you," she said before taking a bite.

"You remember when I told you that my mom often says that I can't let things be good for too long?"

Dixie nodded as she took another bite.

"It wasn't just the car accident. There were other times where I would end up doing something stupid. I don't know why these kind of things happen. No matter how much I try to improve or set things right, I always end up causing my progress to collapse."

"Do you think that will happen with the tankery team?" She asked as she finished her bread.

I took a moment to gander at the feast. In the distance I could see some of the rebels have fun conversations with their competitors and some even dance and sing. "I hope not."

Dixie took my hand in both of hers and held it close to her. "I promise you that if such a thing happens again, I will be by your side."

I smiled at her. "I appreciate that."

She pulled me into a hug. "You don't need to be afraid to talk about these kinds of things. Let me repay the favor."

"I'll do what I can," I said as I returned the embrace.

"Come on," she said as she took me by the hand. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving. Let's hope there's still some food left. Thanks for the bread."

"No problem," I said with a nod.

We made our way back to the rest of the girls and saw that at most a fifth of the food was still available. We each grabbed our plates and filled up with what we could. Before we could get to our table, Delilah waved over to us.

"Hey guys! Got someone who wants to me you!" The team captain called out.

We took a few bites from our plates before walking over and we were face to face with a Brazilian girl wearing the same kind of uniform Dixie and Delilah were wearing. We were standing amidst a Confederado.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Dixie said as she extended a hand to shake.

The girl shook her hand. "Hello, I'm Katrina, I'm guessing you're Dixie. Delilah here's been saying a lot about you and which tank you command."

I could see Dixie's eyes shift from her friend and the Confederado.

"It was unfortunate you ended up driving that tank in terrain it wasn't built for."

"Yes, very much so."

"I'd love to have a rematch and see just what you can do with it. Heard you were the last surviving tank when you faced off against Nedić."

"Well yes..."

"Also," Delilah started. "This here's Johnny, our team manager."

Katrina turned to me and looked at me from head to toe before extending a hand to shake which I obliged. She turned to Delilah, "Eles ainda não estão batendo?"

I didn't understand what she said however, it made the captain of the Lee laugh. "You're keeping that to yourself."

"There's another thing to bring up," Katrina said as she began yelling at her teammates until one of them brought a bottle over to us. "We were planning on using this for Mardi Gras but we ended up having too much fun to need it. Take it as a gift from a new rival."

Delilah took the bottle and looked over the edges and handed it over to me. "I'm trusting you with this since you're the least likely to be searched for contraband."

"Uh, thanks," I said as looked at the brand on the bottle. Fausto Merlot. Red wine.

Delilah then started to whisper in my ear. "Try to make sure the faculty don't see you with that."

"I'll try my best."

"You'll have to excuse us," Dixie said as she took my by my left sleeve.

"By all means," Delilah said with a wink.

"Não vá muito rápido agora. Você pode tropeçar." I heard the Confederado say.

As we were walking back to our table, I turned back to see Katrina give me a sly look. It seems I'll have to deal with two Delilah's tonight but it didn't matter that much as we were at our table. I got to my seat and I was able to finally see Dixie's face was blushing once again. This time it extended to her ears and she even had to raise her hands and cover her cheeks and eyes.

"You alright?" I asked as I took a bite of some chicken wings.

"I went and did it, didn't I?" Dixie said before slowly returning her hands to the table.

"Delilah will always find a way to tease us."

"Yeah," Dixie agreed as she got into her beef pastry.

"Think of it this way, so long as we take the abuse together, it won't be as bad."

Dixie smiled. "I'd like that."