Greetings, everyone. From Ranma/Pretty Cure to Vandread to Gundum Seed to Pokemon, and now I have staked my claim within the Girls Und Panzer fanfiction section. For this one, I heavily diverged canon by adding elements from Little Army 2. Not only that I managed to add one more element that would probably blow your socks off and that is adding an other character in a way that no one expected...by making him an Instructor tank along with a few others who would play support to the team as a whole.

And yes, that was no typo on the last word in the last paragraph either, as you would see from this chapter alone. Let's see how big the changes would be with the introduction of these elements into the mix, starting with this first chapter entitled...


Chapter 1 – Allow Me to Introduce You

A month after the 62st National High School Senshado Tournament, two major events had happened to Bellwall Girls Academy.

The first one being that Jinko Yoshinaga, the Senshado Team overall commander leaving the school for still unknown reasons and the second being the sabotage of the Academy's school ship – battleship, Sovetskaya Ukarina that had heavily damaged the engine room and broke two of the massive propeller shafts in the ensuing explosion.

Thankfully, the damage was minor overall, yet it was enough for the school ship to remain in dry dock for an extended period of time. It was estimated that the whole propeller shafts had to be taken off and replaced by new ones that would take two years to make alone.

The first was devastating to the team leading to its division to two factions, one led by Chifuyo Doi and the other being led by Neko Yamamori. The second was devastating to both the school itself and even the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology that was in charge of the school ships.

A series of meetings between the Bellwall school officials, the student council, MEXT, and even those of the nearly bankrupt Ooarai Girls Academy were made to provide a solution for both schools.

The resulting solution was to combine both school ships with their students moved to a set of buildings refurbished to fit their students while the schools were now combined, and their organization also combined. It was estimated that with luck, the whole combination could be done within a span of a year.

It was this situation that Miho Nishizumi had found as she had transferred to Ooarai from her old school of Kuromorimine Girls Academy. The reason being something that she would rather keep a secret until it was time.

-oOo-

Second year high school student Miho Nishizumi had just transferred to the newly-revived school ship – Zuikaku (home of the Ooarai Girls Academy). It was not the same Zuikaku as before since it was now about as big as Aquila (the school ship of Anzio Girls High School) due its combination with Sovetskaya Ukarina and the combined school body and faculty was slightly larger than either Ooarai or Bellwall.

The medium sized girl with short light brown hair and a pair of light brown eyes had remembered her group of friends that had shared her love for sensha-do years before as she had passed a bakery on her way to school. It made her sigh that the same love had withered recently because of an event still fresh in her mind.

'Thankfully, this school doesn't have Sensha-do.' Miho thought with a small smile while looking at a convenience store near her apartment where a poster for Boko was also seen. 'It's nice to be normal again.'

She was so deep in her thoughts that she had run into a street sign for a pedestrian lane.

-oOo-

Ten minutes later, Miho had gotten into the gates of Ooarai/Bellwall Girls Academy. She then headed straight towards her classroom in the third floor thus missing the three persons who she would recognize in an instant head to their own classrooms at the same floor one after the other.

During lunch time, she then met two girls – a ginger-haired girl about her height and a taller girl with waist long black hair. It was the ginger-haired girl who had called the light brunette's attention as the latter had dropped some items like her eraser due to her clumsiness.

"Hi, would you like to eat lunch with us?" Saori then asked the still sitting senshado ace. "If you don't mind that is?"

"Saori, you seemed to have startled our new transferee." The brunette then admonished her fellow classmate. "I'm sorry since my friend is much too forward sometimes."

"I'm really sorry about that," the girl called Saori then added with what she hoped was a sincere smile. "We just want to make new friends this year."

"Would you like to have lunch with us?" This time, it was the taller girl who asked in a politer manner and softer voice. "It's alright if you'd like to eat alone."

"Me?!" Miho could not help but reply in shock. "Uh…um."

"We really don't mind, right Hana?" Saori Takebe then interjected to calm down the poor girl. "We just thought that you'd like some company since you're obviously new and all."

"I-I'd like that," the light brunette then said before joining the other two to the school cafeteria. "Really I do and thank you."

"You're welcome," Hana then said with a 100 Giga-watt smile. "Let's go."

-oOo-

Once in the cafeteria, Saori then blurted out. "You know, Miss Nishizumi. You really are a klutz, aren't you?"

"Y-yeah, I just couldn't help sometimes especially when I'm nervous."

"Do you mind if we can call you by your first name?" Hana Isuzu then gingerly asked, careful on not scaring the other girl in the process.

Miho had thought for a moment before enthusiastically say "Yes."

While eating, Miho had confessed that she had gone to Ooarai alone. Saori then gave the reason - a romantic angle that seem to be off-tangent.

Hana then said. "Did something had befallen your family? Or a family feud? Or a problem with inheritance then?"

"Um…no, it's really nothing like that." Miho then answered with blank expression. 'This girl probably has watched all of the dorama on air recently and maybe some of those from Korea and China as well.'

"Oh, maybe your dad has moved to another place because of his job then?" Saori then added with unrestrained curiosity. "Is he in the military?"

"Um…he's actually passed away about twelve years ago." The transferee then answered with her head down. "Our family has changed since then."

"I see," the tallest girl then said with a nod. "Well, let's eat before this food gets cold."

"Yes."

Even then, Miho had felt some long forgotten familiar presences that made her look in random directions as she ate her meal.

-oOo-

In another room in the island of the school ship - Zuikaku, six students were talking about the consequences of their just concluded actions.

"Wouldn't that be tampering with classified school information?" One of the girls then said with worry written in her tone of voice.

"It's all right as the end justifies the means after all," came the answer from another of the girls. "What do you think, Juri?"

"I say that damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead," the one called Juri then answered. "Even with our combined monetary resources and additional sources of income, it seems that a certain someone is looking for the right loophole to close us down permanently. Then again, we still need to have enough students to fully balance our budget and to do that, we need to make a name for ourselves first."

"But Miss Juri…"

"No buts, Suzuka." A monocle wearing girl then interjected roughly. "We're running out of options as well as time here and unless we can suddenly produce three billion yen in the next few months, we'll have to take this particular bull by the horns."

"Alright, but are all of us responsible for this?" The girl called Suzuka then added with some tears in her grey eyes. "The last thing we need is for the faculty and the student body to call for our heads on a platter for a major infraction of the rules."

"You don't need to," the second voice then said with sudden seriousness and clarity. "This is my sin. I'll bear that weight alone."

"Prez!"

"I'm not going to repeat myself…" the twin-tailed redhead added with a deeper tone and a tear in her left eye. "Let's just get this over and done with."

"Of course, Student Council President." The tall monocle wearing girl had answered in a monotone as she gave the twin-tailed girl another large pack of dried sweet potatoes. "It shall be done."

-oOo-

Once back in their classroom, Saori then asked her new friend if they could eat at a café after school.

"Wow, it seems like we're girls in a high school." Miho then gushed happily at the offer. "Of course, I'll go."

"We are," Hana gently reminded the now hyper transfer student. "It'll be our first get-together as friends."

"Now, I want to talk to you about something." The ginger-haired girl then said. "It seems that I'm so charming that boys have been hitting on me lately with their pickup lines being Good Morning, you seem to be more cheerful lately."

"Saori, they were just greeting you." Hana then added with a sigh. "It's normal for them to do so."

"Well, I think they're actually in love with me."

"Yes, yes."

Miho had kept a straight face at the whole discussion, glad that she finally found someone to be with. "Miss Saori, it's just that you're a ball of energy that makes people happy to be with you. I myself am glad that you consider me as your friend."

Saori had felt her face going hot at such praise from such an honest person. Hana then said. "Miho, you're just as wonderful as Saori is and we're just as glad that you accepted us as your friends too."

"M-me?!" Miho was astonished at such praise heaped upon her. "No, Miss Hana. You're the amazing one since you're always calm and strong willed. You also act very mature too."

After a pause, the transfer student then added. "That's why I admire you very much."

"You're too kind, Miho." Hana then answered with a slight blush. "People see me as stiff and formal and thus avoid me if possible."

"They do?" Miho said with her head cocked to one side. "Well, people at my old school yell at me for being unreliable all of the time. I wonder how I could become more like you."

"I guess, it's because I've been making flower arrangements for a long time now."

"Wow, that's so cool!" the former tank commander said with a wide smile. "I've always wanted to try flower arranging as it is so womanly and fun too."

After saying that, Miho then clasped her hands in front of her before saying with complete sincerity. "Thank you for accepting me as your friend."

"You're welcome."

While Miho and new friends were talking, three more girls had come in the classroom. One of the girls was tall and wearing a monocle on her right eye, the second girl having her dark brown hair in a medium ponytail, and the last was the reddish-brown twin-tailed girl who was eating a sweet dried potato as she stood in front of the other two.

There was talk of the Ooarai student council being in their classroom, but the first girl who entered had silenced them with a raised palm. She then pointed at the smallest girl who the famed transferee was.

With a nod, the twin-tailed girl then yelled. "Hey, Miss Nishizumi."

Miho was surprised to hear her name being called by one of the Student Council members. "Who are they?"

"The one who called you is the School Council President of Ooarai, the one of the left side is the PR manager, and the one on the right is their Vice president. "Saori stage whispered back. "What do they want from you?"

"I don't know," came the nervous reply.

The three SC members had walked confidently towards the transferee before stopping in front of her desk.

"We need to talk to you," the short-haired girl then said with nary a change in tone.

"What?" Now, Miho was really confused.

"When you're choosing your elective, make sure that it is sensha-do." The President then said with a voice dripping with honey flavored acid.

"But I thought that this school doesn't even have sensha-do?"

"We're reviving it," the PR Manager answered for her superior and friend. "This year, in fact."

"But I transferred to this school since it doesn't even have sensha-do," the former tank commander added with a bit of fright as she was held by the president by one hand on her shoulder.

"I guess fate has other plans for you," the president said with a laugh. "It's not that bad, by the way."

"But I-I can choose any elective I want, right?"

"Just sign up and we'll be a-ok."

A catatonic Miho was later seen sitting down in her afternoon classes.

-oOo-

Seeing that Miho seemed to be out of it, the current instructor had told her to go to the infirmary to rest up. Both Saori and Hana had joined her.

In the clinic as the three were resting up, both Saori and Hana had asked what had happened earlier.

"Well, the Student Council President told me that this school is reviving its sensha-do program and that I have to take it as my elective."

"You could have chosen another elective," Hana then said quietly. "Although, why did they force you to take it? Did they think that you're a warrior who could surpass anyone?"

"From what I've known about sensha-do, it is a martial art with tanks." Saori then added, remembering from what her friends from other schools had told her about it. "Then again, not everyone takes it as their elective though."

"Well, my family is one of the schools of Sensha-do and thus, the student council thought that with me in the team, we can win our matches."

"That's not so bad," the ginger-haired student said with a shrug. "So, what's the problem?"

"The problem is that I had a bad experience in tanks recently so…"

"We understand," Saori then said with a nod. "Let's stay a while longer then."

The final bell then rang as the three had relaxed for a few minutes.

"And just when I was actually enjoying our rest here," Hana then said as the three girls got up. "Still, if the SC would call you to explain why you didn't take sensha-do, we'll be there with you."

"Thanks."

"Well, let's get to homeroom then."

A second alarm was sounded followed by an announcement by the Student Council. "All students assemble at the gym. I repeat, assemble at the gym."

-oOo-

At the gym a few minutes later, Miho and her friends were sitting in the gym floor when a propaganda film for sensha-do was shown. For Miho, it was something that reminded her of her past when she too was excited for playing with tanks.

Some of the other girls were also awed by the film with others just not that impressed at all. One of the latter being a twin-tailed red-headed tsundere from Germany who was hoping to take a vacation from sensha-do for a while.

(Dodges thrown book bag from said halfa's direction) Ha! You missed. 'Fess Up already. (Dodges a size six black boot while running away)

After the film, the six Student Council members had walked towards the stage through the smoke that was created to enhance the effect. From left to right, we had Anzu Kadotani, Momo Kawashima, Yuzu Koyama, Juri Kobayashi, Suzuka Shimizu, and Umeko Himura.

As it was customary, it was the monocle-wearing Momo who had taken the stage first. "The World Sensha-do World Cup Tournament is scheduled to be held in Japan in a few years. To prepare for this, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Science and Technology, had requested all high schools and colleges bolster their own sensha-do programs."

Anzu then added after Momo had given her the microphone so to speak. "So, we decided to revive our own sensha-do program as well."

The petite red-head then tapped the side of a slightly tall blonde student with the eternal frown marring her cute face framed by her curly shoulder length hair while saying in a stage whisper. "You turn, Juri."

The said student had made a face at the unwanted contact with her person but continued the speech. "There are many advantages to signing up which my friend and fellow student council member – Umeko Himura will tell you in detail."

A strawberry blonde and semi-braded girl had shot the third speaker - Juri with a dirty look before turning back to the awaiting audience and speaking in a clear and authoritative voice. "The first advantage would be a hundred food vouchers for the school cafeteria, the second being two hundred tardiness excuses…I know one student who would join for that reason alone."

After the laughter died down, Umeko had passed the mike to VP Yuzu Koyama who had continued the speech with a bubbly tone. "She'll also get triple credits for this course as well."

A long-haired black-haired student who was enjoying her little nap had suddenly awakened with a gasp at the announcement of credits. Her short haired brunette seatmate had only smirked at her since she usually had to wake her new friend up when she was obviously asleep.

The last speaker had her Titian red hair tied up in twin pigtails and spoke in a relieved tone. "We need you to sign up for Sensha-do, for the glory, the honor, and most of all…the money."

The said speaker's eyes had widened in realization of what she herself said and started drooling. "Oh yesssss, we'll be rolling in the money. Yes, we are. Yes, we are."

"Leave that for another time, Suzuka." Umeko was saying as she had pulled the drooling treasurer and good friend out of the stage. "Geez, you're making us look like Scrooge's grandkids."

-oOo-

While the students were making their choices on what would be their chosen electives to earn extra credit, a certain newly manufactured M4A1 Abrams tank had appeared in between a derelict PzKpfw IV Ausf D, and a newly restored Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E.

Around them was a Jagdpanzer 38 (t), a StrumGeschutz III Ausf. F, Type 89B I-Go Otsu, a Renault Char B1 bis, a VK 4501 Porsche Tiger, a Medium M3 Lee, and a Type 3 Chi Nu. All of them were in just as bad a shape as the Panzer IV.

"What happened?" The tank's speakers (both internal and external) had piped up in English. "Eh, how come there's a cannon where my nose should be and where are my hands and feet?"

After a minute, it then yelled. "What the fuck?! I'm a tank…an M1A1 Abrams to be exact."

"How am I going to tell Lieutenant Eminem about this goddamn fuck up?" The Abrams "spoke" to itself. "Hell, how am I going to explain this to Mom?"

"God Damn it!"

For the Automotive club that was working on a car nearby, the angry rants in a foreign language had scared them enough for them to drop whatever they were doing and run towards their own dorms in panic.

-oOo-

After the program was over, Miho was walking towards the front gate when she was suddenly hugged from behind.

Both Hana and Saori were too surprised to react and thus could only look at the sudden arrival of two more unfamiliar faces – both of which were also transferees.

"Hitomi, is that you?" Miho managed to choke out before the tallest brunette girl had gently taken the blonde away. "Wait, Chihiro too?"

"You forgot someone," a familiar voice said in odd Japanese. "I can kick your ass for that."

Miho had just blushed as she certainly remembered a certain red-haired tsundere who would not think twice in making true her threat. Thus, she had lightly pushed both her new friends who had instinctively surrounded her and embraced the now embarrassed halfa.

"Leggo, you idiot." Emi yelled with Miho only hugging her even tighter. "Hey, people are going to talk about us."

"Let them," Miho replied nonchalantly, still hugging the other girl. "I don't care since I missed all three of you for so long."

"We missed you too, Miho." Hitomi was taking pictures of the blushing pair with Saori with their cellphones. "I'm Hitomi Yuzumoto, one of Miho's sensha-do friends."

"I'm Chihiro Yusa, another of Miho's sensha-do friends," The taller girl then added with a grin. "And the red-headed twin-tailed tsundere that Miho is hugging is Emi Nakasuga also known as Miho's girlfriend."

"I'm/She's not her/my girlfriend," both girls said as they had disengaged from each other and turned around so fast that a mini-microburst was born in the space they had occupied a second ago. "We're just friends."

"Of course," Hana said with a conspiratory wink that that other three caught and replied in the same manner. "Don't tease them, girls. We may need them later."

"Very funny."

"Hey, let's go to the tank garage." Hitomi said suddenly while managing to pull both Chihiro and Saori at the same time. "Let's go, let's go."

Both Chihiro and Hana had shared a look before nodding and following their friends. Hana had looked back and then told both Miho and Emi. "Quit acting like a couple of romance movie protagonists and come with us."

With a heavy sigh, the last pair had followed the others to the tank garage.

-oOo-

Once the girls had arrived in front of the garage where the tanks were kept, they were surprised to see a short girl with her hair in a bowl cut along with four older girls, all of whom were armed in their own way.

"Stop," the short girl then said with her palm raised. "This is Public Moral Committee business. The Automotive team had heard a strange voice coming from here and I am here to investigate."

"Of course, Miss Sono." Hana then said while using her arm to keep the others away from possible danger. "I think we'd better come back another time."

"Y-yeah, let's." Hitomi then agreed quickly as she was afraid of ghosts. "Let's visit your place, Miho."

"Wait, aren't you the one who had managed to restore the Tiger I before having it sent here?" The girl then said with appreciation in her voice. "I'm Midoriko Sono, head of the Public Moral Committee and I personally want to thank you for helping us revive sensha-do by actually giving us a tank to fight with. You can join the automotive club if you like since they would be needing another grease monkey."

"Thank you for the offer, but I can help them better as an independent mechanic along with my friends here."

It was then that the double door had opened, revealing a young woman in an olive-green dress uniform and black flat shoes. She only took one look at the girls before introducing herself and one other.

"Hi, I'm Captain Ami Chono of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces." She said with a slight bow. "I'll be one of your instructors when it comes to sensha-do and I want to know who had restored the Tiger I tank now sitting in the garage."

"That would be me, Ma'am." Hitomi said with a bow. "But I had help."

"I see," Ami replied while nodding at the little girl who could help the Automotive club repair the tanks in the future. "And are you taking sensha-do as your elective?"

"We all are," Miho answered for everyone. "Please take care of us."

"I will," the young woman said with a serene smile. "But for now, I'll leave you in my fellow instructor's hands. Nice to meet you, Miss Nishizumi."

"Likewise," Miho then replied as the instructor must have known her family before.

"And who is she?" Emi then said as she was curious on who the officer was referring to. "She's here, right?"

"Actually, it's a he and he should be speaking in Japanese any time now." The JASDF captain replied before looking back inside. "You ready, Zacky boy?"

"Miss Chono, please call me Lieutenant or even Mister Wycoco instead." A deep bass voice was heard from inside the tank garage as it spoke Japanese in a strange accent. "I am your subordinate despite our different commands and countries so please treat me as one."

"That's the voice we heard earlier," A short girl then exclaimed. "I think he was speaking in English."

"I was, Young Miss." The voice responded. "Even then, my apologies for ranting earlier as I am sure that I was human when I had fallen asleep in my barracks about eight hours ago and now, I'm a tank."

"It's alright," the same girl replied with a nod. "Name's Satoko Nakajima, by the way and my friends here are Hoshino, Suzuki, and Tsuchiya."

"Pleased to meet all of you," the voice then added. "Let us continue this conversation inside. Also, I am Second Lieutenant Zacarias Wycoco of the US Army's 185th Armor Regiment reporting for duty, ladies."

"This is the first time I've seen a tank and a gentleman," a soprano voice had spoken from behind them. "Name's Anzu Kadotani and I'm the Student Council President and with me are two of my fellow members Vice President Yuzu Koyama and Public Relations Manager Momo Kawashima."

"Pleased to meet you all," Zack answered quickly as the girls had entered. "May I know the name of the others as well?"

"Miho Nishizumi," Miho then spoke upon seeing the one they were talking to – an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank. "And with me are my friends – Emi Nakasuga, Hitomi Yuzumoto, Chihiro Yusa, Hana Isuzu, and Saori Takebe."

"Again, pleased to meet you all." Zack added in his speakers. "I'll try to share whatever knowledge I have about tank operation and tactics for those who had chosen sensha-do and for those who did not, I could offer some personal advice alongside those of guidance counsellor and maybe even help him out as his assistant when not active as an instructor."

"I'll tell him about it and I think he'll be glad for the help," Anzu then said with a winning smile. "Although, you don't know how you ended up here. Am I right?"

"Yeah, since all I know is that I slept in the barracks earlier and now, I'm an Abrams."

"Well, let's go everyone and leave the lieutenant here alone to rest." Ami then told everyone. "Miss Kadotani, can I join you for dinner tonight before I leave? Miss Nishizumi let's talk once I return."

"Of course," the red-headed SC president answered as everyone had left the garage.

-oOo-

A little later, Miho had come back after asking her friends to wait for her at the gate.

"Good evening, Young Miss Nishizumi." Zack's speakers then told the girl as the tank itself had "looked" in her direction via its turret. "Is there anything that I could be of help?"

"Well, you're in the military, right?" The young girl then asked with her head bowed as if embarrassed. "Are you really desensitized to the point of just blindly following orders?"

"Well, that would depend on what period of US military history you are talking about since these days, we are also given the freedom to speak what is on our minds unlike how it was decades before where it was more of follow first and ask questions later."

"Then, you can disobey orders if it meant doing the right thing?"

"Explain." Zack's laconic order had reminded Miho of her days in Kuromorimine yet it seemed different for some reason. "You don't need to tell the gory details, just a quick overview of the whole situation if possible."

Miho had only nodded before saying. "It all started in the last National High School Senshado Tournament when I had disobeyed orders to save a tank crew from drowning."

"What orders were they?"

"They were for me to stay put in my tank that held the flag and try to keep it from being seen by the enemy team – Pravda at the time," Miho then added while trying not to cry. "The said tank had dropped from a nearby cliff into the river near my own tank's position. Out of all us, we're the closest and thus the only ones who could save my teammates."

"And you're asking me if I'm willing to do the same if I were in your shoes," Zack then said as Miho had sat down on the glacis plate of the Panzer IV Ausf. D and nodded. "Well then, my answer is a definite yes as we leave no men behind."

Miho had to giggle as she remembered that the spoken saying was made into a meme in the internet. The transfer student then said after she had calmed down. "Thank you and I'll bet that you would throw a match if our lives are in danger."

"Of course, I will," Zack's deep voice was laced with mirth. "I know that things are done differently here, but I'll fight for you girls even if it meant being fired and possibly deported for causing a ruckus."

"You don't have to do that," Miho's voice was now laced with worry as a gasp was heard from just outside the door. "Come in everyone."

The group of girls with their heads hung low in shame had entered one by one, Saori in the lead. The girls then chose their seats among the tanks after dusting their positions with their hands.

"You heard everything?" The Abrams then asked the group.

Everyone nodded in reply. Saori's and Hitomi's the most vigorous of them all.

"I was going to tell you all tonight," the brown-haired former tanker cried at her secret being overheard. "How could you?"

Emi then slid down from her seat in the Stug III's glacis plate and hugged the crying Miho. "Shh, calm down. We were just worried since you've been here too long thus, we came back."

Miho then returned the hug as the red-head continued. "You can slap us, punch us, and kick us just as long as you won't hate us. Because, just like Mister Wycoco said, we won't leave you."

"Alright, you win." The crying girl had hugged her childhood friend even harder. "So, you'll really take sensha-do?"

"Only if you do."

"Then, let's take it so we'll know what our sensha-do are."

"Sure."

"Even then, you don't have to make a commotion just for our sake, Mister Wycoco" Hana then told her future instructor tank from her seat in the Porsche Tiger. "I'm sure there are other ways of solving our problems. We just need to find them."

"Yes, but your safety is still first and foremost in my responsibility." The tank with a silicon soul responded with a stern tone. "And thus, you girls have to head home to rest as you still have school tomorrow morning."

"Goodbye…and thank you," everyone said as she had planted a quick kiss on a clean spot of the glacis plate before leaving along with a bow. "You're really kind."

"You wouldn't mind us seeing you as our unofficial big brother," Chihiro then said with an impish smile. "I mean, from what we overheard, it wouldn't much of a stretch anyway."

"No, I would not." Zack responded with a relieved tone. "But I still have to get permission from the guidance counsellor to even give you my honest opinion without seemingly overstepping my boundaries. Now go and if you'd like, we can talk tomorrow afternoon."

-oOo-

The next day, the group had gotten together with another girl joining them – Yukari Akiyama who was Hitomi's classmate and fellow tank enthusiast after class before they were told to report to the tank garage once again.

It was noted that the shaggy-haired teen had heard of the youngest Nishizumi and had a huge crush on her.

Once there, they had met the other girls who would either join the being formed Sensha-do team or in case of the Automotive club, would later start working on the tanks and getting them back to working order.

As it was, twenty-six girls who had arrived at the front of the garage before being told to form up into a larger group for the arriving trio of the Student Council to arrive.

"Alright, all of you can now choose your tanks as see fit." Momo then told the assembled group. "Our choice is the Jagdpanzer 38 (t). You can make your choices among the rest."

The first years were about to approach the Porsche Tiger when they had found a note pasted at its glacis plate with this written on it – "Ours! By the Automotive Club". Thus, they chose the M3 Lee Medium Tank that had two guns instead.

The four girls who were known to be history buffs had chosen the StrumGeschutz III Ausf. F as their weapon of choice despite not having a turret. They had loved a challenge and the powerful main gun of the StuG was a nice bonus.

The Volleyball team, who had joined sensha-do in the hopes that their newfound success would translate to more popularity to their club and thus more members, had also joined in the search as well. After looking after each tank, they felt that the Type 89B I-Go Otsu medium tank would fit their style best.

Miho and three of her newfound friends – Saori, Hana, and Yukari had chosen the PzKpfw IV Ausf D since the soon to be commander had enough experience in the said tank to be successful in teaching the others on how to utilize its power.

"Wait," Hitomi then said as she had gotten inside the tank for a minute before emerging at the turret cupola. "This tank is the same one we used when we were younger."

"Really?" Miho exclaimed upon realizing that she was reunited not only with her old friends but with her old tank as well. "I guess I'm taking in a new crew, so Emi could have her own."

"Good point since I don't want you kicking my shoulders like before," the red-head joked. "Still, I'll take the Abrams as the others won't fit my style anyway and I already have a commander besides."

"I'll join you," Chihiro then said with Hitomi nodding in agreement. "I mean, Mister Wycoco is certainly our commander so I'll take the gunner with Hitomi here becoming loader once again."

The former Bellwall students who were also members of the said school's sensha-do team had taken the Tiger I.

After the tanks were chosen, Anzu then told the teams to make their tanks presentable to their other instructor who would be visiting the next day.

"Everyone let's have these tanks cleaned and their rust scraped off." Miho then announced after Anzu had told the team her orders. "We can then leave the rest to the Automotive club then maybe even customize them afterwards."

This had brought cheers to the other girls as they wanted to individualize their tanks to fit their own collective tastes.

The girls had hopped to it as they changed to their PE uniforms in their dorms before coming back.

Once they had returned, the students had borrowed some hoses to wash the tanks after they scrub them with brushes and steel wools (or in Yuzu's case – an electric sander).

Oddly enough, Yuzu was not wearing her PE uniform, but rather her white swimsuit as told by Anzu. She did a few shakes of her cute butt in front of the Abrams who only snorted in reply.

"What?" The sexy vice president then turned to the possessed Abrams before adding. "You've seen sexier girls in bikini's before?"

"No, Miss Koyama since I've lived in Washington DC." Zack answered with mirth in his voice as his crew was scrubbing him with soap and water. "But a lot of girls had tried to get my attention that way and some were actually amusing in their attempts. A few succeeded though and our dates were enjoyable."

"So, does that mean you have a girlfriend?" Saori then asked as she was scrubbing the turret of the Panzer IV. "Does she know that you're here?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Takabe." The Abrams then answered with an amused voice. "But I'm still unattached at the moment so it's just tanks and my black 1978 Firebird Trans Am Special Edition for me."

"Oh great, yet another gear-head." Chihiro then said with a fake sigh. "He must be your long-lost cousin, Hitomi."

"Yeah," the short blonde said with a big smile before peeking at the slightly opened driver's hatch. "If you'd ever come back to normal, can you have the Trans Am sent here?"

"Sure," the Abrams answered happily. "If you can, we can even tune it up."

"Hey, lemme in on the action." Emi then said as she had turned the hose to where her taller friend was scrubbing the tank's rear with a sponge. "I can do some auto work too."

"Well, I'm going back to our tank since I'm beginning to smell the engine oil from here." The sexy brunette said with a wink before leaving the group to wash her own tank with Momo also in a black one-piece swimsuit. "Thanks for the help, Momo-chan."

"You're welcome," the monocle-wearing teen grunted in reply as she had swept the rear of the tank with wooden brush. "Glad to see some more gear heads since we need all the mechanics we could get. Although one of them doesn't have hands."

By sundown, the jobs were finished with the tanks glinting at the light of the setting sun. Once done, the tanks were brought back to the garage by the designated drivers as part of their practice…except for one.

"I think I'll stretch my legs for a bit and meet some of the townspeople since I've heard the announcement of my being a part of the faculty here," Zack then said as the Abrams started up by itself. "I'll see you girls tomorrow."

"Hey, Mister Wycoco." Yukari then said while banging on the tank's left side armor. "Can you give us a lift since you'll be doing the rounds anyway?"

"Why not?" The Abrams replied with a virtual shrug. "At least, I won't scare the townspeople too much if they saw some of you with me."

"Then let's go," Yukari then pulled a surprised Miho up the tank that made Emi frown a bit as she and the rest followed.

-oOo-

The modern tank's turbines had made a shrill sound that was more than enough to get anyone nearby stop and stare at the latest feat of American engineering just roll down their streets with some students riding it like a dune buggy.

The tank had stopped in front of the Tank Club Shop before continuing on around town by itself, leaving the kids riding it at the shop.

The shop itself was (and still is) a haven for any tank enthusiast with tank parts, uniforms, tank models, and even literature about tanks.

"Wow, I didn't know that tanks actually look different from each other." Saori then remarked as she had looked at the pictures of tanks laid side by side. "I wonder why?"

"Well, different tanks were made for different uses by different countries." Yukari then explained. "Sometimes, there are those changed by their crews to fit the environment."

"I'll have to agree," Emi then spoke up. "Even now, tanks had to be changed to fit the situation."

"Hey, they even have tank arcade games here." Hitomi said as she and Yukari had played to their hearts delight.

The store's TV then showed an interview of a girl looking a lot like Miho with a white-haired girl in the background.

Miho immediately gasped upon hearing her older sister's name being spoken in the TV. The girl was asked on what her secret to success was and the given answer was. "I never give up and…I never run away, no matter what."

The girl was looking directly at the camera as if she was giving a statement to someone who was watching.

Miho was about to break down once again at the reminder of her failures and thus Saori had to suggest that they all hang out in Miho's house.

The rest quickly agreed as they seldom saw Miho this sad before.

-oOo-

The group had gone to Miho's house to cheer their host up. Even then, Miho herself was just glad to have all of her friends in her apartment.

"I hope you girls don't mind the size of my apartment," the light brunet transferee had told the others. "But it's the only one I can afford."

"We don't mind, Miho." Chihiro replied quickly. "Girls let's repay Miho for her kindness by making her dinner."

"Alright."

Miho herself was glad that she had good friends that would come to her just to cheer her up. Of course, things just went south pretty quickly when Yukari had pulled out her mess kit to help prepare their dinner.

Hana had tried to cut the vegetables along with both Emi and Chihiro before the former had accidentally cut herself with Emi following Miho's orders on where to find the bandage while the other brunette was getting the other brunette to sit down and stop the bleeding.

Hitomi was already told to get the utensils ready before watching TV.

Saori had enough of the chaos as she had put on glasses and completed all the planned meals in record time.

"Wow," everyone was able to say once all the dishes were cooked and cooked well. "You're a lifesaver, Saori."

"Thank you, thank you." The ginger-haired student then said with a theatrical bow. "Now let's eat before the food goes cold."

-oOo-

Back at the tank garage, the double door was slid on two sides to reveal a black-haired young woman about twenty-three years of age.

The young woman then stepped inside and even turned on the light switch and spoke. "Lieutenant Wycoco, you there?"

"I'm here," the Abrams answered with an annoyed tone. "May I ask who you are and why did you wake me up just as I was about to go to Sleep mode?"

"My name is Rikka Shimaoka and I am one of the members of the Ooarai/Bellwall Academy's board of directors as well as a major shareholder," the light ash brown haired young woman then said as she unconsciously played with her ponytail. "As to why I am here. I wanted your help in keeping my Ferrari F40 from getting flattened."

"Who would flatten such a nice and expensive car?"

"Well, your fellow instructor Ami loves to smash cars to impress her students and I don't want my hard-earned car to suffer the same fate." Rikka answered with a straight face. "Considering that the Abrams can at least theoretically hold off a Type 10, you're the only one who could stop her."

"Yeah, and since she's my co-instructor, I can at least talk some sense to her." Zack then added with a sigh. "Alright, I'll do it since I know how valuable a Ferrari could be and I don't want to be a bother for the higher ups."

"Thank you," Rikka said with a bow. "As thanks, I'll hire some student mechanics to help the Automobile Club in fixing you and the other tanks up. It's the least we could do and besides, from what I've known of the Auto Club, they don't know how to fix a modern tank like you anyway."

"Thank you for that," Zack replied with his cannon lowered to simulate a bow as well. "It's nice to have some company that could fix me and the others up. Rest assured, I'll keep your car safe and sound."

"I'll hold you for that."

-oOo-

While Zack had activated Sleep mode, Miho was telling her friends goodbye for being with her at a critical time. She then locked the door and slept for the rest of the night.

'I think…I can finally exorcise my own demons little by little,' Miho thought happily before the Sandman had escorted her to dreamland. 'I wonder how being a tank feels.'

-oOo-

The next day, Miho had come upon a student barely able to even stand up as she waddled her way to school. The girl was small with long black hair and a slender body much like hers.

Rather than let the girl just fall to the sidewalk, Miho had pulled the sleepy girl up and half-carried her on the remaining block to the Academy gates.

Along the way, the girl was complaining about life being a pain. "But I will still go to school…I must go to school."

The pair had arrived in the school gates a few minutes after the bell where they were met by Midoriko who then reminded the smaller girl that she was now late for 245th time in a row.

"Why must morning come?" The girl called Reizei answered with a yawn. "It's much too early for this."

Midoriko only answered with a sigh. "Morning always comes, Mako. Besides, just because you have good grades doesn't mean that you can be tardy or absent all the time or you'll have to repeat a year."

Mako only slumped further from Miho's support in response before the latter girl could pull her up once again.

"Are you alright?" The light brunette then asked her new acquaintance. "Name's Miho Nishizumi."

"Mako Reizei."

"Um, Miss Nishizumi?"

"Yes?" Miho then brought her attention to the Public Morals Committee head honcho as she finally got a good hold of Mako.

"If you ever see Mako again on your way to class, just leave her to us and get to class on time." The brunette in a bowl cut then added with a shrug. "We'll get her to class."

"Alright," Miho answered as she did not want to have a bad record her new school. "Sorry, Miss Reizei."

"Sodoko," Mako then growled in anger at having her new friend being threatened because of her. "You…"

"What, Remako?" Midoriko said with her own growl as if daring her ex-childhood friend to argue with her. "You have something to say?"

"I love you," Mako answered with fluttering eyes. "Miho let's go."

The Public Morals Committee leader had blushed heavily as she bent slightly down and even touched her forefingers as she monologued. "You can't say that. We're just childhood friends, that's all."

After her short monologue, Sodoko had promptly fainted on her spot in front of the gate that was seen by another Committee member patrolling the front of the school for delinquents.

As she had passed the pair of late students by, the said member could not help but quip. "Nice trolling, Mako. Even though, we all know that's true for the both of you."

"Can it, Moyoko." Mako was saying as she tried to keep her face from getting warm. "Like she said, we're only childhood friends and I'm closer to Saori then her. Also, it would never be possible since I'm a delinquent and she's Miss Morals."

"Just sayin', Mako." Moyoko replied with a sly grin. "I mean, even Batman and Catwoman had gotten along and you two are similar to them."

"Shut it."

Miho could only giggle at the latest exchange, even though she would answer in the same manner if it came to her and Emi.

-oOo-

Later after school, the whole sensha-do team was waiting for the instructor's grand entrance at the front of the school's parking lot. With them was the M1A1 Abrams that had its turbine engine on idle.

A grey Kawasaki C-2 transport aircraft was later seen coming in from the bow of the ship. Its rear hatch then opened, and a Type 10 Japanese main battle tank was dropped to slide for a while on the dry pavement before the American main battle tank suddenly charged like an angry bull to collide with its Japanese counterpart and continue pushing it, the Abram's turbine screaming like a banshee at the effort.

This action was enough for the Type 10 to slide back five meters and off its ridden steel pallet to where the parking space was open before a hatch had opened at the turret of the Japanese tank and Ami had emerged with a red face as she removed her white helmet.

"What's the big idea of ruining my entrance?!" She yelled at the Abrams that had now backed away, satisfied at the job well done. "I was trying to make a good impression with the girls here."

"I was only trying to keep a good Italian sports car from being a car-sized pancake," Zack answered with his speakers. "There's no need for a fancy entrance anyway since all they need was to see you in action."

"She paid you, didn't she?" The JGSDF captain then added with a huff. "How much gas or is it in parts?"

"Neither as that would be deducted from my pay anyway," the Abrams replied with an audible huff. "She just promised me a full crew of student mechanics who were taught on how to fix a modern tank like ours or at least your tank and me. It'll be good for the Auto club as well."

Neither of them had noticed that their students were not trying not to be seen laughing at their instructors' antics. Even the Auto Club was doing the same in their own garage.

"Oh well," Ami then said with a sigh. "You can't win them all."

Turning to the students, she then added before slipping inside the Type 10's turret. "Good afternoon, everyone. Meet me and Mister General Dynamics Land Systems 2000 in front of the tank garage in ten minutes."

"Very funny," Zack grunted in the speakers as the Type 10 had also started up and began to make its way to the garage. "You should have been a comedian in your other job."

More laughter ensued as the tanks had gotten towards the garage as well as all of the students had seen reruns of Knight Rider before.

-oOo-

Once the Abrams had arrived at the front of the garage, all of the students were already there. Ami had waited for the instructor tank to power down before speaking to the assembled students.

"Now that you're all here," the JSGDF captain then said. "Let's see a show of hands for those who wanted to know about Sensha-do. By the way, for those who don't know me, I am Captain Ami Chono of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces and with me is your other instructor – Second Lieutenant Zacarias Wycoco of the US Army's 185th Armor Regiment or that Abrams that seems to be in love with me."

Everyone had raised their hands while giggling that got Ami smiling widely at the enthusiasm of the students under her instruction. She then added. "Since you're all still new to Sensha-do, let's work extra hard to get up to speed, alright."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"I almost forgot…" Ami then approached a surprised Miho and asked her. "How's Maho, Miss Nishizumi?"

"She's fine," Miho now remembered the young woman who visited their home before she joined Maho in Kuromorimine Academy. "It's been long time since you last visited."

"I know," Ami replied with a big smile as she had patted the younger girl's left shoulder. "Just remember, you're not alone either."

Miho had gasped at the fact that someone had actually known about her story and would actually support her even against her mother's wishes. 'She knows. Who told her?'

"Excuse me, but how did you know the Lieutenant?" Saori then asked while Hana had hugged Miho who seemed to be nervous for some reason. "I mean, he only showed up here last night."

Murmurs had begun among the students especially the first years who seemed curious and a bit scared of their non-human instructor.

"Quiet down, everyone." Zack then said over his loudspeakers. "Let's hear what the captain has to say first."

"I met the Lieutenant here a few months ago in his base in California," the JSGDF officer said in reply. "He was certainly human and quite a cute one too, not to mention sexy as heck. I was there to do some recruiting of possible tank instructors for the JGSDF and I met this certain Filipino-American hotshot driving a new M1A2 Abrams around a dirt track then coming out of his ride in just a white T-shirt and khaki pants that was sticking to skin because of his sweat."

"Wow, any pictures of him wearing that wet T-shirt?" Saori then asked once again, trying to imagine their instructor as a human. "Just for research purposes, of course."

"Sorry, since he's a special case, I can't provide anything about the Lieutenant other than his name, so you may have to google it instead." Ami answered with a serious look. "Next question?"

"What would we be doing now?" Yukari then asked with anticipation.

"That's a good question," Ami had looked thoughtful for a second before answering. "To know what we had to teach you, you girls need to be in an actual combat situation."

"Wait what?!" Nearly everyone exclaimed since some of the girls already had experience in tanks and were not that surprised to hear the words. "Why?"

"Like I said, we can only teach you once we know where you would be in need of most help." The JSGDF officer said simply. "Just telling you what to do won't actually tell us on what need to teach you. So, I'll be heading to the observation tower while you get your vehicles up and running and Zack would take over for me."

"Right, everyone, get to your tanks and choose a role that you like." Zack then said as he had taken over the responsibilities. "Some tanks have four crewmembers – a commander, a loader, a gunner, and a driver. There are also those with five or even six crewmembers at a time, the last two crewmembers are the radio operator and a second gunner."

"How about you?" One of the first years named Karina Sagakuchi then asked the instructor tank. "How many people ride you?"

"I was hoping that question would not be spoken in public," Zack answered with a sigh to the girl's and her friends' confusion and everyone else's amusement. "Anyway, I only have a driver, a loader, a gunner, and a commander since the commander also acts as the radio operator for communications outside of the tank and we also wear headsets, so we could talk over the roar of the engines and the weapon systems especially with the driver who has his own compartment. I believe that you'll also be provided with civilian versions, so you don't need to yell or kick someone just to guide them."

"But I only see three girls with you," Aya Oono then quipped with her brown eyes knit in confusion. "Why?"

"Because the Lieutenant is our commander and radio operator," Emi replied as she got on the driver seat. "I always wanted to drive one of these modern tanks since my cousin had driven a Leopard before. Also, Mister Zack has the most experience out of all of us when it comes to tanks and tactics."

"You also wanted to try that special seat since you're pretty much lying down on your back," Zack then retorted. "Girls, this is why my fellow tankers and myself love the driver seat. It so comfortable and driving me is much like driving a motorcycle."

"Can we switch?" Some of the students then asked Emi even though she was already settled in her seat. "It'll be so cool."

"No, since I chose the Abrams to be our tank." The red-head answered back. "Make your tank seats comfortable why don't you."

Seeing that they could not convince the halfa to change tanks, the other girls had returned to their own.

The Volleyball Team had pumped themselves up since their own club was disbanded for lack of members and by showing their stuff in sensha-do would lead to a reactivation of their club because of renewed interest by the other students.

The History buffs were also excited in their first tank fight and discussed on what would be the best tactical formation they would use. Oryou, an expert in Japanese History especially the Bakumatsu period, had suggested the use of the tactic of Kurama Gakari or replacing of fresh troops to exhausted front line units to keep up the pace.

Erwin had disagreed and suggested that they use the panzerkeil or a spearhead composed of the heaviest tanks in the top and sides to punch through the enemy defense by brute force.

Caesar only shook her head and reminded her friends that they only had one tank not several that made the other three realize their mistake.

As for the former Bellwall team, Neko Yamamori had told her crew as she got into the Tiger I's hatch. "It's quite a while since we've really butted heads in a tank so let's show these girls and our instructors what Bellwall's team is really made off."

"Yeah!" The other girls answered with a shout as they too followed their commander.

The exception to the teams being pumped up for the upcoming practice fight were the newly-named Team A composed of Miho and her new friends who had drawn lots on who would be taking what position since Miho had refused on taking the commander position, Yukari alright with any position, and both Hana and Saori with no idea on what they could take as their position.

While Team A was drawing lots, the first years now designated as Team D had asked the new Team F (Instructor team) on what they could do with Aya also consulting her other friends on her cellphone.

"Tell me what tank it is so I can tell you on what to do," Aya was reading one of the replied texts. "Do I have to tell him what tank?"

She texted back. "Google it, you noob."

Another message came from another friend of hers – "First, take off your clothes."

She texted back. "Consider yourself unfriended and blocked; you perv."

There were two more texts, but they were more annoying than helpful.

"Argh, why are boys so stupid?" She ranted to her teammates who had returned more knowledgeable about tanks. "I couldn't make them give me a straight answer."

"Well, once they grow into men, they may be more appreciative." Azusa Sawa then answered calmly. "Besides, we have a few people knowledgeable about tanks like those girls near the Tiger I, and Miss Nishizumi, and her old friends who now crew the Abrams so even if those dorks can't give you an answer, I'm sure they can."

"Really, they gave you ideas!" The twin-tailed dark blonde exclaimed while hugging her future commander. "You rock, Azusa!"

Near the Panzer IV, Miho could only shake her head at her juniors' antics as she had taken her piece of paper. She then noticed that Saori was left with the short stick, making her the commander of Team A.

"Well, I'll be our loader then." Miho said with a sigh of relief. "I'll leave the rest to you."

"I'll be the gunner of course," Yukari then added with glee. "I love my job."

"Then, I'll be our driver." Hana then said with a bit of trepidation. "I hope I can do well."

By the time that Team A had organized, the Abrams, Tiger I, and StuG had already started up and left.

The girls then got in their tanks just as the Type 89 and M3 Lee had also started up and left closely followed by the Type 38 (t).

Once inside, Hana then asked how she would start up the tank after commenting that the whole tank smelled of iron. Miho then answered by pointing at a button labeled start in the dashboard in front of the taller girl.

Saori had complained that the interior of the tank was cramped and stuffy that everyone else had ignored. She then added. "So, we're gonna roll out in this thing?"

They then heard Ami's voice in the garage's loudspeakers – "Alright then, all units -Panzer Vor."

The Panzer IV had groaned as if it had woken up after a long-time sleep before its diesel engines settled to a purr. Yukari had nearly fangirled upon hearing the sounds of a tank running but stopped herself in time.

Miho had quipped that the gunner was on a panzer high in a monotone that had gotten the shaggy-haired girl blushing in embarrassment.

Miho then taught Hana on how to drive the tank step by step. Unfortunately, the tank had gone backwards before Saori had noticed it after peeking above the opened hatch.

Hana then stepped on the brake on Miho's orders and the tank stopped just as quickly, nearly hitting the rear door in the process.

The tall girl finally got a hang of driving the Panzer IV and led it out of the garage.

The other teams had made their way towards their own starting points while learning to control their machines.

Saori nearly had to shout in her throat microphone for Hana to evade the tree near their path.

Finally, every team had arrived at their starting positions in the forest. Team E had gotten to its starting point near the river. Team B's starting position was near a fork in the path. Team A's starting position was just after a curve and near Team B's position.

Team D's position was also near a curve just beside a dried stream. Team C's position was also near Team A's under the trees near another fork in the path.

Team F's starting position was near yet another fork in the path, but nearer to Team E with Team G was in the clearing between two rows of trees near Team D's position.

Once Ami had seen everyone in position, she then started the match by giving the ground rules and telling them to bow before beginning the match.

"Why don't we knock out the Student Council first?" Saori then suggested as Hana had again started up the tank. "Consider it as revenge for their bullying on poor Miho."

"Oh no, Saori." Miho then said as she had faced the other girl. "Let's go with who's closest to us first."

The Panzer IV was then rocked by a shot from the Type 89 before Hana had engaged the gears and it ran.

The ginger-haired girl then saw the StuG approaching them from the left fork in the path and thus had to go right. Miho had served as lookout even while they were being shot from behind by the chasing tanks and saw a familiar figure asleep near the path with a book on her face.

-oOo-

On another part of the battlefield, the M3 Lee was running from the Tiger I that was chasing it with its main cannon spewing shells at the evading medium tank.

The same story could be said for the Abrams that was also chasing the running Panzer 38 (t) that was firing back (and still missing).

In the whole melee, the medium tanks had passed each other with both firing at the tanks in front of them after stopping for a minute with their main cannons. Both Tiger I and Abrams had only shuddered slightly at the hits and fired back.

Both Panzer 38 (t) and M3 Lee were quickly immobilized, and white flags had sprouted from their chassis. Once both lighter tanks were done for, both main battle tank and heavy tank fired once again.

Once the smoke settled, the Abrams had passed the immobilized Tiger I by with the latter also sporting a white flag while the modern tank had gotten some hits, but only little damage mostly paint being scraped off.

"No wonder, that new transferee wanted to be that thing's driver," Kanbara said with a shake of its head. "That thing's a monster."

-oOo-

"Watch out," Miho yelled at both the throat mike and at the girl outside. Even as Hana had tried to put on the brake, the tank still surged through towards the nearby bridge.

The girl had made a spectacular leap only to lose her balance at the front part of the tank and grab the handles on it.

"Mako?" The light brunette asked the newcomer just as the tank finally stopped. "Why are you here?"

"Mako is here?" Saori then said as the command cupola had popped up. "Get in, get in. You're supposed to be in your remedial class"

"Too tired to go," Mako answered with a shrug. "I'll do it tomorrow."

Once the brunette had come inside the tank through the gunner's cupola with some help, Hana had started the tank running once again. Mako had slumped on Yukari's front (I can't breathe in here), clearly tired with Saori explaining that her childhood friend had hypoglycemia.

"She passed out this morning too," Miho then added. "Thankfully, I got her to school."

"No wonder, you were late earlier." Saori retorted before another explosion had rocked the tank. "Let's get out of here."

Just before reaching the bridge, Miho had gotten the Panzer IV to stop while she got out. Yukari then said. "Hey, it's dangerous outside."

"Don't worry, I don't think they'll shoot at me or you yet." Miho answered as she jogged towards the rickety wooden bridge. "Hana, follow my hand signals so we could cross it."

"Ok."

Miho then guided the tank with hand signals through the bridge. Yet no matter how hard Hana had gotten the tank on track, its weight had gotten it slanting towards the side causing the tracks to snap a cable.

The tank would have fallen if not for a direct hit at its left side, pushing it back a foot or so.

Inside the StuG, Saemonza simply said. "I came, I saw, I fired."

"And you also saved their bacon at the same time," Caesar then added. "Let's keep it a secret though."

"That's right."

-oOo-

"Driver lost consciousness," Yukari yelled at Miho who was running back towards the tank while Saori was hyperventilating. "We can't move a muscle here."

"Let's get her to the radio operator's chair and I'll drive," Miho said as she had entered the said compartment's cupola. "Help me out."

Erwin had given a thumbs up to Noriko as the Type 89 had arrived to finish the job.

All of them were surprised to see the Panzer IV moving once again and actually going backwards. It was later revealed that Mako had taken the wheel so to speak and was now getting the Panzer IV to move while studying how to drive the tank at the same time.

Team B had fired its machine guns to no effect since Noriko was still looking for the correct shell to load.

Mako then shifted gears and got the Panzer IV to move forward. The three tanks' crews were surprised to see the Abrams coming towards them from the other side and both the Type 89 and the StuG were taken out in quick succession by both the Panzer IV and Abrams respectively.

The two tanks then faced each other as both had stopped just past the bridge with the latter tank's turret moved to the right. Both loader and driver cupolas of the tanks then opened up to reveal Miho and Emi looking at each other.

"On three?" Miho then asked one of her childhood friends.

"On three."

Both had gone back inside with Miho quickly loading the tank and telling Yukari to fire on her command.

Zack then counted to three before both tanks fired. As expected, the Panzer IV had sprouted a white flag from its chassis as its gun did not have enough penetration power to take out the modern battle tank especially at its sloped front.

Both crews then left their tanks to congratulate each other for a job well done while Ami was announcing the knocked-out tanks and the winner of the whole match – Team F.

"I'm not really that surprised that you'd win this though," the JGSDF officer then commented to the winning tank after telling everyone else to bow. "No tank couldn't keep up with you. Everyone, please leave the tanks to our salvage crews to pick up and just hitch a ride on our winners on your way back."

"Yeah, but I still have to contend with my counterparts in an official match though." Zack mused as the tank crews of the Panzer IV, StuG, and the Type 89 had hitched a ride on the modern battle tank before it turned around to pick up the rest of the crews. "Oh well, the girls did well even though it was their first time."

-oOo-

Back at the tank garage, everyone had once again lined up in front of the two instructors and the three members of the Student Council.

"Once again, I would like to commend all of you for a job well done." Ami then told the students. "Of course, it is a given that the Abrams has all the advantages despite having most of its advanced electronics removed to make things fair. But given how few tanks we have at the moment; Zack would be forced to join the team and all our opponents would be doing the same."

"Wait, we'll be fighting main battle tanks too?!" Onryou then yelled in surprise. "That's going to be hard."

"Well, not all of them are main battle tanks." Ami then said with a shrug. "Besides, we have an Abrams on our side and the Lieutenant and his crew would be dealing with them."

"Yes, and considering the skills and tactics you've shown us today, even a modern fighting vehicle would have problems dealing with us." Zack then said over his loud speakers. "Even then, we still need time to train you even more to keep up with the other schools who had already trained their teams well. I estimate two more weeks of practice in the range and practice matches to ensure our victory in the upcoming sensha-do tournament."

"Two more weeks?" Mako then said. "Are they all in the afternoon?"

"Well, some would have to be done during the day with the lessons being given after school in handouts." Ami then explained. "In some ways, you'll be treated like the varsities of our school with all the perks that the whole school council had given us earlier. This is needed to ensure that we have enough training to be competitive."

"Alright, just as long as we can start at nine in the morning."

"Like Zack said, continue your training under him if I'm not around and if you have questions, feel free to e-mail me or talk to him." Ami said with a bright smile. "In between the two of us, we can answer any question about the operation of tanks and even basic tactics."

"Now everyone, bow." Anzu then took over as the informal debriefing was already over.

"Thank you for the lesson," the sensha-do team then said in which Ami had returned with a salute.

Ami then thanked the student council members for having her and even thanked Zack for guiding his crew well in the battle.

-oOo-

The Team A and most of the Team F had taken a relaxing hot bath in the public bathhouse with Mako also nearby.

"This is the life," Saori was saying as she had raised her arms in the air. "I never knew that my heart could beat that faster than the times I've been complimented by boys."

"Tank battles do that to you," Miho said with a shrug. "It's also very tiring especially if you're still a kid."

"Miho we're still aren't adults yet," Chihiro then said from another pool that she shared with the rest of Team F. "But yeah, running a tank despite being elementary students is quite tiring for sure."

"I would have loved to join you if I had lived where you all lived," Yukari said with a red face. "It would really be fun."

"True, I wish I was there too." Hana added with a wistful face.

"Me too," Saori had thirded the motion.

"You know, I was actually nervous during the match and it turned out fine." Hana then said while looking at Miho. "Although we lost to Team F, we still got that Type 89."

"Even then, you should be our commander, Miho." Saori stated simply while looking at Miho as well. "If it wasn't for you, we would never would have lasted until the final battle with the Lieutenant."

"Yeah, we don't know anything about tanks and you do." Hana added while laying her hands on top of Miho's shoulders.

"You are also very dependable as well, Nishizumi-dono." Yukari then quipped rather quickly while turning her head in the other direction.

"Yukari, please drop the honorific since it's embarrassing." Miho replied to the still blushing girl. "Also, I'm not a dependable person, believe me."

"At the very least, we appreciate it very much if you would accept." Hana then told Miho. "We need you."

"Yeah, do it for us." The ginger haired girl then chirped behind Hana.

"Please give us your guidance," the shaggy brunette then added with a respectful bow.

"What do you girls think?" Miho then asked her other set of friends. "I need your honest opinion on this."

"Take it."

"You led us before," Hitomi then said with a bright smile. "I'm sure you can do it again."

"Do it since they won't take no for an answer."

"Miss Emi is right," Yukari then agreed. "If they had accepted Lieutenant Wycoco as their commander then we could do the same with you."

"Actually, Mister Wycoco had asked that I be co-commander since he can't leave the tank unless he could speak via wi-fi or something." Emi then added. "I don't mind since I can take over if he's too busy or knocked out for some reason."

The brunette had thought for a minute before steeling herself for her answer. "O-Okay, I'll be the commander. I'll do my best."

After a minute, she then added. "Thank you all for encouraging me."

"You don't have to make a big show out of it," Emi then quipped. "Even then, congrats on taking your new position since we can coordinate our movements easily."

"So, what about the other positions," Saori then said. "What do you think I can do best?"

"Well, you are a natural when it comes to small talk, so you can be our radio operator." Miho then replied with a smile. "You can talk with Mister Zack or even Emi as well as the other commanders to coordinate our attacks or defenses like Emi just said."

"That's great since I'm a fast typer."

"I don't think that's what she meant," Hana then quipped.

"Well, even amateur radio operators need to learn Morse code to be given a license so Saori does have a point." Miho then said to keep the others from arguing. "Also, there are other positions to consider…"

"May I be the gunner?" Hana spoke suddenly and nervously. "I love firing the tank gun and I feel that it would make me become stronger as a woman."

"Well, you'll be our gunner then."

"Then I'll be our loader," Yukari then added quickly. "I love to help out in the team."

"Sure," Miho then mused. "That leaves us with the driver."

It was then that Mako had gotten up and left the baths to put on her clothes. Saori then told her that she should be the Panzer IV's driver given her performance in the practice match.

"I've already taken Calligraphy as my elective," the short brunette answered as she tightened her towel. "Sorry."

"But you were great in our last match," Miho then said. "If it wasn't for you, we would have fallen in the river."

"That's Mako alright, Class 2-B's resident genius." Chihiro then said from out of the blue. "She could learn to write beautifully just by reading its book."

"I'm leaving," Mako then headed for the door leading to the changing room. "Goodbye."

"Mako, you don't have enough credits to pass due to your tardiness." Saori then screamed. "Remember, the two hundred tardiness excuses and triple credits if you joined sensha-do."

"I don't."

"Actually, you do." Chihiro then added. "You woke up just as one of the Student Council members mentioned triple credits."

"You win, Saori." Mako then said as she returned to the baths. "I'll be taking Sensha-do because I owe Miss Nishizumi twice now."

"Right, you just wanted both the excuses and credits."

"No, I just wanted to repay my debts."

"Well at least, we have a full crew for the Panzer IV." Hana then said with a satisfied sigh. "That's good."

"And to celebrate, you know where we'll be going?" Saori then exclaimed happily.

"Where?"

-oOo-

The girls found themselves in the home interior department of the local department store with Yukari hoping that they should have returned to the sensha-do store like before.

It was there that everyone had bought some personal items like cushions, curtains, mirrors, and other bric-a-bracs to make their stay in the tanks to be a little more comfortable.

Emi did smile as she imagined what would Zack say if he saw similar knick-knacks in his physical body.

Well, Zack would certainly be saying something about it the next day, that's for sure.

-oOo-

The next day, the tanks had looked…well, different from before. For example, the Type 89 had slogans and pictures of volleyballs at its sides and turret. Personally, that was not too bad to look at.

Then we have the StuG III looking like it was pimped out with a red and gold color scheme, gold symbols, blue and white waves at the tracks, and most of all, four one-meter-high banners along its sides.

"Ugh, I need to filter my cameras." Zack then said as he managed to put a special digital image filter that made the tanks look normal. "Damn, who worked on that StuG, the Trick My Tank crew? I need to make a call to the school's lawyer."

"Ah, I wonder if the kids hadn't followed Team C's example." Zack then had his camera turned to the M3 Lee and turned off the camera's filter. "Aaaagh, what the hell?!" Who made that thing pink?"

The Abram's then turned quickly so that the camera could see the other tanks, the first being the Panzer 38 (t). "Damn, that thing looks like the tank that Snoop Dogg would own. Ugh to the max."

He then turned the camera to see the Tiger I, before remarking. "Well, at least they just went with slogans. Wait, isn't that cyka blyat in Japanese kanji at the glacis front?"

"There is individuality and then there's this," Zack could only shake his head virtually at the images of the tanks. "Hmm, the Panzer IV seems to be normal. At least Miho and Emi had some sense."

Little did Zack know that both the Panzer IV and his own tank body was also changed…on the inside, that is.

As it was, the abovementioned tank's interior is something akin to a girl's room with mirrors, cushions of all shapes and sizes, curtains?!, stuffed toys, convenience foods like candy and snack foods, a military canteen on the loader's seat, bottle holders, towel holders and the towels to go with them, insulated water bottles, maybe a few hidden air fresheners, and were those pink slippers underneath the Panzer IV's radio operator's seat?!

Saori certainly crossed the line in between tank and home, didn't she?

"And proud of it too!" the aforementioned girl then said with pride. "So, this is where Emi's book bag and shoe had gone through a few days ago. Nice place."

Oy vey. Quit breaking the fourth wall since I just fixed that. (pushes Saori and the other students away from author space) Out, all of you.

In the Abrams, it was more of cushions, mirrors, insulated water bottles, stuffed toys, convenience foods, towel holders and towels, more hidden air fresheners, and a dog tag (Zack's) hanging on the commander's seat.

All in all, all of the tanks looked well…more feminine (and sort off badass in the case of the StuG) than before.

The reaction of the crews did vary though since the crews of the tanks that were…pimped had actually liked the new colors. (shrugs shoulders) Oh well, they are girls, enough said.

Saori felt envious of the other tanks while Yukari was having a fit upon seeing the transgression to the poor tanks.

Miho just laughed at the whole thing as did her old friends who did imagine customizing their own Panzer IV back when they were kids. She then told Yukari. "Despite making the tanks look different, it's still fun for all of them and for us too."

"Yeah, I remember trying to make the Panzer IV look a lot like what the M3 looks now." Hitomi then added. "Still, we were just kids back then and our imagination was just weird and wonderful."

"I may have to agree," Emi then quipped while making a fist pump. "But I'm cool with the slogans though. I'll just put – German engineering is the best in the world."

"Well, I'll put some volleyball or football drawings like what Team B did." Chihiro had spoken up. "Maybe a pair of lacrosse sticks too. What do you think, boss?"

"I'd rather not comment," Zack then said through his loudspeakers. "I'm actually happy with my present paint job, thank you very much. As for the Panzer IV, I just can't imagine it looking too cutesy."

In front of the newly painted Type 38 (t), Anzu then commented. "Beautiful, isn't she?"

"Yeah, but that does leave us with how to keep it from view part." Momo then thought to add. "That thing is as obvious as a red Ferrari in a sea of yellow taxi cabs."

"At least, the red Ferrari is three times faster than a yellow taxi." The red-headed Student Council Prez retorted before biting into another piece of sweet dried potatoes. "Besides, we can use the sunlight as a weapon to blind our enemies."

"I guess it's better than it being used to reflect beam weapons," Yuzu then interjected with a shrug. "Wait, tanks don't use beam weapons."

"Ok, enough gundam jokes." Momo said with a shake of her head. "Or I'll wear a mask and call myself Momo the Red Comet."

Miho and the other students were puzzled as to why the three Student Council members were suddenly laughing.

Ami had arrived at the garage soon after, and the practice drills had started under her supervision. The first drill was coordination of movement with Momo telling the other tank commanders to go in a line formation that everyone has trouble following since they were all scattered and running at different speeds.

"You there," the bob cut brunette was yelling at the megaphone while pointing at the StuG. "Hurry up and get into formation."

A little later, the seven tanks were firing at the targets provided in the shooting range with Zack and Amy taking over the role of ordering the teams to hit the target.

Inside the Panzer IV, Miho was both ordering and answering questions on how to aim the gun with Saori and Hana before the order to fire was given.

"Good shooting, Team A." She yelled once the Panzer 4's 75mm KwK 37/L24 short barreled gun had hit its mark along with Abram's own 120 mm L/44 M256A1 smoothbore gun while everyone else had missed their shots. "Everyone follows Team A and F's example please."

The target shooting had continued until late in the afternoon with even more drills the following days. The other drills had consisted of basic tank tactics like not stirring up too much dust with the culprit being the Tiger I and the Type 89 who were much too eager to get to the kill zone.

The second drill was how to use their surroundings to conceal their presence that the Panzer 38 (t) was partially successful in doing so. The third being "never cross a ridge carelessly" that was all too clear for the StuG's crew once they had to dodge a fired DM23 round from the Abrams that kept them from just crossing over a ridge as the said round had scattered the topsoil of the ridge upon detonating.

The last one was knowing when and where to climb on a bank in order to ensure that tank could make it on time before it was shot that was shown by the M3 Lee trying to climb a bank that was much too steep for their tank and thus were forced to add more power to the engines just to make it before a second fired round had made a hole near them.

All of these drills were done intermittently for the next few days starting from nine in the morning to maximize the time training. A week had passed before Anzu and the instructors were satisfied with the improvements as even Momo was hitting the target's mound part of the time and everyone was learning the basics rather quickly.

As it was, Anzu had gotten Momo to make a certain call to engage in a practice match with another school as preparation for the upcoming tournament.

-oOo-

In a luxurious room somewhere, three pretty girls were having a light breakfast. One of them, a blonde with French braided hair, had received the call from Momo asking for a practice match.

The two other girls had her orange hair in a braided hair like the first while the second had her blonde hair in a ponytail tied by a black ribbon.

"Of course, we don't shirk from a challenge." The first blonde said with a controlled tone tempered by experience. "Still, congratulations in coming back to sensha-do after such a long time and even combining with the one school ship that would complement your team."

-oOo-

After their last drill for the week-long activities, Anzu then made an announcement to the rest of the team through Momo.

"You have all done well despite the repeated drills this week," The PR manager said with a slight smile. "Good work, all of you."

"Thank you."

"But to really gauge our progress, we need to have a practice match with another school."

"What school would it be?" Shinobu Kawanishi then asked, curious on who would be their opponent.

"St. Gloriana Girls College," the monocle wearing brunette answered simply. "That's who our opponent is."

"Oh no," Yukari said in panic. "That's bad."

"I agree," Miho then added before telling everyone. "St. Gloriana has a strong sensha-do team."

"Yes," Yukari also put in. "They were strong enough to be a runner up in a national tournament."

"They're that strong?" Hana then opined. "That's terrible."

"Right now, I don't care if they are the winners of a national tournament." Zack then said over his loudspeakers. "We'll fight with all we've got and maybe we'll even win."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Momo added with gratitude. "Our match would be on Sunday morning so be at school by six in the morning."

"Wait, six in the morning on a Sunday too?!" Mako then exclaimed. "I'm out."

"What do you mean, Mako?" Hana then asked the small girl. "Please tell us."

"I'm quitting sensha-do."

"Eh, this early?" Miho managed to squeak out. "Why?"

"Mako isn't a morning person," Saori said in explanation. "That's why she's always late."

"We'll wake you up and carry you to the school then." Hana then added. "You won't have to leave the house by yourself."

"Humans cannot wake up at six in the morning," Mako then retorted. "It's impossible."

"Well, I beg to differ." Zack's voice was then heard as he had approached both A and F Teams. "As soldiers, Captain Chono and I have to wake up at 4:30 AM for drills before we would even have breakfast."

"Is that true?" Saori then asked the instructor tank with Ami sitting on his turret. "I never knew that those in the military do it."

"We do," the young woman answered with a serene smile. "Which is why we really love being off-duty, so we could sleep late like little Mako here. Also, all of you need to be here by six so you'll have to wake at five."

"Can't it wait until eight, at least?"

"Sorry, Kiddo." The Abram's answered with an apologetic drawl. "But the match is set at nine am and we need to be in the field by eight at most."

"I-alright, since I don't want to be kicked out." Mako had by then realized that senshado was her only hope in graduating on time. "Still, thank you everyone."

"You're welcome," Zack then said with a relieved tone. "So, you girls better head home while I get Miss Tank Girl here a ride to the helipad."

"And maybe ask her for a date?"

"Miss Yusa, both the captain and I are professionals and since neither of us is off-duty, we cannot just go anywhere that isn't required and besides, her chopper is already waiting for us now."

"Oooh Phooey." The girls said in unison as the Abrams had passed them on its way to the main road.

-oOo-

In the tank shed, the new tank mechanics were making small talk after getting all the tanks ready for battle with the provided parts from the factories and the warehouses including the temperamental Porsche Tiger.

"I never thought that you'd be a genius at automotive or even tank maintenance and at such a young age too," Tsuchiya had told the young leader of the student mechanics (who named themselves – Team Goodwrench) – Taichi Shimaoka. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

Suzuki then tapped her fellow club member and good friend upside the head a few times. "Cut it out. He's too young for your speed, Maria Ozawa."

"Oh c'mon." The reddish brown-haired club member retorted while rubbing her head. "Every driver needs a grease monkey as her partner."

Neither of the arguing girls had noticed that the said boy's face was a red as a tomato and his blue eyes were as wide as dinner plates.

The rest of the Automotive Team and Team Goodwrench were either trying to console the poor boy or glaring at the poor soon to be tank driver for traumatizing the poor genius.

"What's the big idea?" A short-haired honey blonde sixteen-year-old girl named Kasumi Chiba had hugged the catatonic team leader. "The kid's not looking for a girlfriend at the moment and we need his knowledge as well as his skills to do our jobs well. Try again after six years."

"Yeah," a light ashen brown-haired boy with an Ivy League cut haircut then added. "If you want a boyfriend, here I am."

The said gigolo wannabe was then whacked on the head by a seventeen old girl with shoulder length chestnut hair in a braid. "Shut it, Matt Damon wannabe and go back to cataloguing our tool boxes."

Yosuke Maeda grumbled his way back to the spot where the tool boxes had been put for proper cataloguing before adding. "Yeah, I'll be just as handsome as he is someday, and you'll see what you've been missing."

"Right, your brother is much better looking and he's mine." A girl with shoulder length hair that was tied in a French braid. "Also, he even isn't that vain about his looks and quite helpful in the garage."

"That's because he wants to get into your pants, Andrea." Yosuke retorted with his tongue out. "I still don't see why though since he's only into cars before."

"Yeah, well." Andrea Sakurai answered in kind. "He and I actually talked about that and we realized that we have the same loves and no, he's isn't after my body, but rather my mind."

"I'm gone," the boy left upon seeing that Andrea was right as his older brother – Yamato really was not into girls until he met Andrea. "Save me some pork rinds after you've gotten it."

"Watta guy," yet another girl with strawberry blonde hair in a hime cut the quipped. "Knows when to back out. Maybe we should call him Speedwagon"

"Does this happen often, Hikari?" The medium black-haired member of the Automotive Club had asked her new friend. "Even then I wish I could find a likeminded guy in the future. Also is that a Jojo reference?"

"I'm sure you'll find one, Hoshino." Hikari Murata said with a shrug as she and Hoshino had come back from the convenience store. "As for me, well…I'm more comfortable with girls than boys. And the answer is yes."

"Me too," Natsuko Takahashi then added, her own copper hair tied in an odango hairstyle. "A lot of boys are just too immature to understand me, present company not included of course."

Satoko could only shake her heads at the groups' antics. 'Then again even geniuses have some sort of quirk to go along with their extraordinary intelligences and skills. Even then, I think I'll ask Miss Anzu if they need us in the team as well.'

-oOo-

Another week had passed by with lesser training given to the team for a chance to relax and to make up in their lessons.

Zack had used this period to move his virtual self to laptops for communications outside of his physical self as he was needed in the group meetings as the instructor with Emi taking his place in the tank commander position.

He was also given virtual forms by the school psychiatrist to be his assistant for the team in case of the students getting too nervous on the field.

Anzu had asked the Automobile club to wait for some more time before joining the sensha-do team as they were more needed in the garage at the moment, or at least until they could have volunteers to shorten the repair time even further.

Speaking of Anzu, she had called the tank commanders of each team to report to the Student Council room for a pre-practice battle mission briefing by Momo.

-oOo-

The meeting had all the tank commanders – Miho, Noriko, Saemonza, Azusa, Anzu, Neko, and Emi along with Zack whose body could now be seen in the screen of Yuzu's laptop (that was on her lap) facing the whiteboard where Momo was drawing some tactics.

There was also a large A3 size paper where the description of the Matilda II that would compromise most of the enemy troops pasted on the whiteboard by means of circular whiteboard magnets.

"Listen, everyone." Momo had started her lecture. "Our opponent, St. Gloriana relies on heavy armor plating on their tanks and strict coordination. They also excel in infiltrations and raids so be sure not to leave any holes in our defenses."

"As you can see, their tank armor is very tough as they use Matilda IIs as the mainstay of their forces," Momo then added, satisfied at everyone listening to her lecture. "As such our guns won't penetrate their armor at over 100 meters, well except for our Tiger and Abrams."

"What do we do then?" Neko then said while crossing her legs, daring the other girl to discipline her. "Do we charge at them and fire at point blank range? I'm cool with that."

"No, even if the Tiger I can pop the Matilda's armor, there is still the Churchill to deal with." The monocle-wearing PR officer answered with nary a change in tone. "Given that commander's skill and unorthodox tactics, not even your tank could survive a prolonged fight. Not to mention, there's the Challenger 2 main battle tank that may suddenly surprise us before our Abrams engage it in battle."

"So, what do we do?" Azusa then asked, beginning to be afraid of their enemies' armor. "We can't just wait for them in an ambush."

"Actually, that's exactly what we're gonna do." Momo then added with a bigger smile upon seeing that at least one of them was using her head. "One of us would have to play the decoy while the rest of us would blast them from a vantage point on top of a hill."

"Sounds like a plan," Saemonza said with a sigh of relief. "It's kind of like the battle of Uedahara where we would be Murukami Yoshiko."

'Right…" The short haired student council member could only say in response. "Well, anyone else?"

"What's wrong, Miss Nishizumi?" Anzu then asked her ace in the hole. "Go on, tell us."

"Well, St. Gloriana may see through our plans then encircle us and trap us in what is called as double envelopment."

"Good point," both Anzu, Emi, Neko, and Zack said while nodding.

"Uh, what is double envelopment?" Both Azusa and Noriko then asked together.

"Double envelopment is when a certain defending group is surrounded on both sides by the enemy," Emi then explained. "From what I could see in the given map, they could do so at least on one side if we're not careful. Not only that, the Challenger would shoot at us from afar and keep us pinned down until the rest would climb up."

"Shut it, Nishizumi." The PR manager nearly yelled in anger. "If you know so much about tactics, then you be the commander."

"Whoa, calm down." The red-headed Student Council President said with her hands raised palm open to calm her friend down. "It's not that your plan is bad; but you said it yourself, the enemy commander is pretty unorthodox herself and we shouldn't underestimate her. Besides, Miss Nishizumi here had been a vice commander herself and thus knows shit about strategy and tactics."

"Wait, you were?" The rest of the tank commanders then stood up and faced poor Miho. "What school did you go to before coming here?"

"I'll tell you all about it another time," Miho answered quickly. "And what do you mean, Miss Kadotani?"

"I mean that you be our commander," the diminutive teen answered with a big smile. "At the very least, you would be our go in between the team and the SC even if Momo, Yuzu, and I are half of the Student Council. Not only that, you know more about sensha-do then even Zack does and thus it would be fitting to lead us into battle."

Momo could only shake her head at her friend's political maneuvering. Still, it would be nice not to have a second job since her current one was already taxing to begin with. 'That and I'm sure she'll put me in the vice commander role anyway.'

"In addition, if we win this battle, you could get a special prize." Anzu then added. "Enough dried potatoes for three days."

"What if we lose," Noriko then thought to ask. "What do we get?"

"Then you'll do the traditional Ooarai Anglerfish dance." Anzu answered simply, causing panic amongst the commanders who lived in Ooarai. "I hope for your sake that we'll win."

The tank commanders then left with most of them pumping themselves up to win the battle with Miho, Emi, and Zack wondering how bad the Anglerfish dance would be. Of course, we know how embarrassing it would be, right everyone?

-oOo-

A little later, Miho was talking with the rest of Team A and F on how bad the Anglerfish dance really was outside the school.

"Ahhh, not that dance." Saori actually backed away as she answered, a hint on how bad the dance would be. "That's the height of embarrassment and what's worse, someone would put it on the internet and your mother would probably disown you for doing it."

"It is that bad?"

"Yes, especially since you'll be wearing pink skintight suits that were tailored to make you look like a female anglerfish."

"Gee, I should tell the Lieutenant about it." The light brunette then added with worry. "Are there any videos on it in the internet?"

"No, I checked." Mako then answered. "The only thing online is the lyrics since the dance is too embarrassing for anyone to post."

"Nishizumi-dono," Yuakari then interjected. "We must win the battle to keep your dignity intact."

Miho could not say anything more than - "Oh my."

-oOo-

Back at the garage, Zack had come back to see a tall blonde girl wearing a cat ears headband and large glasses that seemed opaque enough for him not to see the wearer's eyes while slouching in front of his physical self in full view of his cameras.

"And what can I do to you, Miss?" The Abrams said with a bit of hesitation as he had not met this girl before even if the uniform was familiar. "My apologies since I just returned from a briefing by the Student Council or at least the members also participating in sensha-do."

"No need for apologies-nyaa," the blonde replied with her head bowed. "I'm Nekota of 2-C and I was asking if my friends and I could join the team."

"Miss Nekota, I am only an instructor here." Zack then added upon hearing the request. "I could relay your request to either Miss Kodotani or even Miss Nishizumi. Also, are you a regular student of Ooarai?"

"Yes, I am-nyaa." The blonde nodded, giving the Abrams a glimpse of the beautiful eyes that the girl had hidden well. "May I ask why?"

"Well, please don't tell anyone about this, but it would seem that we were given a penalty of sorts if we lost in our practice battle?"

"What sort of penalty-nyaa?"

"The team has to dance the Ooarai Anglerfish dance," Zack said with no change in tone. "How bad was it to have such an effect on the tank commanders?"

"It's really bad-nyaa," Nekota answered with a shiver. "They would make you wear some pink skin-tight suit that resembles a female Anglerfish and then you had to make some strange dance related to its mating ritual."

"That would be bad for the team indeed," the tank had its turret nod in response. "I'm hoping that it would not be a regular occurrence."

"Me too-nyaa," the second year had added. "Still, thank you for helping me since it would give me a chance to be in a real tank."

"Huh?"

"I'll tell you all about it when I'm with the team-nyaa."

The girl then left the garage quickly, but not after closing the door with a grunt.

-oOo-

Come Sunday morning at 6 AM, the sensha-do team had gone to the tank garage to pick up their tanks to carry to the battle site – a abandoned quarry site near Ooarai.

Since the Abrams had the least fuel-efficient engine, it had left the school first at a quarter to six in the morning along with its crew that had also gotten to the Academy early.

Miho was also on her way to the Academy and even saw the Abrams pass her by to beat the early morning traffic in disembarking the school carrier that she waved at and was waved in return by Chihiro.

She then heard her cellphone ring as the Abrams had already passed her by.

"Hello," the light brunette said upon picking her pink cell.

"Miho, it's Saori." The voice on the cell said with a whine. "I'm at Mako's right now and she won't wake up. What do I do?"

"Just try to get her up," Miho answered with a sigh. "I'll call the others."

The Team A commander then pressed the close button with a sigh before dialing another number.

-oOo-

At Mako's house, Saori and Mako were playing tug of blankets as the latter refused to give up her beauty sleep. Mako herself was surrounded by a plethora of alarm clocks that failed in their duty.

"C'mon, wake up." The ginger-haired girl nearly yelled in her frustration. "What about your credits?"

"They're not that many," the brunette replied with a tired voice.

"Then get up!"

"That's impossible."

Both girls were interrupted by a bugle reverie outside of the house. Saori had opened the front door to reveal Yukari with a bugle (that she probably bought from some flea market somewhere) who then greeted – "Good Morning".

Not only that, but the Panzer IV had also rolled up to Mako's house and fired a blank shot to wake her up. Mako certainly woke up at such a loud and terrifying sound…then again, so was the rest of the neighborhood.

Miho then greeted the two crewmembers standing in the door with "Good Morning" before picking up Mako, pajamas and all.

The Panzer IV then rolled through town while Miho was greeted by the already awake residents and was even wished some luck for the upcoming match.

Inside, Mako was being given the necessary items to get herself ready for school (bathroom ablutions, her school uniform, and even a small breakfast) while the tank was still on its way to the disembarkation gate and ramp.

The M3 Lee had joined its fellow tank along with the others as they battled traffic on their way to the port side of the ship. The Abrams had already arrived at the gate after a quick fill up that Zack had paid with his credit card with Hitomi handing the card and Zack signing the document virtually.

Since Miho had not been to Ooarai until now, the rest of Team A would take her around town after the match.

"Thank you," Miho said in reply as she saw the city in all its splendor below. "This may not be my hometown, but it is beautiful."

As the Ooarai tanks were given access to head down the disembarkation bridge, they were literally overshadowed by the huge school carrier that also docked beside their own.

The HMS Ark Royal had also disembarked its passengers for the upcoming match and a chance to resupply as its passengers would take a few days' shore leave.

Among the disembarking passengers were the St. Gloriana Girls College's Sensha-do team along with its own instructor tank – a Challenger 2. The said main battle tank certainly looked formidable as Yukari had once told them and that it was certainly a match for the Abrams in terms of armor and firepower.

-oOo-

A good two hours later, the teams had met face to face in a field nearby their chosen field of battle.

"Thank you for accepting our invitation for a practice match," Momo said as the blonde girl with a French braid had disembarked elegantly from her Churchill. "Even if it was done on such short notice."

"We don't mind," the blonde replied before putting her right hand over her mouth to cover her smiling face. "Even then, your tanks are certainly unique. Even then, we will fight to the best of our abilities, no matter who are opponents are."

"Unlike our vulgar opponents – Pravda and Saunders, we fight honorably." The girl who they later learned was the St. Glo's overall commander – Darjeeling. "Let us fight do our best as honorable knights."

"The match between Ooarai/Bellwall Academy and St. Gloriana Girls College will now begin," a bespectacled Sensha-do Federation judge then said in her best authoritative voice. "Everyone bow your heads."

The teams then moved to their respective starting positions as did the judges with the observation posts throughout the battlefield.

Everyone had put their respective game faces on (although one of them seemed to be staring into space for some reason) as they awaited the start of the match itself.

Momo then radioed Miho that they need to be at their best in this match which Miho only agreed.

"Commence Match."

All of the tanks then rolled out for the beginning of hostilities.


Surprised you, huh? Not only is the Ooarai-Bellwall's Instructor tank an M1A1 Abrams modern battle tank, the spirit within it is also a crew member that had an understanding of said tank. As for Nekonya and her friends, they'll be showing their stuff later in the story.

Next chapter would be Oorai/Bellwall versus St. Gloriana and it would be a lot of fun...after I finish posting the second chapter of Together in Spirit and Flight of the Intruders: Seeds of Freedom, as well as the first chapter of A Ponyta's Tale, of course.