Chapter 13: The Secret Weapon
Some days had passed since that day in the office. At the beginning of practice, Delilah made an announcement that Johnston's Rebels will be receiving a new weapon that will be used starting our next match against the Kazakhstani Kunaev Academy. She stood up on top of Lee and waited as everyone assembled. Chattering was to be expected as everyone was either excited or confused as to what was going on.
"Did we receive new funding?" Ruby asked as she got to the front of the crowd.
"Very little unfortunately," Delilah answered. By the time she said that, the entire team was here and she began a loud whistle to quiet the noise. "However, we can take what we get." She paused as she turned to her tank and picked up something... When she turned back to us, we could see her holding some kind of rocket launcher.
"Is that allowed?" Henrietta asked as she tilted her head.
Dixie chuckled. "The rulebook doesn't say anything about it, so it's legal."
"Today's practice will be over how to use the M9A1 Bazooka! Everyone climb aboard the Stonewall!"
Such a rush couldn't be believed by my eyes. I was watching these girls shove and pull each other as they each climbed atop the Tog II. After some hollering, they were finally on top the tank while Dixie and her crew got inside it. I was ready to get into my jeep until I heard a familiar voice.
"You too, Johnny!" Delilah called out as the rest of the girls did the same.
The keys were back on the bulletin board and I was pulled on top of the massive tank. Dixie came out of the hatch and took a look around.
"Everybody's on!" Maribelle shouted, eliciting a smile on Dixie's face as she looked down the hatch and the Stonewall's engine lit up.
Once the tank starting vibrating and began moving, all the cheers and chatting began anew. My attention was solely on the treads on the right as our ride made its way over the bumpy road. I could hear the chitter chatter from everyone and yet I couldn't decipher a single word that escaped anyone's lips. Even though we were going to do something new, I couldn't help but long for the end of practice. The long night of paperwork may have it's pain to deal, but there was something new to look forward to since that night. Not only do I have a friendly face to look at from time to time, I now have a hammock I can sleep in whenever I feel like it. I might even spend the night in my office from time to time on the weekends if I played my cards right.
My mind was so focused on reminiscing on my office that I didn't notice that the Stonewall had stopped, all girls were off and we were at our practice field...
"JOHNNY!" I heard Dixie yell. "Get off the tank!"
I looked to the girls, more specifically, at Delilah who was aiming the bazooka directly to where I was sitting. My immediate reaction was to jump off which caused me to fall onto my back. I had to quickly crawl behind the tank and covered my ears as I heard a loud pop followed by a deafening bang. Even with the precaution of covering my ears, they could not relay any sound to my brain aside from a constant ringing. By the time I got back up to my feet to see the crowd in the distance, I became a spectator in the cheap seats to the fight between the team captain and the commander of the Stonewall. The two had to be separated by Dixie's tank mates as some of the girls came running towards me.
It was at that point I noticed that my entire body was trembling the whole time. It certainly was a struggle for me to take footsteps on the grass as even my head couldn't keep still. I remembered this sensation, didn't think I'd experience it again... Especially like this. Time itself slowed down to me. I would move my left hand across my face and it would take over a minute to see my fingers enter my peripheral vision. Once my hand touched my face, I noticed that my spectacles fell off so I had to look downward and feel the earth as I crawled in search of my vision. Each blade of grass slid past my fingertips and palms as I continued. It wasn't until I felt someone else's hand that I looked up. Couldn't make much detail of her face so I returned my attention to the ground.
Thankfully, it didn't take too long as they were put on my eyes and I could see Annamae and Daphne yell at me as they helped me up. I could watch the both of them move their mouths but I couldn't hear anything. I looked over to the crowd and noticed that I couldn't see Dixie anywhere in the crowd until I turned my head and saw her sprinting at me. I saw her yell something to the other tank commanders who then said something back to her. The leader of the Stonewall commanded something to the crowd in the distance and I watched Lola run towards me with the first aid kit. The ringing in my ears began to quiet as Dixie motioned me to lie down. My hands trembled and shaked even when she held onto them as Lola and Daphne began inspecting my head, eyes, and ears.
"CAN YOU HEAR ME!" I finally heard Dixie yell as a flashlight was shone on each of my eyes.
"Yeah! Just barely!"
I thought I looked shocked about the whole thing, Dixie was downright spooked. She rubbed her hands down her face as I saw a great deal of air leap out of her lungs and a few tears leak out of her eyes. Daphne said something to Dixie which calmed her down as all three got me standing.
"Just take me to my office!" I ordered as I wrapped my arm around Dixie's shoulders.
Daphne and Annamae nodded to me while Lola was more focused on putting the equipment back in the first aid kit.
Even with my spectacles on, I still had trouble seeing as I was guided by the Stonewall commander. The entire walk back to the office was very much a blur. By the time we made it inside, the door was shut and Dixie began to hug me from behind. Her grip was just as strong as it should be piloting the massive tank she's in charge of. My ears were still ringing from the explosion that I couldn't hear or breathing or whispering. The only thing I could do was turn to her and return the embrace. She then sat me down on my chair and began getting the tabacco and pipe. Both were in place as I felt the polished wood stay between my lips and teeth and waited for her to strike a match. A puff or two later, I was coughing uncontrollably and had to spit the pipe out. It's said that this should help out with stress... I only wished it worked for me as well.
My trembling hand pointed to the tea pitcher which prompted Dixie to grab a glass and slowly help me drink it. It was still as sweet as I left it; it provided some comfort as I turned my chair to see the hammocks we set up that night.
"Are you okay, Johnny," I faintly heard her ask.
I turned back to her. "Just a bit shaken up." I knew from the vibrations in my throat that I said those things, but I still had trouble hearing them. "I can't hear too well right now."
"Can you hear me?"
"I need you to speak up a little."
"Okay!"
The rest of that evening went on with not much going on. I just relaxed on my chair as the ringing dulled over the course of the hours that passed by. It was by the time the sun was setting that the door was opened and there stood the team captain with a grim look on her face. Not only was that the case with her expression, I could see Dixie held no punches as blood appeared to have run down Delilah's nose and mouth. She held on to her left elbow as she looked down and began walking towards me.
"I'm really sorry for what happened, Johnny." And there was confirmation that my hearing was recovering, although not quite as good as before the incident.
I waved her off. "It's fine."
I saw that familiar glare she gave me. "I nearly killed you!"
"It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened to me. Don't worry about it, I'll be fine."
The commander of the Lee looked down once again, this time slumping her shoulders. "I'm glad you're alright."
I smiled at her. "I appreciate that." My shaking hand began to assemble papers and try to grab a pen. "How did the rest of practice go?"
Delilah looked to Dixie and immediately back to me. "Not as good as I hoped. After we found out that the live and practice rounds were mixed up, it was determined to be best for us to just know the handling."
"There's still tomorrow, some things take time."
Delilah tilted her head. "Are you the same Johnny I've known since you got that uniform?"
"Yeah, just a few things helped me find perspective."
"Yeah, like what?"
My smile grew ear to ear. "I'm not telling you."
"Fine, let's just get this over with."
And the rest of that night was filled with more pipe smoke, southern iced tea, and rummaging through sheets of paper as the sun disappeared from the sky and only a handful of stars to take it's place outside. Throughout this time, I was nodding off as I was dotting my i's crossing my t's. It was then both Dixie and Delilah got me out of my chair and helped my into my hammock. The softness of the string holding me up was immeasurable. I could only count a single sheep before I drifted off. By the time my eyes opened again, I could see that both girls had gone to their dorms. I was a little disappointed, I hoped at least Dixie would've kept me company for the night. There's always next time after all.
The walk throughout the campus was quiet, I suppose I woke up a little early for once. All there was to do was just wander around the place, look through the empty classrooms, and watch the clock move as I made it to my homeroom. The teacher was shocked to see me so early but said nothing of it as she went to her desk and waited for the first bell to ring. Through the corner of my eye, I saw Dixie pass by the doorframe. She stopped to wave at me, I smiled and waved back as I watched her get dragged to her classroom. The rest of the school day was rather uneventful, nothing more than lectures about math, obscure history, and other things. It wasn't until the final bell rang that I got out of my seat and went straight for the tankery garage.
Practice began with all the girls rushing towards me, seeing if I'm still functioning after yesterday and it took both Delilah and Dixie to keep them at a distance as we sorted out everything that happened yesterday. Thanks to there being a proper audit of inventory, the team will be using proper practice rounds. I stuck myself in my jeep despite reassurance from the team captain. Everyone took their tank this time around and I drove off behind them as we entered the field.
Not much to report other than the Rebels taking turns figuring out how to aim an old rocket launcher. Things took a drastic turn when I saw someone run from the garage, she looked like she was from the school desk as she reached the group.
"Is that John Jefferson?" She asked
"That's me," I answered as I walked over to her.
"EVERYONE! CEASE FIRE!" Delilah ordered as the front desk girl was catching her breath.
"What's wrong?" Dixie asked.
"There's been an accident in Saunders. Johnny, your sister's in the hospital."