"Taeko, can you scout Area A-13?" Hanoashi called over the radio.
"Sure thing Blaze," Taeko smiled happily. "Shinobu, take us in carefully, alright?"
"Sure, going to be tricky with that RIB though.
"Nothing we can't handle," Taeko noted. That's why we're going to be scouting at area Z-26, she added silently. Thanks to Yukari's scouting, they knew that Sanders was going to be using the radio intercept balloon. Unfortunately...she was also now serving a small jail sentence due to trespassing, but that was out of everyone's control. You had to get permission from the heads of the target school to preform a scouting mission so that the authorities knew that you were just there to spy and not...oh say...tamper with the shells or pour explosive fuel into a tank's fuel tank. Instructor Megumi had well taught them that by now.
As Taeko rounded the bend, she noted the enemy flag tank. "Akibe, fire!"
Taeko watched as disbelief filled Arisa's face, the Sherman's flag tank popping up. "We did it!" Noriko cheered from her loaders position.
"I can't believe it...not only did we draw first blood, but we won!" Taeko breathed. However, just as the other Ooarai girls were going over to congratulate her, she found herself enveloped in a bright light.
"Muh..." Taeko groaned as her amber eyes blinked open, the dreary prison ceiling she had seen time and time again. "Great..." she muttered, rising up.
"Good dream?" Hanoashi asked quietly.
"Yeah, one where Miho had never came to Ooarai and you lead us. Our instructor was a girl named Megumi as well...and I commanded the Type 89. We had just won our first match against Sanders when the light woke me up," Taeko ended in a small groan.
"Sounds like a good dream," Hanoashi smiled. "It'd certainly have been nice to experience that life instead of prison," she added wistfully.
"Yeah...but we're here now," Taeko sighed. "It's been a while since the coach messed with us," she added quietly.
"That's true," Hanoashi mused. "Hopefully he won't do anything like that again."
"No freaking promises...as much as I'd like to say otherwise," Taeko sighed as the guard called for the girls to gather around for the morning feeding as she called it.
Breakfast was not much different, cereal, the Cal-cake, and this time an egg sandwich. I wonder what the one strikes eat... she mused for the umpteenth time since coming to the second strike cafeteria. Hm...I also wonder if Rikona ever sneaks out any extra. Probably not, she's about the same as the rest of us physically...other than her impressive height...and giving how filling the Cal-cakes are...
Very quickly she found her wrist bound to Hanoashi's. This isn't too bad, I guess... she mused nervously. I still don't like it...but it's beats whatever that Maus-forsaken coach has for us!
The lecture was, as always, boring and with no real interesting points. I guess that they are just trying to fringe that we have an education. Third Strikes aren't even given any tests!
However, she glanced down at her hands and her amber eyes widened as she felt Hanoashi actually grasp her hand. That belongs to your brother, not you! She wanted to scream, but bit her tongue. I...I guess it's alright though, she sighed, reluctantly curling her fingers into position. Maybe I should allow her a bit more contact than I'd allow most...she is my sister-in-law after all, she mused.
However, after the boring lectures was the dreaded Gym. She placed on the gym clothes and quietly walked in, hoping not to make a scene.
Unfortunately, the coach had other ideas, and before she could protest, she found herself dragged into the locker.
"Gonna have some fun with you Tae," he smiled seductively.
"Please sir...I'm a married woman..." she protested.
"Yes...and your here on nine counts of accessory to murder. Want me to make it life?" He threatened.
"No...no sir..." she stammered, before sighing. "What do you want me to do."
"Take off your shirt and I'll show you. You can keep the pants on," he noted.
Sighing in resignation, she obey, but to her horror he took off his pants. "Just what do you think you are doing!?" she gasped.
"Oh you'll see my darling..." he smiled, his voice growing even more creepy than Taeko ever thought possible.
Taeko's tears fell as she felt a gentle rag cleaning her. "Alright, time for you to play dodge-ball," he mused.
I have his...urg! It was all over me and he just tells me to play games!?What is wrong with him! Taeko hissed within, wiping her tears as she pulled over the shirt portion of the uniform and half walked, half stormed into the court, picking a side opposite of Hanoashi as per the rules.
"Right, begin!" the coach yelled.
Taeko still wasn't to her normal athletic self, and it showed as she kept missing her targets. Before long she was hit with a rather hard volley from Hoshino. Taeko had to glare at her, before stomping over to sit next to Yukki.
As if her day couldn't get any worse, the coach had other idea's. "Alright, this next match is going to be everyone against Tae Tae," he laughed.
"Wha?!" Taeko gasped.
"That's not fair sir!" Hanoashi protested.
"Oh really?" The coach noted, walking over to her. You should not have done that...Taeko dreaded. I mean I've have done it for you as well...but...
"Sir..." Hanoashi began, and Taeko's eyes widened as he began spanking her like an impetuous child. At first Taeko was under the impression that it wasn't hard...or rather hard enough to leave more than a bruise or red mark...but still.
Yet to Taeko's surprise Hanoashi just took it. "Don't tell me Drake and Yu did this to her?!" she gasped, not too sure if she was impressed or disappointed. The coach however...was disappointed, as he suddenly began to grope her breast.
"Not nearly as good as Tae's, but good enough," he smirked.
Oh come on that's cruel! Taeko growled. It's true that I have larger boobs than many girls, but why is it that guys have to be so leachy about it and girls so envious of it! It's not like I went up to the Lord and asked him to make me a large busted girl you know! Maus I hate it when people judge me for these blasted milk producers...
After a while with Hanoashi in tears, he stopped and shoved her forward a bit, before sitting back down. "Now get to it! All against Tae!" he shouted.
Sighing in resignation Taeko situated herself.
"Oh, and Taeko cannot be knocked out. She has to knock everyone out! And no slacking!" he barked.
You mean I have to knock all these girl's out!? Taeko shouted inwardly.
"Begin!"
Taeko quickly grabbed one of the balls, trying to ignore the one's flying at and hitting her, and threw hers, taking out Yukki. At first she was relieved, elated even. One less girl! She smiled to herself, trying to knock out another, but the pain of getting hit was distracting her.
It was only when she glanced over to the first three girls, Saori, Yukki, and Ayumi that Taeko grew scared again. Saori was massaging his back, Ayumi his feet, and Yukki his chest That's horrible! She growled, determined to take everyone out as quickly as possible..
After a bit she managed to knock out Hanoashi, who was obviously sore, and Maho. However, this left her with fewer options, and the ever so quick to anger Hoshino kept throwing much much harder than needed.
Eventually, Taeko tripped and one of the volleyballs hit her square on the upper chest, causing her to let out a cry of pain.
"What's going on here!"
Taeko gasped as one of the guards had came in.
"Just a volleyball game sir," the coach noted.
Please tell me he saw them serving the coach! Taeko prayed, right as another rather large thud hit her bust. She glared at Hoshino who was just smiling wickedly. Why is she so mean...she wasn't like this back at Ooarai...
"You!" the guard yelled. "Come with me! Taeko, Hanoashi, you too!" the guard barked.
Sighing, Taeko made her way into the changing room and quickly into the Blue division uniform, Hanoashi following.
"So you want to tell me what's going on?" the officer growled.
"Well...we were just having a match and everyone but Taeko had been eliminated from the team. I was just trying to win is all," Hoshino noted earnestly.
"That's not true," Taeko shot back. "The coach placed me on a one vs all match!"
"Yeah, that's right!" Hanoashi added.
"Yeah right," the guards laughed. "Hoshino, you may go, Hanoashi, Taeko, come with us," they growled, cuffing them roughly and guiding them back into the prison.
"Wha?" Taeko protested, but the guard simply shoved her forward. "I'm going I'm going," she muttered.
"So what's the problem now?" an elderly man noted as they entered the office.
"Sir, these two are spreading rumors about the coach. As you know that's against the rules and a crime," the guard noted.
"We weren't spreading rumors about..." Hanoashi began, but the warden held up his hand.
"That is a serious offense girls. I won't send you to a prison, but you will be going back to the third strike pens as punishment. And you won't be rooming together until you prove to me that you've earned your spot back in the second strike, understand?"
"Y...yes sir, I do," Hanoashi whimpered, bowing. "I'm sorry about spreading misinformation," she added.
But you didn't spread mis-infomation! Taeko growled, but before she could protest she and Hanoashi were dragged into the changing room for the third strikes, and ordered to change into the clear uniform.
"Right, in you go, no cell mates," the guard laughed as he latched Hanoashi's arm into the cell. Taeko was taken all the way over to the other side and latched into the cell room.
I can not believe that I'm back here! Taeko raged, tempted to hit the table, but only the fear of getting another charge caused her to stop. Think Tae, Think! This is prison, of course he can do what he wants!
Sighing, Hanoashi simply turned on the machine and began reading, but before she could she heard a gentle voice call to her.
"Hanoashi, what are you doing back here?"
"Rikona...they think that Taeko and I were spreading mis-infomation about the coach," Hanoashi whispered.
"I'm sorry...I'm guessing they split you up?" she asked, her light green eyes glowing in gently concern.
"The warden says that we'll be placed back together once we prove that we can be two strikes again," Hanoashi sighed.
"That's tough...it's not easy getting de-ranked again," Rikona sighed. "It'll take another week for me to talk to Antony at least, so try to hold on, alright?"
"Alright..." Hanoashi sighed.
"Miss Rikona, it is time to return to your day cell now," the guard noted.
"I understand," Rikona sighed, entering the cell as the guard cuffed her. Walking over, the guard nodded. "You okay...you're sitting funny," the guard asked.
Hanoashi let out a small sigh. "If they aren't going to believe me about putting Taeko against everyone in volleyball then they are not going to believe me about being spanked." she sighed gustily.
"He spanked you...huh...thought he's supposed to have guards in there at all times," the guard sighed.
"Yeah..." Hanoashi sighed, before burying her head in the screen. "I was just being honest and here I am being punished."
The bright lights woke her up. She tired to raise up, flinching as her wrist were held down. "Taeko...what are...oh...right...we're back here again," Hanoashi muttered, gazing at the brown metal ring holding down her wrist. As they came undone, she tried to get up, frowning as it hurt to sit, so she quickly brushed her teach and tried not to show the pain.
"Hanoashi, time to get your hair done...Oh my gosh, what happened..."
Hanoashi barely had time to registered the guards actions. "Quickly. Someone call the..."
"No no, don't call the warden! Call Antony!" the other guard growled.
"He's busy...the..."
"Call it a hunch. We tell the warden he might make things difficult for her," the guard growled.
"Fine, you make the call. But it's your ass, not mine," the other guard sighed.
Is...this...is this our salvation? Hanoashi asked herself quietly.
"Yes yes, and yes, I'm sure of my suspicion. She's in the third strike pen. No idea why, maybe she told the truth about something or hid something and is being punished. Taeko is here with her. No, they're being separated...
"Right. He's coming," the guard sighed.
"He spanked me...the coach," Hanoashi whimpered. "He had tried to put Taeko in a scatter-ball match against everyone and I protested.
"Hey, Taeko's sore as well," a third guard called. "Brest area,"
"Not surprising, Hoshino hit her hard several times there during volleyball, on purpose," Hanoashi sighed. "I'm honestly not too sure if she got it worse or I did."
"Sounds like you both had a rough day, don't worry, we'll get things fixed," the guard promised.
"So Taeko and I can go back to the second strike area?" Hanoashi asked hopefully.
"I'm not too sure how that's going to work, but you're probably safer in the three strike area until Antony get it's all sorted out."
"Right...thanks," Hanoashi smiled. She wasn't at all enthused about staying in the third strike area, but even she had to admit that it was better than being accosted whenever Maus only knows..
Taeko let out a small sigh as she was escorted into her cell and her wrist was secured. Her Cal-cake and bowl of vegetables was brought in, and she ate quietly. Prison food sucks, she grumbled, not at all happy. In fact, she was pissed.
Sighing as she entered the changing room later on in the day, she glanced over at Hanoashi, who was struggling to put on the swimsuit uniform. "Let me help you with that," she urged.
"Thanks...sorry about getting us into..." Hanoashi began, but Taeko shushed her. "No, I'm the one who got us into this mess... and..." Taeko found herself interrupted by Rikona.
"No, the coach got you into this mess. And Hanoashi, you should not be doing anything physical," she chastised.
"Wish I could. Assuming this prison even has a medbay, I'd be sniffed out by the warden and called a liar, what with him protecting his precious little coach," Hanoashi snapped, before glancing down. "I'm sorry, I know you're just worried about me is all." she apologized.
"I'm worried about you and Taeko...as well as the other girls," Rikona sighed, petting her on the head before turning to Taeko. "Are you alright?"
"Not really, but I'll manage. I'm just sore is all," Taeko sighed. "And royally pissed."
"Same, believe me, Antony is going to be as well when he finds out just what all has been going behind the scenes," Rikona growled.
"Alright girls, pair up, Taeko, even though you're not daycelling with her, you can be with Hanoashi...or that's what I'd like to say but I'm giving you both three days off. After that, you must begin exercising or be in the med-bay," the guard noted.
"R...right," Taeko noted, taking a seat on the bench. Hanoashi just stood next to her.
"Taeko," Hanoashi began.
"Hm..." Taeko glanced up at her.
"I miss holding your hand," Hanoashi noted.
"Er..." Taeko glanced away, and sighed. "It's not something I'd normally do."
"Sorry," Hanoashi sighed. "It's comfortable, in a way I envy my brother," she added.
"He's the lucky one. Although I thought you were going to marry Yukaro?" Taeko teased.
"I am, just saying," Hanoashi smirked.
"I guess when we get back to the second strike pen you can hold it," Taeko shrugged.
"If we get back. No idea how long it'll be," Hanoashi fretted.
"Yeah...just hoping that we don't regret this," Taeko sighed as she watched the girls exercising.
Rikona walked up to one of the guards who was mentioning for her. "Antony wants you to find out what happened to Taeko and Hanoashi," she whispered.
"I understand Aoi," Rikona nodded, a light fire in her green eyes as she walked over to the two girls. "Tell me exactly what happened," she noted.
"Well...it started when we first went into the two strike pen," Taeko began, and explained how she was groped, what he did in the gym, and everything else as well as what happened to Hanoashi."
"This is worse than we thought," Rikona shuddered.
"We?" Hanoashi asked.
"The...TWSCO. I've never met her face to face as I'm a prisoner and TWSCO's are...well...you know, but I have spoken to her on the phone a time or two. She's been worried about some of the signs she's been seeing in the Sensado girls, but it's never really been enough of a suspicion to raise an issue before," Rikona admitted.
"I see..." Taeko mused.
"Like Mark, our TWSCO wants to see us successfully complete the program and move on with our lives," Rikona pointed out gently. "That's not to say all of us will, but it is what most here want at the end of the day." Her gaze turn down in anger after a bit. "But the lower class coach...he just wants to take advantage of school girls...disgusting," she growled.
After exercises, Taeko found herself once again cuffed to the table, and tried to focus on reading. It's like I've been in time out for the past several months... she realized quietly. Speaking of which, I've heard that Blue Division passed her qualifying trials for the winter cup. I wonder who we'll face off against first?
"All 444 members are to head to the Sensado sheds, I repeat, all 444 members are to head to the Sensado sheds," a voice echoed over the prison intercom.
Expecting the usual disappointing feeling of being handcuffed behind her back, Taeko initially didn't register her indifference to being handcuffed and half dragged to the changing area, where she quickly put on the third strike uniform, grateful to be back into somewhat regular clothing. Being dragged out of the prison along with the rest of the 444, her jaw doping when she saw a second BT and a tank she'd never seen before.
"Alright girls, listen up!" El noted, gazing at the girls who where still in handcuffs. "Due to recent funding we have taken the opportunity to upgrade our CV-33's to a BT-7 and a T-80 light tank. As such, we'll be having a slight rework of the teams."
Taeko leaned in, curious if she'd have any changes to her roster.
"Hanoashi, Kelly, and Maho, you'll be moving to the T-80 light tank, Hanoashi will command, Kelly will gun and Maho will drive," El nodded.
That's cruel, not only are you separating Hanoashi from her cousin but you're also giving her quite the downgrade in the tank she commands! Taeko wanted to cry out, but she kept her complaint to herself. She tried to gaze at her sister-in-law, but she couldn't see her properly from her position.
"Next, Rikona will be taking over as commander of the Lee as well as overall command of the spare squadron. Erika will have command of the BT-7, along with..."
Taeko was confused. Did Hanoashi voluntary step down to give her cousin command of the Lee, or was it forced?
"Right, now we'll be partaking in a practice match, so everyone is to climb into their respective tanks!" El noted as she left, and the guards un-cuffed the girls.
Rubbing her wrist, Taeko walked over to Fusae and Asuga and let out a small nod. "We ready?" she asked.
"Ready as can be commander," Fusae smiled.
"Then let's go," Taeko nodded, doing a rather quick glance over of her tank as her crew climbed in, before entering the tank herself. Gazing over toward her sister and cousin in law, her heart lifted as she saw them giving each other an ever so quiet smile. I guess they are alright with this arrangement then, she mused, before taking the folder that Asuga was handing her and gazing at the tank's recent health report, before handing it back. "Fusae, take it a little bit easier on the engine this time around, the mechanics of our team want to replace pistons two and three before the winter cup," she noted.
"Understand commander...you've become more confident," Fusae noted.
"I try," Taeko smiled weakly, but before she could say more, her radio echoed to life. "This is your TWSCO, unlocking engines now, good luck girls, and take care of the new machines," she echoed.
"Understood," Erika and Hanoashi echoed through the radio.
"Commander Rikona to all spares, we'll head on over to the starting position, Just remember that we are trying to give the regular team an opponent, alright? Win or lose, as long as we make it difficult for them, we've done our job for the day."
"Quite right commander Rikona," The TWSCO noted over the radio. "You may take off when ready."
"All Spares, ride out," Rikona ordered.
Gazing at her map, Taeko couldn't help but let out a small balk at their starting position. "So...let me get this straight, we'll be fighting in a mock city?" she asked over the radio.
"El wants the main team to be able to handle city sieges," Rikona noted. "Some grounds include them, so we'll be training them for that. In theory, it'll also give us a bit of experience when fighting in the city."
"I suspect that we'll also be running a city assault soon?" Hanoashi called through the radio.
"Sometime, though when is beyond me. While it's true that Mark can call me over at his whims, we don't get to do much more than talk and maybe share a hug." Rikona let out a tired sigh. "He can't even give me a simple chocolate candy-bar without violating the terms of my sentence."
"I really miss beef jerky and vinegar potato chips," Hanoashi sighed deeply. "Or...the chips that are lower in sugar," she added.
"You even have to watch how much sugar your potato chips have?" Taeko gasped in surprise.
"I can't go above a hundred and five percent of the daily recommended value of sugar at any one time," Hanoashi confessed. "And I must avoid raw sugar at all possible."
"I see," Taeko mused. "That must be hard," she added.
"Meh, I just get a bit constipated if I go a bit over one oh five for a day or two," Hanoashi noted, her tone suggesting a shrug. "It really only becomes a massive problem if I keep that up for a few days or more, or if I do something like eat two slices of chocolate cake at a party."
"Surprised you asked Yukaro to hold your hand while shit was sucked out of your ass," Rikona smirked over the radio.
"We were in the in between phase, going out and such but not really...well...I suppose we were already boyfriend and girlfriend at that point, we just never really acknowledged it with each other."
Really wish we had headed her warning and tried to stand up for her. Or collectively stood up to Ami Chono. Had one of us just went home with her that night...
"You should reach the city in two minutes," The TWSCO announced through the radio, interrupting her thoughts.
"Right, so here's the scope, our job is to entrance ourselves in the city. Once we're in our position, I'll call El and she and the regs will attempt to sedge us, and our job, as said before, is to just make things as difficult for them."
"Taeko, you and Hanoashi will be bunking around first and third street respectively. Try to stay hidden, and good luck," Rikona called over.
"Right," Hanoashi affirmed. "Maho, take us in slowly, I'm fairly unfamiliar with the T-80 and I'd rather gain as much experience as possible before being called to use this beast in battle."
"Beast?" Maho scoffed.
"Well...compared to a frail little ole girl such as myself," Hanoashi teased.
"Glad you're in good spirits," Maho smirked.
"Hm..." Hanoashi mused.
"Something up commander?" Kelly asked, gazing up at them.
"Thinking of how cute of a girlfriend Maho would make," Hanoashi mused without missing a beat. Upon hearing Maho spew as if she had taken a bad drink, Hanoashi let out a nod. "You should consider settling down when you get out, if you find someone you fancy. You'd be good at it," she admitted.
"She's not wrong Maho," Their TWSCO quipped in.
"Seriously," Maho whined, and Hanoashi knew that her former friend's sister was probably blushing profusely at the tease.
"So...if you were a boy, would you date her?" Kelly asked.
"If she was interested," Hanoashi shrugged. "Although I'd prefer someone with longer hair to be honest," she added.
"Okay, while we wait for orders, let's play a game," Kelly smirked. "Say we were a boy, what girl would we date?"
"Hm...probably Rikona," Hanoashi mused.
"Bu...but she's your cousin!?" Maho spit out.
"So? I'm in jail...I think I've earned the reason to be a bit dirty minded from time to time now. And besides, she and I have actually been a tad too close than most cousins anyways. Not that we did anything that was actually dirty, but we've always been more comfortable...pawing at each other," Hanoashi shrugged. "Anyways, how about you Maho?"
"First, non cousin...or sister in law," Maho prompted.
"Hm...probably Ayumi. Her freckles are kind of cute, she had long hair, not too giddy...though Haruna is a close second."
"Hm...Erika for me," Kelly smirked.
"Why?" Hanoashi asked.
"She sounds kind of like someone who'd keep me on my feet and really...really appreciate it when I do something right for her..." Kelly shrugged.
"Hanoashi," Maho admitted.
"Me?" Hanoashi gasped.
"You...you're unique...in both looks and personality," Maho shrugged.
"Hm...that's why Yukaro was so interested in me," Hanoashi admitted.
Taeko let out a small hum as she waited in line.
"Hey Tae?" The TWSCO asked.
"Yes ma'am?" Taeko asked as her heart sank, expecting something was wrong.
"Can you do me a small favor?" Contact Hanoashi and tell her what girl you'd date if you were a guy. She's playing that game with her crew," The TWSCO laughed, before leaving them in silence.
"What the heck?" Taeko spurted.
"Hm...Lumi," Asuga admitted.
"Huh?" Taeko gasped.
"Saori for me," Fusae smirked. "I like her cheerful style," she added.
"Er...she was more cheerful before the accident," Taeko noted darkly.
"Come on cuz, have a bit of fun," Asuga noted.
"Hm..." Taeko placed her finger on her chin. "I never really thought much about romance, I mean Nova and I did date during the time I lived in California, but he was the only guy I ever considered dating, and that was mostly because he saved me from an abduction attempt." Letting out a small nod, she made a decision. "Aya Ono or Hana Isuzu."
"Hana?" Asuga asked.
"You'd like her. Long raven black hair, blue eyes, very Japanese looking...and acting, regal. Honestly I don't think any guy could ever hate her," Taeko mused. "Calm, collected, never raised her voice, willing and eager to try new things, gentle..." she paused, realizing that she had began gushing.
"You...sure you're not lesbian?" Fusae asked.
Taeko shook her head. "No, it's not that. I've...just always admired Hana is all," she noted. "Anyways, as for Aya...she's just so cute with her glasses and pig tails, and she's got a great personality..." Suddenly Taeko paused again. "What am I doing, I'm married?!" she gasped, snapping to attention while hiding her blush.
"All commanders, El's been alerted, let me know if you see anything or are engaged," Rikona noted.
"I think Nova and Taeko skipped that step," Hanoashi smirked over the radio.
"You little cheek!" Rikona gasped in amusement.
Taeko buried herself in her tank, blushing profusely. "Sh...she's not wrong," she half whispered, half muttered.
"So, Rikona and Mark also skipped that step," Saori added teasingly.
"Not you too," Rikona whined.
Taeko had the gut feeling that her cousin in law was also blushing. I wonder what Rikona is like as a wife. I bet she's really good at cooking, or that's the vibe I get from her. But...she's so tall...wonder what the guys think of her impressive height?
Rising out of her tank just a bit, she focused on the match at hand, her amber eyes keeping an ever close watch over the field. Just got to focus on the task at hand...she mused, before seeing a line of dust on the horizon. "I think the...yeah they're coming towards us," Taeko mused over the radio.
"Right, we'll send reinforcements over that way and..."
"Hold on cousin...let's wait just a little bit longer," Hanoashi called over the radio.
"Er...why?" Taeko asked.
"While they may very well be coming towards us, it's also likely that it could be a colored smoke screen," Hanoashi noted.
"Ohhh..." Taeko and Rikona mused at the same time, before they burst out into laughter at the antic. "That wasn't planned, but it was just too perfect," Taeko got in between giggles, before turning serious as a shell went past her. "We were just fired upon, shall we return fire?"
"Hanoashi, Taeko, fire four shells in rapid order, then retreat into the city, let's try and bait them in return," Rikona ordered.
"Understood," Taeko mused. "Asuga, fire two shells, then retreat," Taeko added as she quickly loaded the first shell for her gunner.
"On the way commander," Asuga smiled, firing into the row of tanks. Just as she did though a T-50 light tank sped through, and fired, knocking her out.
"Dang it!" Taeko hissed.
"Fall back now!" Hanoashi gasped.
"Yes commander," Maho gasped as she throttled the tank, barely missing the shell thrown from the other T-50 light tank.
"Um...should I fire back?" Asuga asked quietly.
"Fire this," Hanoashi commanded, placing in a Sensado league approved smoke shell, or SLASS for short. It was a relatively recent innovation in the co-ed league for tank that didn't have an original world war smoke shell, and the male and girl leagues adopted it recently after seeing Ooarai's outside use of smoke grenades during her matches.
"Any particular target?" Kelly asked.
"Just in front of the T-50," Hanoashi shouted. "Jink right!" she added in panic as Maho barely missed the oncoming shell.
"That was close," she whispered as the smoke shell fired, giving them some visible cover. Hanoashi didn't order for Maho to back off though and the T-50 roared toward her.
"Change of plan," Hanoashi called out. "We're going to have to go in!" she noted.
"But we can't!" Maho gasped. "That's suicide!
"We must take them out here," Hanoashi affirmed. "Kelly, I'm loading a APCR, we've only got one or two shots at this!" she added.
"Understood," Kelly noted.
"Maho, prepare to charge, but aim to the sides," Hanoashi commander.
"Right commander," Maho muttered.
Hanoashi let out a small breath as she saw the flag tank of the T-50 erupt. "Hardest one on one match I've ever done," she gasped.
"Same." Maho huffed. "I thought for sure that it was foolhardy.
"There's a good reason why the T-50 are considered the darlings of the co-ed leagues," Hanoashi shrugged.
"And why you were given command of one, before you gave it up to Miho," Maho reminded her.
"True," Hanoashi sighed. "Back then I felt that she was worthy of a command position and that I still wasn't...I just wish that...that I could feel that way again about her...but I doubt that I ever will."
"Don't worry, I'm the same way," Maho admitted quietly. "Don't get me wrong, I still care deeply for my sister, and I do feel guilty for bringing the Maus into the finals in the first place...but...I can't ever look at her the same way again." Suddenly she let out a tired sigh. "Why'd she have to go to Ooarai anyways? They are many better schools she could have gone too, mom let her have her choice of the pick."
"I...I don't know Maho." Hanoashi confessed. "I went to Ooarai because I got a scholarship to that academy, simple as that. But..."
"If you're quite finished, they're attacking us, Taeko and Hanoashi," Rikona called out discordantly,"
"On our way! Taeko, you following?" Hanoashi called out, only to get no response. "Taeko," Hanoashi whispered.
"They're fine, just knocked out of the match," The TWSCO chimed in.
"As long as they are fine then," Hanoashi nodded, before taking off to try and help out the others. However, as she arrived she saw that the enemy team had broken through already, and the helpless spares were just flopping around.
Gazing around a bit she saw Rikona's tank had been wiped out, and her heart sank, barely noticing the thud and the deployment of her knock out flag. "Th...this is madness..." she whispered half to herself.
As Taeko scrubbed herself down, well...as best she could with the cold water she had on hand, she let out a tired sigh. I have to do better, she told herself sternly. Granted, we are cannon fodder, but still...I barely got in with just this program as my punishment. If I don't start showing more initiative...they might change their minds.
Scrubbing her hair, she shut her eyes to avoid the stinging of the soap. That'd probably make the families of the victims feel better in some ways...I know if my daughter had died in that way I'd want the girls responsible hung...or at least to serve life. Granted, I am very happy that I'm not serving life...at least not as of right now, but even I have to agree that for my part five years and a clean record afterward is a very light punishment.
Opening her eyes as she finished scrubbing her hair, she frowned as she saw the suds flow down her bare breast, the memory of what the coach did to her flooding through her mind as her eyes widened momentarily. It's okay Taeko, you're safe from his schemes...and hopefully he'll be caught and out of here once you and Hanoashi become two strikes again.
Quickly washing it off, she let out a gusty sigh. Will I ever be normal like again?
As the Japanese brunet finished washing, she gazed around at the other three strikes as they donned the clear long sleeve rain jacked. And the disdain award for my least favorite article of clothing ever goes too...she sighed again as she likewise placed hers on and followed the others back to their day cells.