Chapter 27: Between warnings and dreams of victory.

7:33 pm

Hilda, Kay and El had just finished dinner. The trio had feasted on typical Bavarian dishes that evening, such as Kasnocken (dumplings), Frikadeller (flat meatballs), and Leberkäs (typically Bavarian meat dish). There was no shortage of desserts, such as the Prinzregententorte, and drinks, such as (non-alcoholic) beer.

"Ah, what a meal!" El exclaimed, looking satisfied.

"Almost better than Saunders meals!" Kay admitted, pleased.

"But if your meals consist exclusively of hamburgers, fries and Coca/Pepsi Cola." Her colleague affirmed, sticking out her tongue.

"This is not true at all!" She replied the blonde, slightly offended.

Hilda, for her part, was silent, with an impassive expression on her face. The two girls, noting her state of mind, suspected that her attitude was due to the discussion they had just before her. However, neither Kay nor El had the courage to question her, fearing an aggressive reaction like the one before. Hilda herself took care of breaking the delay, who asked:

"You two are respectable people, aren't you?"

Initially her two guests remained silent, then Kay replied:

"Of course yes."

The German blonde put on a displeased expression.

"So, in the name of the Kami, how could you take part in a criminal activity like the Tankathlon?"

"Explain to me what you have against Tankathlon?" El asked her.

"It's a barbaric, anarchic, violent sport that brings out the worst in people! Suitable only for hooligans and delinquents! Nothing to do with the noble panzerfahren!" was the answer.

"It is also illegal throughout the European Union." She added.

"But why?" Kay asked.

"Because in the past some people (both participants and spectators) have been injured… Or worse. And following these incidents the European Panzerfahren Federation, in agreement with the federations of the member countries, decided to outlaw it. And to tell the truth, I'm surprised that the Japanese federation does not take similar measures."

Kay looked down.

"In fact, there was a time when it was thought about doing that." She admitted she.

"For what reason?" El asked, surprised.

Kay looked at her in surprise.

"You really don't know anything about the Okayama tragedy?"

El thought about her, then said sadly:

"Ah, that's right… Now I remember."

"What are you two talking about?" Hilda asked, curious.

It was Kay who answered:

"During a Tankatlhon match between the BC Freedom and Tatenashi academies in a countryside area Shizuka Tsuruki, commander of the Tatenashi, set fire to some private homes."

"Why did she do it?"

Kay shrugged.

"I think it was some kind of tactic, I never asked her. But in the fire of one of her houses, Mayu Ikeda, a 10-year-old girl, lost her life, while her younger brother Satoru, 8, fell into a coma."

"And this Shizuka didn't notice their presence?"

"She said no... Also because the two were on the first floor, in their bedroom, and she had started the fire on the ground floor."

Bitch!

Hilda thought, shocked.

"And then?"

"The news circulated in the media for some time, but then fell into oblivion."

"Why did neither the federation nor the government do anything?"

"Tankathlon is not a matter of the sensha-do federation. And the government had other fish to fry… Tensions with North Korea, territorial disputes with China over the Senkaku Islands and with Russia over the Kuril Islands, the imminent Tokyo Olympics." El explained.

Hilda crossed her arms.

I'll have to keep this information in mind… It might come in handy.

"I understand… In any case, I strongly advise you to abandon that demonic and illegal practice. A serious commander does not mix with thugs!" She stated, harshly.

"I want to clarify that the commander of the Flying Tanks was not me, but Alisa. And she has always behaved beyond reproach during the matches." She hastily pointed out Kay.

"Perhaps you have some personal reasons to hate Tankathlon so deeply?" El asked her.

"None of your business!" She replied the German angrily.

El gulped and wisely decided not to press it. Instead Kay thought:

Maybe her friends know something… I'll have to ask them.

Moscow, 7.45 pm

Inside a boxing gym a blonde with long hair and blue eyes wearing a camouflage uniform with a blue Spetsnaz beret and smoking a cigarette was observing, stopwatch in hand, a girl with short blonde hair, about 1 meter tall and 90, wearing a red T-shirt and shorts, training with a sparring partner. After a couple of minutes the latter, shorter and weaker than her opponent, ended up on the mat. The woman looked at the stopwatch, and then commented:

"A minute… You usually take half the time." she stated.

The girl turned in her direction.

"The important thing is to win the match, not the time it takes." she replied.

The woman smiled.

"I see you haven't forgotten my teachings, doch…"

"I could never, mat. It is thanks to them that today I am a respected student and an ace of Russian women's boxing (junior category)."

"And not only about boxing, but also about the Tankery. You are the best tankery commander in Russia… indeed, in the whole of Europe!"

"The second, maybe." A third female voice intervened.

The two turned around, noting that a girl with long, straight blond hair and blue eyes had entered the room, who was also wearing a camouflage uniform.

"She is second to none!" The woman replied, irritated.

"She is second to Hilda Breisgau."

"Don't say that name in my presence!" The blonde boxer intimidated her, in a threatening tone.

"And you get up!" She ordered her sparring partner to her.

The girl, who had short black hair and black eyes, slowly got to her feet.

"Soon she will be the first!" The woman exclaimed.

"Four years ago you said the same thing, Sofiya. Result? The Black Sun swept us away."

She turned her to the boxer.

"Am I right, Ludmilla? I still remember your frustrated expression when our team came out totally annihilated after a long battle…"

"Klara, your defeatism is equal to your insolence… Just because Black Sun is strong doesn't automatically make it invincible. It can be defeated, and you know it!" said the woman named Sofiya.

"She is the holder of the title of European champion, which she has successfully defended nine times. She is practically undefeated. Not to mention the national titles…"

"I know it well, but that's not why I intend to resign myself! Only the weak and cowards give up the fight!" Ludmilla said.

"I will emerge victorious both in the ring and on the Tankery court, how true my name is Ludmilla Balalaika!" She added, with a touch of pride.

Klara for her part was skeptical. Kursk had already challenged the Black Sun several times during the European tournament, and every single time the Germans had emerged victorious. How could they think that this year things would be different?

It is useless to ask certain questions… They are always right anyway.

She thought, snorting.

"I hope too. Also because it's humiliating to be defeated in every championship."

"As if we didn't know… But this time we'll do our best. We'll teach those Nazi/Atlantist/European bitches a good lesson!" Sofiya stated, assuming a sadistic expression.

How did you perform at your best in previous tournaments?

Klara wondered, refraining from saying it.

You'll see, Hilda… This time I'll defeat you, so I'll prove to all of Europe that I'm the real ace of the Tankery!

Meanwhile Ludmilla thought, with a sadistic grin on her face.