Chapter 34: The first day of training, part 3.
8:15 am
In the courtyard behind the Yorktown division headquarters was a small stage where Dwight, Clark and Samantha stood in front of a microphone. A short distance from them stood Kay, looking uncertainly at the crowd gathered to watch the induction ceremony. She counted about 65 girls, including other tank commanders, whom she had met the day before. The spectators stared at her curiously, and talked to each other.
"But who is that girl?"
"A new student."
"And where is she from?"
"I know who is transferred from El Alamein, a British school."
"But that's not El Alamein's uniform... And then if she are English why she join to Yorktown division and not Elizabeth I?"
"Legitimate question… But it's best not to ask questions, I know that girl is under the protection of the student council."
"Silence!" Samantha ordered authoritatively.
Immediately the students (wearing the same uniform as Clark) fell silent.
The Texan looked at them closely, then stepped aside, making room for Dwight. She the latter initially remained silent, looking impassive at the girls gathered there, then she began to speak.
"We are gathered here today to welcome a new addition to our division, Scarlett Johnson, from London. Before moving here she served in the Panzerfahren team of the El Alamein carrier school, with the role of tank commander. There she was known as…"
She turned to Kay.
"What did they call you at your old school?" She asked.
"Montgomery." Kay answered, without thinking.
Dwight nodded and turned back to the audience.
"…Montgomery. And from this day forward she will be one of us, with the same rank, and with the nom de guerre of Patton."
That declaration left the students quite perplexed.
"Commander, are you sure that the newcomer has what it takes to command a tank?" A girl with short brown hair and gray eyes asked her.
"Hilda thinks so. And since I've known her Hilda she's never been wrong."
"Which team will lead?" A girl with dark hair tied in pigtails and brown eyes asked.
"The New Hampshire team."
"Why did she join us and not Elizabeth I?" A third girl asked her.
"Hilda assigned her to our division, and the reasons are unknown to me."
"What does saving Eva have to do with it?"
"Maybe. In any case, Hilda's choices never hurt the team. Now I give the floor to the newcomer."
To me?
Kay thought, taken aback.
Dwight moved away from her microphone, beckoning her forward. The blonde, overcome the initial amazement, came forward and stared carefully at the girls in front of her.
Calm down, Kay… You've already given speeches to your companions before. you can do it even now.
A wide smile formed on her face.
"Hi, girls!" She began, in perfect English.
"As Dwight here just stated, my name is Scarlett Johnson but you can call me Patton. I have long wanted to join the Black Sun, the most prestigious school in Europe, and just yesterday I made my dream come true. I know some of you will be puzzled by my appointment as tank commander, right off the bat. But I hope that in time I will earn your trust and your friendship!" She stated cheerfully.
That statement was answered by a brief applause, followed by a new buzz.
"Nice, the newbie…"
"And also hottie!"
"But will she be reliable as a commander?"
"We'll find out on the battlefield."
"Silence!" Samantha said again, silencing them again.
"And you move!" She ordered Kay.
The blonde, even if annoyed, obeyed.
The Texan stood in front of her microphone.
"Our team is one of the strongest in the foreign legion, because it is made up of expert tank crewmen with the right credentials. I hope that the newcomer reveals herself as such, because otherwise there is no place for her here! Do you agree, girls?"
"That's enough, Sam!" Dwight intimated.
Samantha whirled on her superior, staring at her in awe.
"But, commander… I…" She tried to say, being immediately interrupted.
"You have talked far too much for my liking! This is an admissions ceremony, not a trial!"
"Excuse me, commander!" The Texan girl replied fearful.
"Now move from there!"
"Yes!"
When Samantha had moved, Dwight took a seat in front of her microphone.
"The drills will begin shortly, I advise you to get to your tanks immediately!"
"YES, SIR!" The girls screamed, almost in unison.
Almost at the same time, at the headquarters of the Rodrigo, a similar ceremony was taking place, with El as the protagonist. Attending it were 60 girls, including the tank commanders, except El and Francisca, side by side on a stage, in front of a microphone.
"We are gathered here today to welcome Gloria Navarro, whom you may call Grandes. She comes from Madrid. From now on she will be the commander of the Hernán Cortés team. Be kind to her." Francisca announced.
Immediately some comments arose from the crowd.
"Have you seen those big boobs she has?"
"What a strange skin color... Is she of Arab origin?"
"Maybe she's just tanned."
"She arrived only the day before yesterday and they're already appointing her as tank commander? This is nepotism..."
"In fact, it appears that she saved the life of Eva, Hilda's deputy commander and childhood friend."
D-damn, they're talking about me…
She thought, embarrassed.
"Come on, introduce yourself!" Francisca invited her, stepping aside from her.
"I?" She asked nervously, pointing to herself.
The team commander nodded.
"O-ok…"
She stood in front of the podium, casting anxious glances at the spectators.
Calm down, El… Remember the speeches you gave to your teammates before matches.
She told herself.
She cracked a smile, then began to speak:
"Buenos dias chicas! As mentioned by Francisca, my name is Gloria Navarro and I come from Madrid. Before moving here I frequented the Invincible Armada, and I served in their Panzerfahren team, as a tank commander. I know some of you will be skeptical about my appointment, but rest assured I have very good leadership experience."
Although in the last tournament I failed to beat Jatkosota, so my school was eliminated in the first round.
"I hope you come to appreciate me as a sincere friend and loyal companion." She finished her.
That statement was followed by another series of comments.
"She seems like a friendly and nice girl to me..."
" I hope she's friendly enough to let me fuck her!"
"Victoria, do you only think about sex?"
"You are the usual nymphomaniac!"
"She looks like a good girl to me... Let's give her a chance!"
"Come on, enough with the chatter!" Francisca intervened.
"Introductions are done, so I'd say kick off the training! Each team races to its tank! In less than a week there will be the final of the European tournament and Hilda has decided that our division must participate in the clash!" She reminded them.
Immediately the girls set off, while the division commander turned back to El.
"You go too, Grandes. Your tank is one of the Panzer IVs, remember?"
El nodded.
"How do I recognize it?" She asked.
"Look for a Panzer IV ausf. f/g with this flag painted on the left side of the cuirass."
She fumbled with her smartphone and showed her a white flag with a red saltire on it.
wiki/Vicereame_della_Nuova_Spagna#/media/File:Flag_of_Cross_of_
"Thank you… Will you also participate in training?"
"Of course, otherwise what kind of commander would I be?"
"Yeah, it's true..."