(Note: It was day 3 of the training, it was skipped since it was planned that day two of the training would be filled with punishment such as instead learning how to do marchings and drills under the heat of the sun and doing other physical exercises , due to the student's rambling and bickering in the first day of the training.)
(Another note: There is a server to discuss regarding this story, if you're interested in helping, join in! /JBjVgVwq )
Old school garage, 12th of September 2015, 1300 hours:
Everyone was waiting near the garage, already wearing their supposed tankery uniform, waiting for the instructors to arrive. Everyone's expression was a tired one, with no motivation whatsoever.
"Yesterday was so tired... I feel like I can't move my legs." Miyuki growled as she sat on a log, lying her back against the wall. Stretching her legs out.
"Stop complaining... It's our fault for making Lieutenant Blais mad; guess he asked for physical training from the principal after we finished last training yesterday." Alisia said in a tired tone before then reaching for her bottle of water, opening the cap to drink the content, before closing it back. "Last night, I didn't have much sleep.. The captain told me to give him the full structure of the team and to email it to him because the president forgot to send or write to him. I contacted her but she doesn't respond until 8:30... Finished it at 9 p.m."
Miyuki nodded in understanding. "So that's why you called me late at night.. I see."
There was silence before Alisia looked at Miyuki and said, "I noticed you've taken my advice." Alisia said in a flat tone, still tired.
"Yep... A bit hard just speaking English, but..." Said Miyuki. "Maybe I can adapt here in a short time," she mumbled.
Then, a column of trucks was seen near the school gate, led by a small green willy jeep. On the trucks, attach each 2 or 3 cargoes on the mobile platforms; most are big, some are small. All of it is covered in blue tarps. The students looked and waited in anticipation, wondering what would be under those tarps. Then, the willy Jeep stopped in front of the garage, and the three instructors hopped out, wearing lighter clothing like polo's or short sleeved shirts with short pants or trousers due to the heat.
Alisia approached and asked the captain, "What are behind those covers, Captain?"
The captain looked at her, and he answered. "Oh, those? Those are the tanks you'll be using, plus the Churchill in the garage, of course."
Then suddenly, a student approached the captain, who was Aiden McGregor. "Excuse me, Captain, but may I have a request?"
The captain looked at the student before responding with a curious look, wondering what he would be asking. "Yes, what is it, Mr. McGregor?"
Lieutenant Blais stared at Aiden with a death glare unintentionally, waiting for him to speak. Aiden shivered in fear, but then Aiden built up his courage and spoke. "I checked on the Churchill two days ago, and I found out that its engine is a bit... rusty. Along with several other components, I think it needs to be repaired, but maybe it's better to be replaced with a better version like the Mk VIII."
The captain responded, "Ah, the rust? Already taken care of when you were all on punishment yesterday." Then the captain looked back toward the rest of the students. "Alright! Let's get this started. Head towards your group, and we'll be starting our lesson for today. Come on."
The captain's group went back towards the garage to continue with his lectures, while the rest, led by Lieutenant Blais and Dionne, were guiding them towards the now-unloaded tanks, still wrapped. Then Lieutenant Morrison orders, "Right, unwrap those tanks, and we'll continue with our lesson today."
Miyuki took the initiative and uncovered one of the tanks, and a M3A5 Stuart was seen, with an appearance as if it were just out of the factory due to how clean the tank is. "Woah! An A5 Stuart! I never thought I'd see one!" one student in an excited tone.
Then, the rest of the students uncovered the rest of the tanks. There were five Ram Shermans and another M3A5 Stuart. In total, there are 2 Stuarts, 5 Rams, and a Churchill. "This is all so cool! I never thought I'd be seeing a tank here out of all places."
"Alright, for today we will be learning how to drive and fire; we'll wait once the captain and the other students are done. Until then, feel free to take a look at the tanks." Said Lieutenant Dionne. The students began exploring each tank, one of which was Miyuki.
Miyuki looked in and sniffed the inside of an M3A5. "Huh... It smells like a new car... All of this is new."
"Really?" Anoki sneaked from behind and into the tank, looking inside. "First time seeing this kind of moving, heavy-looking metal. It feels refreshing."
Just a few dozen minutes later, the captain, along with the other students, came back. "Right, how was it?"
Lieutenant Dionne looked back. He wrapped his arms around his back in an at-ease posture. "All's good, sir. The students were just exploring; some even seemed to be seeing a tank."
Lieutenant Blais added, "For sure, nothing wrong happened."
"Huh, alright then. Well, it's obvious it may be their first time; they lived in such a rural place anyway." The captain explained.
"Uhh, didn't this town have a museum dedicated to the veterans in this town? Most people in this town have at least gone to war once in their lives." Lieutenant Dionne emend.
"I can confirm that, sir." Lieutenant Blais supported.
As the three officers continued talking, Alisia approached and asked Captain Morrison. "So, uhm, sir, what now?"
The Captain looked back at Alisia and said, "Ah, well, Ms. Harlington, have them start picking their tanks, and we'll continue with our lessons."
"Understood..!" Alisia then walked back towards the group.
"Alright everyone, the captain said, start picking your tanks." Alisia was cut as the students began rushing to the tanks and began claiming it for themselves.
"This is now ours!"
"No! This is ours!"
The chaos continued; Alisia was stressed, and then she looks back at the captain with a look that begs for immediate help. Lieutenant Blais saw this and immediately approached the situation, but the students immediately noticed and stopped.
"U-Uhh. You can have that."
"N-No! Please, you can take it."
Meanwhile, Miyuki was just leaning near the Stuart, along with Anoki, watching the commotion that was happening. "Omoshiroi... Ne?" Said Miyuki.
"Huh?" Anoki gave a look of confusion, not understanding a single word Miyuki just said.
"Uhm. Forget about it." Miyuki dismissed her, and Anoki just gave a hesitant nod.
Lieutenant Blais halted his movement, as the situation is now back to normal. Alisia sighed a breath of relief after, and soon, Alisia approached Miyuki and asked, "So, which one do you two like the most?"
"I don't know... But all of these are so cool! I thought by tankery they meant something else." Said Anoki in an excited way,
"I don't know..." Miyuki looked back at the Stuart she and Anoki had been leaning against since the commotion began. "Maybe this one?"
Alisia looked at the Stuart; he then walked towards it and attempted to reach up, which, of course, was difficult due to her height. Miyuki looked at this and approached her; before then, she lifted Alisia up, startling Alisia. Miyuki then placed Alisia on the tank before letting go of her.
Alisia didn't know what to respond with after Miyuki all of a sudden lifted her up to the tank. But she later looked back at her. "Thanks..."
"You're welcome!" Miyuki replied with a cheerful tone.
"Alright, time to practice the lessons we learned yesterday. Get into your tanks and start driving around the field. I'll give you an hour, starting now."
The students then went into their tanks, getting inside. One by one, the tanks began to turn on their engines, and the air was now filled with the sound of roaring engines, with fumes coming out of the engines, getting all warmed up.
"Alright. Uhh, try turning it on." Alisia ordered Anoki to sit in the commander's seat. Anoki, meanwhile, is looking at the buttons and levers and a few indicators. Anoki looked at the manual located on her seat, which she's sitting on, looking around a few pages, trying to remember.
"Maybe this...? Anoki pushed her finger on a red button, which ignited the engine, causing it to roar out loud, hurting everyone's eardrum inside.
"Ow..!" Alisia covered her ears. She reached for something from her trouser pocket, pulling out a hearing protection. She then placed it on her ears before she made a comment. "I didn't know Tank made a sound this loud."
"It's so loud..." Said Miyuki as she also reached for her hearing protection. Putting it on her ears. Followed by Anoki doing the same.
Anoki took a deep breath. Looking at the controls, she placed her arms on the levers. "So... where should we go, Alisia?"
Alisia stood up on the cupola, using the commander's seat to get on top. She looked around, where tanks were seen with their engines fuming, all static and quiet. Students were seen with their heads popping out from the hatches, talking to each other, many with looks of excitement.
"Alright, uh, try to move in circles." Said Alisia, looking down at the hatch that Anoki was below.
"A-Alright..." Anoki then pushed the levers forward, causing the tank to lurch forward, which caused Alisia to fall off the turret and onto the hot engine trap door, causing her to flinch off and fall to the ground.
"Ow..." Alisia moaned in pain from both the heat and impact, her head facing against the dirt. Miyuki looked out and saw Alisia, and in response, she came out and hopped off the tank, helping Alisia to stand back up, and with a worried look, she asked.
"Are you okay?" I asked Miyuki with a look of worry, leaning down slightly to reach Alisia's height.
"I'm fine," Alisia replied.
Both returned back inside the tank. It was until the tank's radio went live and the voice of the captain could be heard, "Testing, testing. Alright, all tanks, eyes on the Jeep—we'll be doing some off-road driving. The terrain would be a little rough, but, eh, that'll be in pretty much every match you will all compete in."
Just as the transmission finished, the tanks outside were seen moving; some were slamming onto each other, but a few minutes later, they managed to get in line, with the leading tank, which was the Ram, following behind.
"Alright, uh, get behind them." Alisia ordered.
"O-Ok..." Anoki was struggling slightly with switching gears and with turning the tank, due to this being his first time driving the tank. "The stick's a bit heavy and hard to use," Anoki complained.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it, probably... You're doing good already, Anoki." Alisia complimented. "Keep it up."
"T-Thanks.." Anoki smiled back in reply, now focusing back on the controls.
The Stuart moved behind the tanks, waiting to get its turn to move inside the seemingly wet terrain ahead. Alisia later instructed Anoki. "Right, go along the wind and see where the cloud goes... or something."
Miyuki noticed Alisia's choice of words as somewhat familiar. She then spoke up. "That's some interesting choice of words, Alisia."
Alisia looked toward Miyuki. "Uhh, yes," she answered. "Stuff that just came to mind... from whatever Japanese poetry there is... Boring stuff..."
Miyuki giggled, smirking, "So, you still remember your past in Japan? When did you move out?"
Alisia went quiet; before then, she answered, "I don't know... Grade 6? It's been a while."
"Eh? Grade 6, and you already knew poetry back then?" Miyuki said it in a shocked tone while giving a surprised look.
"Uhh, but not taught in school... My aunt taught me that, along with my older cousin. It was boring. I'd fall asleep before it even started." Said Alisia. "Some old silly words and novels about friendship and stuff... Just thinking about it makes me" Alisia yawned before she continued. "Sleepy..."
"Ehh, your aunty and cousin must have been so... Old-fashioned, is she?" asked Miyuki.
"Yeah, no, she still has some taste in 80's pop music; though she never admits it, she'll turn red if anyone ever mentions it." Alisia explained. "There's also my cousin being forced along with me.. Useless poetry. I heard she got into a British themed school."
"Ehh, such an interesting aunty you have... Mine's all boring and strict." Said Miyuki as she sat back against the wall of the Stuart as it shaken from the uneven terrain.
"Well, she still sucked... I'd rather stay away from her as much as I can." Alisia added. "Though I'd probably rather stay with her since I don't get much attention here either... my parents are always busy for whatever reason they have, at least I still have someone that still looks after me, but now she barely answers my calls... or even attends the last family reunion."
"By she, you mean...?" Miyuki asked with a curious look on her face."
"My cousin," Alisia answered.
"Oh, I see..." Miyuki nodded.
In the middle of their conversation, Anoki interrupted, "Hey, the terrain ahead is a bit bad; hold onto something; it's going to be a tiny bit rough."
Alisia looked back towards Anoki, nodding towards the advice Miyuki just gave. Before then, she reached back up to the cupola, looking ahead at the rough terrain, holding tight to the cupola.
-
The tank began to traverse, doing quite a job at climbing short hills, some steep ones too. Alisia even fell almost down from the cupola, but was saved by Miyuki. Mud entered through the tank as the Stuart slammed down a few puddles of mud, causing the interior and the three to get wet as the hatches were open.
"Can't you find routes with fewer puddles?" Alisia complained.
"S-Sorry!" Anoki wiped her face from the mud on her face as she continued driving the Stuart.
"Aren't you the commander though? You should be guiding her." Miyuki commented.
"... Right." Alisia realized, looking down with embarrassment.
The Stuart continued traversing along with the other tanks, hitting a few rocks and, on some occasions, getting stuck. But eventually it got out after reversing the tank, which alter continued.
The driving session continued for more than an hour as the students were enjoying the view while driving from their tanks, the sun began to set in the horizon, and the radio announced through, with the voice of Captain Morrison ordering everyone back to the garage.
"Fyuh. That was tiring." Said Anoki, with her cloth now dirty from driving earlier, along with the others having their clothing wet and dirty from the dirt and mud that entered the tank.
"Mhm, but it was fun! Ne? Alisia-chan?" Asked Miyuki in a cheerful tone.
Alisia sighed, looking at Miyuki. "Speak English, please."
Miyuki pouted before nodding, "Fine!"
Alisia sighed again. "You remind me of that one official's daughter from Tokyo who speaks a mix of English and Japanese... That one annoying bratty child..."
"Eh? You lived in Tokyo when you're there?" Miyuki asked, giving another look of curiosity.
"Uhh, no. I lived in Yokohama, Kanagawa. Although still considered Tokyo since it's inside the greater area." Alisia answered.
"Oh, Kanagawa. I'm from Nagasaki." Miyuki stated.
"Let's guess, half American?" Asked Alisia, staring at her with an annoyed look.
"Eh? How did you know?" Miyuki asked, wondering how Alisia knew her identity.
"...I just know." Said Alisia, turning away from Miyuki.
"Well, I actually moved when I was four to Kanagawa and got into the Yokohama International School. I'm surprised how you managed to find out my nationality." Miyuki still gave that look of surprise, in awe at Alisia recognizing her identity.
"Oh? I was there too since I was three or something with my older cousin; all of my siblings were there too, but they moved back to Canada before me." Alisia added.
"Oh, what class was it?" Miyuki asked yet again.
"Well, I don't remember much, but for sure, I was almost friends with everyone in the school." Alisia answered before she added. "I was still quite social back then."
"Ehh... Oh, and also, you sort of mention your cousin most of the time... Is she that nice?" Miyuki asked Alisia another question, now wanting more answers and questions to be asked.
"She's more than just a cousin or nice. She's more than a big sister to me compared to all of my selfish siblings. My siblings rarely talk with me, even to this day. She can be a little strict with me sometimes, but that makes me what I am today with stuff like religion and manners. Tought me in a better way than my aunt." Alisia released a heavy sigh. "Wish she still talks with me... I miss her."
Just as Miyuki was about to ask more, the captain interrupted them as he announced it to the students. "Alright, that's all for today. Tomorrow, we'll be doing a little cleaning; you all may now go home."
The students then began to pack their things; some switched back to school uniforms, some didn't, including Alisia. She then walked across the gate, carrying her bag, now walking home, when suddenly Miyuki approached her from the back.
"Ne, Alisia-chan!"
Alisia looked back towards Miyuki, wondering what Miyuki would now say, but instead, she received this unexpected request:
"Can I visit you tomorrow after the cleanings?" Asked Miyuki,
"W-What? Why?" Alisia gave a confused and surprised look.
"I don't know... Because I just want to talk more with you. Please?" Miyuki looked at Alisia with a pleading look.
Alisia hesitated a bit, but then she took a deep breath and sighed, before saying a quick, "Yes."
Miyuki then smiled and jumped in happiness. "Yay!"
Anoki then approached and asked the same of Alisia. "Can I come too?"
Alisia sighed, "Yes, yes. Whatever."
Alisia continued to walk home. Tired and all alone, although there's nothing to worry about besides the bears and wolves that might be wandering around. She then arrived in front of the door, unlocking it. Not expecting anyone home as usual, she entered and closed the door, when suddenly she was greeted by someone unexpected. There was a blonde woman who appeared to have just arrived, wearing a light gray trench coat. She then looked back towards Alisia and smiled.
"Welcome home, Lily!" Said the woman, who revealed herself to be her mother, Maria.
Alisia froze in place; she wasn't expecting such a return all of a sudden at the weekend. "Mom?" She gave a surprised face, unable to react much.
Her mother then kneeled down and hugged Alisia tightly. "You miss me, sweetie?" Her mother said it in a gentle and soothing tone.
Tears fell from her eyes. It had been quite a while, being all alone at home. Finally, at least her mother had returned. She hugged her mother tightly with her still dirty clothes, feeling relieved.
"Aww. You sure missed me." Maria then stroked her hair gently before noticing Alisia's dirty clothes. "Hey... You look a bit dirty... You should clean yourself first." Her mother said before releasing Alisia, but Alisia simply won't release her. "Alisia?" Her mother looked at Alisia with a concerned look. Her mother then noticed the clothing Alisia was wearing, different from the usual clothing with skirts and blazers or sweaters, along with the dirty boots she wore.
"Such interesting clothing you use... How about you take a bath, and then we talk? After all, tomorrow is Saturday." Maria said as she looked at Alisia with a caring look.
Alisia hesitated before nodding and releasing her embrace and heading towards the bathroom. Her mother also did the same and went towards the other bathroom to clean herself. After a while, both got clean, wore their pajamas, and gathered in her mother's room. Her mother holds her in her arms, all while stroking her hair.
"So... Alisia, you've come quite late to home now, and the clothes you wore before, what have you been doing in school?" Her mother asked in a soothing and gentle tone, still stroking her hair. "I usually see you playing all day long in front of the computer."
"There's this new club in the school called Tankery. I became the leader of it." Alisia said in a relaxed tone, acting like a spoiled child, letting herself be vulnerable.
"Ah, I see. The leader? Wow, what did you do to get such a position?" Maria looked at Alisia with a look of curiosity, waiting for Alisia to respond.
"Well, the headmaster used some weird method to pick a leader... He used some silly pencil, and the pencil, for some reason, picked me!" Alisia pouted. "It's like the wind hates me."
Maria giggled at Alisia's statement and continued stroking her hair. "Oh, it really sounded very silly... and no, you silly girl, the wind doesn't hate you."
The two continued to talk without realizing that it was already 12 p.m. Alisia yawned from her exhalation from the previous activity, which was noticed by her mother, Maria. "Well, time to sleep."
"Uhm... Can I sleep with you? Please?" Alisia looked at Maria with a pleading look.
"Alisia... Sweetie... You're 15; you should be able to sleep by yourself. Don't be silly." Maria sighed, still stroking Alisia's hair.
"I feel like I cannot get a good night's sleep from being all alone for months without you, so uhm..." Alisia looked down with a look of embarrassment, yet she wanted to stay with her mother.
Maria looked at Alisia, looking at her state. She felt somewhat guilty for leaving Alisia multiple times without notice. Yet she also wanted to make her daughter more independent and less reliant. But her heart won over her. "Ok, ok. But only this time, ok?"
Alisia looked back up at Maria, giving her a sweet smile, and cheered. "Yay!"
Then her mother turned off the lights and pulled the blanket close, wrapping both of them. She then held Alisia close to her chest, giving her a tight embrace. Alisia's eyes began to flicker, and soon she fell asleep completely. Maria looked at her and released a heavy sigh. Her face was seen with guilt, looking at the innocent face of her daughter.
"I left her home and spoiled her too much." Maria looked at the sleeping Alisia. "I wonder if I'm really worthy of a mother." She was left in thoughts; it was until she later closed her eyes and fell asleep in the dark night sky illuminated by the moon. With crickets creating sounds to fill the void of the silent night,.