Chapter 17 - Nerves of Steel
[Tournament Stadium]
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen! Rise and shine! The ceasefire has now ended and the battle will now resume for this event's SIEGE TANK BATTLE!"
"Looks like both teams have no intentions yet of fighting. Some are still waking up and having breakfast. Looks like an agreement has happened between the two but we still don't know for sure!"
[Viewing Platform #1 for VIPs]
(Chouno was already seated and drinking some coffee while waiting for Shiho. After a few minutes of waiting Shiho arrived very tired and had eye bags under her eyes)
"Good morning Chouno-kun.."
"Are you ok Nishizumi-san?"
"I met a very noisy old woman on the way home and kept on pestering me till I had to sleep so late.." Shiho said
"What in the world happened?" Chouno said
"Trust me you don't wanna know.."
(Chouno at this point was very scared to ask further)
[Team King - Dining Area - 12 Hours Left]
(It is now early in the morning and the remaining girls were now waking up and preparing. Ono and the tiger crew woke up at the same time and went to the dining room to get some breakfast)
"Good morning Akaboshi-san!"
"Morning Ono-san! Get your breakfast boys while it's hot" Koume said
"Yes thank you! By the way have you seen our Taichou?" Hajime asked
"Ohh Gero-san? He is in the kitchen helping out the girls with the cooking and heavy stuff. I didn't know he was a good cook!"
"Matsu-kun got up early to help? I wish he had woken us up so we can help too.." Ken said
(Gero got out of the kitchen and brought out a big canister of curry and started giving them to the girls. Ono and the others approached him and asked to help out)
"Morning boys! Sleep well?"
"Yeah. How about you Gero did you even sleep?"
"Of course I did! Just got up early and helped here"
"You should have woken us up Matsu-kun so that we could help!"
"I saw you three sleeping soundly so I didn't bother. Besides I can handle cooking perfectly fine!"
"Have you eaten already Gero?" Ono asked
"I'll eat later after the girls, you know how I am when I cook. I won't sit until everyone has eaten.."
"Well then Taichou let us help you now in giving these to the girls. All four of us will eat together after"
"Thanks that'll be a big help!"
"Alright girls have a seat and we will take your plates to you!" Ono shouted
"YEEES!"
(The girls sat down while the boys distributed the food for them. The three commanders have just entered the dining room for some breakfast as well and were surprised to see what the boys were doing)
"Ohh Good morning Maho-san, Miho, Itsumi-san"
"Good morning Gero-kun, busy morning right away, huh?"
"Good morning Gero, wow curry! Smells good!"
"Gero-san cooked it for us!" Koume said
"Didn't know you can cook Bakatora" Erika said
"Yes, cause back home it's just me and my father so someone had to learn how to cook!"
"Wow you really are amazing Gero-dono!" Yukari said
"Hope you all like the taste!"
"ITADAKIMASU!" everyone said
(The girls started eating their breakfast and all of them were overjoyed of how delicious it was)
"It's delicious!"
"Yeah the flavor is just right!" Maho said
"Not a bad taste for what Bakatora made.." Erika said while munching down
"Isn't that great Erika you get to eat Gero-kun's cooking?" Maho said with a grin
"Why are you always saying these things Maho-san?!"
(Erika and the others heard some kuromorimine girls talk about how good the food was)
"It's so yummy!"
"Right?! And it was cooked by Matsumoto-san!"
"So handsome and also knows how to cook! So perfect!"
"I want to be his wife!"
(Erika is suddenly emitting a dark aura upon hearing those girls talk. Miho and Maho was laughing at how Erika is not very subtle about her feelings)
"Ohh Whitey! This is so good! You gotta have to tell me the recipe!" Anchovy said
"I'm happy you all like it. But the recipe is a hi-mi-tsu!" (secret)
"KYAAAAA~!" the girls shouted
"Never thought I'd see the day Matsu-kun would be popular"
"Shut up Ken! Let me have my moments!"
"Oi Gero our Kommandant is looking at you with a very angry expression.."
(Gero looked at Erika and she was looking at him with angry eyes that sent chills down his back. Erika didn't make him sit seiza and just continued to eat the curry. Gero let out a sigh of relief when she sat back down)
"Phew..thought I'd sit seiza early in the morning.."
"Taichou are you alright? You look a little pale?" Hajime noticed
"You've been sweating a lot also Matsu-kun.."
"Oh this is nothing..it was just so hot in the kitchen that's all"
"Are you sure Gero, you look-"
"I'm fine Ono. Don't worry!"
(Ono was still worried but let it go. The four had their breakfast and after that they proceeded to their posts. The commanders will have a meeting now before the other team attacks again and think of a new plan to repel the wave)
[Team King - Castle Area - 11 Hours Left]
"Alright let's have a breakdown of the current situation. Two of our heavy tanks were white flagged last night along with 8 other tanks. We now only have 15 tanks left, 10 revives and not a lot of ammo left. The event will end in 11 hours." Erika said
"I'd say we are doing pretty good with these numbers and with all that has happened" Maho said
"I guess the right move now is to revive the 10 tanks that were taken out last night" Anchovy said
"Yeah that was what I was thinking as well..if we get more tanks then we will have an advantage.." Erika said
"Everyone wait!" Maho said
"What's wrong Maho-san?"
"Don't use the perk just yet Erika..it might be what they are planning for us to do.." Maho said
"What do you mean by that onee-chan?"
"Last night Mika told me supplies aren't the only things that can be stolen..then I remembered they still have that perk 'Steal' that they haven't used yet"
"But shouldn't it literally mean steal supplies?" Anchovy said
"I think Mika meant tanks can be stolen as well.." Maho said
"Can you trust the words of that Finnish girl?" Anchovy asked
"Mika isn't the type that would tell lies.." Maho said
"That is one hell of a perk..but not impossible..if it's true then they can just steal our tanks the moment we revive them.."
"If that happens they'll have the numerical advantage and canceling out our own perk.." Erika said
"So I suggest we hold on the revive for now..and see how things play out and let's hope I'm wrong" Maho said
"Alright then Maho-san I trust you.." Erika said
"Also I have a selfish request from you Erika.."
"Let's hear it Maho-san"
"When the enemy arrives..I want to take a shot on taking out one of their heavy tanks..if possible their commander.." Maho said
"Do you have a plan in mind?" Anchovy asked
"Yes..and I'm gonna need Gero-kun for this one.."
"Me? Why me?"
"Because you are lucky that's why" Maho said with a laugh
"A lucky Bakatora" Erika said
(Everyone laughed as always with the teasing of Gero. After that Maho now explained the details of her plan. The others agreed to it even if it sounded risky because if it succeeds the other team's commander will be taken out and their command structure will fall)
"This is one crazy plan coming from you Maho-san.." Erika said
"Gero's craziness might have rubbed off on you onee-chan.."
"Ehh?! It's my fault!?"
"Well then let's get things done before the enemy arrives.." Maho said
"Jawohl!"
[Team Queen - Command Post - 10 Hours Left]
"All units this is Darjeeling. This will be our final attack in this battle. Focus on the task at hand and we will win."
"Let's go Nonna, Klara, Kal! Show them the might of Pravda!"
"Yes Katyusha-sama!" Nonna said
"All tanks..GO AHEAD!" Kay shouted
"Time to settle my score with tiger-kun!" Takashi said
(All tanks of Team Queen are now on their way to the castle for they last fight. Darjeeling is keen on finishing it now before the time limit reaches them)
[Team King - Castle Area - 9 Hours Left]
"Enemy tank formation sighted! 1500 Meters and closing!" Koume said
"Alright you heard her! Mount up! This will be the final battle! We shall win this" Erika shouted
"JAWOHL!"
"Gero-kun..we're counting on you!" Maho said
"Yeah leave it to me!"
(The White Tiger, Leopon Team, and 4 Panthers went out of the castle to meet the approaching enemies)
"You all know the plan right? We are aiming for their heavy tanks if possible their commander which is in the Churchill!"
"Yes Gero-san!" Koume said
"Time to shine girls!" Nakajima said
"YEAH!" Leopon Team shouted
"Darjeeling-sama enemy tank formation approaching directly at us.." Assam said
"How many and what tanks?"
"4 Panthers, Ooarai's P. Tiger, and.."
"And..?" Darjeeling asked
"The White Tiger.." Orange Pekoe said
(Darjeeling made the devilish smile again while drinking tea)
"How nice of them to greet us first, we must return the favor..all units fire!"
(A volley of shots impacted Team King's tanks and a panther got white flagged. As they arrived at the enemy tank formation a firefight broke out and Klara's T-34 and 1 Sherman got white flagged. But the White Tiger and Leopon Team went straight for Darjeeling's Churchill)
"Koume-san please distract the others for us!" Nakajima said
"I'll try my best! Wolf 5 and 6 follow me!" Koume said
"Damn, they are aiming for you Darjeeling!" Katyusha shouted
"Don't worry. Tortoise move forward and destroy enemy tanks directly in front!" Darjeeling ordered
(The 80 Ton monstrous tank started to move in front of Darjeeling's Churchill acting as a shield)
"Waaa that's another big tank there! Bigger than the pershing!" Hoshino said
"Then we will do what we did last time! Let's go White Tiger!" Tsuchiya said
(The White Tiger and Leopon tag team is now back again and facing against the tortoise. Just like the fight with the pershing both tigers went around the tortoise and confusing it. After forcing the Tortoise to do a complete 360 from all the spins the White tiger landed a shot at its tracks and disabling it.)
"Now Tsuchiya!" Nakajima shouted
(Both the White Tiger and Leopon Team now drifted towards its rear armor and shot at the same time. The rear of the Tortoise was covered in smoke and its engine shut off. Suddenly the Leopon Team got shot at it's rear armor as well by Naomi's firefly.)
"GO WHITE TIGER!" Leopon Team shouted
(Suddenly the White Tiger accelerated towards Darjeeling's Churchill immediately after shooting the tortoise. The White Tiger shot but it bounced the Churchill then with a quick reload it was about to shoot again! But Darjeeling suddenly smiled and watch as the White Tiger get hit from behind)
*BOOM
"No way! From where?!" Gero shouted
(The White Tiger's rear armor was busted open by the Tortoise's 94mm shell and it stopped right in front of the Churchill with a white flag on top of it)
"Beautiful shot.." Darjeeling sipped her tea
(As they looked behind the white tiger they saw the tortoise's gun barrel smoking meaning it wasn't out of the game just yet and no white flag was seen on it. The shot it took from the two tigers only destroyed the thick 100mm rear armor but didn't go all the way through.)
"Impossible..it's still alive after that?!" Nakajima said
"Look again..Tiger Team's shot did not hit the spot we hit..their shell went to the turret armor..that's why we didn't penetrate.." Hoshino said
(Both Leopon Team and the White Tiger are now white flagged. Koume and the other 2 panthers were also white flagged by Nonna and Kal but they managed to take out 3 Shermans in the process. Darjeeling got out of her tank's cupola and looked at the white tiger)
"Looks like your plan fell short..what now?" Darjeeling said
"I'm sorry Maho-san..I failed.."
(The White Tiger's cupola opened and Darjeeling awaited for Gero to come out)
"Just kidding..FIRE!"
(The 88mm shell was fired and landed perfectly in the rear armor again of the tortoise. This time a white flag popped out for sure signaling it has been taken out. Darjeeling and the others were shocked by this and she took out her binoculars and looked at the castle. There was only one tank that can hit them from 1000 meters away. She saw another White Tiger staring at them from the castle)
"Impossible two white tigers!?" Katyusha said
"Actually Darjeeling..the plan worked out successfully.." a voice from the destroyed white tiger
"You really fooled me there..Nishizumi Maho-san" Darjeeling said with a smile
"Maho?! She drove darling's Tiger?! But who's that in the castle?!" Kay said
"No..take a better look Kay.." Naomi said
(They notice that the grass the white tiger was on had white stuff all over it. Then they noticed that the White Tiger's paint was dripping. They all were struck by lighting when they realized what their plan was)
"No way..Maho's Tiger was painted in white to make us think it was the real one!?" Alisa said
"Maho sure has nerves of steel to pull this one off!" Kay said
"When you all saw this white tiger of mine, it was obvious that you all had your sights on me..you all didn't even double check the tank number.." Maho said
"You really got us this time.." Darjeeling said
[Viewing Platform #1 for VIPs]
"What a sneaky plan by Maho-san! This is something I never thought she would do!" Chouno said
"It made it easier to hide their true objective which was the tortoise..they made it look like they were targeting the Churchill..a fake target under a fake tank..the perfect misdirection.." Shiho said with a smile
[Team King - Castle Area]
"Nice shot Matsu-kun!"
"As expected of our Taichou"
"It's thanks to Maho-san and Leopon Team that I was able to take out that tortoise"
"But it cost Maho-san's tank and the others as well" Erika said
"Don't worry Itsumi-san, onee-chan really enjoyed that fight, I could see her smile from here"
"I'm sorry..but Maho-san is worth more than 10 tanks for me.." Erika said
"Well..we have exactly 10 revives left..what a coincidence!"
"Are you crazy Bakatora? Maho-san wouldn't want that!"
"No it's not what she would want..but it's what you want Itsumi-san"
"Miho-san.."
"Go for what you want Itsumi-san, the choice you won't regret"
"Bakatora.."
"We are with you whichever you decide" Gero said with a smile
"Both of you..thank you.." Erika said with a smile
[Team Queen - 600 Meters from the castle - 8 Hours Left]
"Darjeeling-sama! The enemy team used their perk again!"
"Well..looks like the 10 tanks they lost last night will be revived.." Kay said
"No! They used it on…" Pekoe said with a surprised tone
"On what?!" Assam asked
(All of them looked at the screen's announcement and all of them were shocked to see who was revived. Team King has decided to revive Maho and her Tiger I. Even Maho who got revived was in shock of what just happened)
"Team King has decided to use their perk to revive Nishizumi Maho's Tank outside the castle! 10 revives will be used as per the perk conditions! Team King now has zero revives remaining!" shouted the staff member
"Why...me?" Maho asked
(She suddenly felt a chill behind her back and looked to see Darjeeling with a devious smile. It was like the last piece of the puzzle she was waiting for had finally appeared in the chess board)
"Do you know this saying Maho-san?" Darjeeling asked
"..."
"One bad move nullifies forty good ones."
"Bernhard...Horwitz.."
"Correct.." Darjeeling said with a smile while raising their perk card
"Don't tell me you were planning that from the beginning!?" Maho said
"Team Queen would like to activate our perk 'Steal' please.."
(The Steal Perk's meaning and Pro's and Con's showed up on the screen announcement and seen by everyone. All were shocked at this timing of perk activation)
[Steal Perk]
Pros: Can steal 2 tanks from the enemy team.
Cons: Will replace 2 tanks from your own team in exchange for the stolen tanks. The tanks replaced will now be unable to return to the field.
"And we choose to steal..Miho and Maho Nishizumi's Tanks in exchange for 2 of our shermans"
(The whole audience and tankers that saw the screen was shocked and all were awe struck by this decision by Team Queen. But the one that took damage the most was Erika who made the decision to use the revive on Maho)
"We will be seeing you back here in 1 hour..Maho-san.." Darjeeling said
"You did that on purpose..you waited for Erika to waste the revives on me..to psychologically attack her!" Maho said
"All is fair in love and war Maho-san"
"Please excuse me I have to go get my sister.." Maho said
"This is the perfect opportunity don't you think Maho-san?"
"..." Maho just listened not looking at Darjeeling
"If Erika pulls through with this test then you can now leave Kuromorimine's future safely in her hands.." Darjeeling said
(Maho said nothing and headed back to the castle escorted by the staff at her request)
"Darjeeling-sama, was that a great idea to use the perk that way?" Orange Pekoe asked
"It was the only way to use that perk..we could only steal two tanks in exchange for our own tanks. It was the best choice that made the most damage to their commander.."
"What do you mean by that Darjeeling?" Katyusha asked
"Their commander now, Itsumi-san has relied everything on Maho-san's decisions.." Darjeeling said as she sipped tea
"That's right! Next year Maho will be going to her desired university and Kuromorimine will have decide for a new commander that can take her place" Kay said
"Exactly..for Kuromorimine to survive in the following years to come..Itsumi-san must overcome this trial of not having Maho-san by her side to guide her.." Darjeeling said
"If you ask me you shouldn't have wasted our perk for that reason..let the other schools find their solutions to their own problems..you could've stolen the Maus.." Kal said
"You really are a fool..who do you think will take over Pravda when you sister and Nonna-san graduates? Have you ever thought about that?" Darjeeling said
"T-That's.." Kal was unable to answer
"This doesn't only apply to Kuromorimine..but to everyone here right now! All of us here will be graduating sooner or later..and all of us have to secure the future of our school's Senshado.."
(Everyone can't deny the words that Darjeeling had said. Majority of the commanders of the current power house schools will be graduating. They have to make sure that their current and soon to be Senshado members will have a bright future)
[Team King - Castle Area]
"F-Forgive me Maho-san..I-I made a terrible mistake that cost us the win.." Erika said
"It's not a mistake..you were thinking what's best for the team..the other team just had a good perk that's all" Maho said
"Onee-chan is right Itsumi-san..don't worry about it.."
"No it wasn't..it was a selfish move and we will now pay the price for it.."
"Erika.."
(Maho saw how Erika was so crushed bot strategically and psychologically. Erika was starting to doubt herself again and started tearing up. Everyone was starting to get demoralized seeing their commander in that state)
"ITSUMI-SAN!"
(A loud voice shouted from the castle walls that got everyone's attention. Everyone looked and they saw Gero standing on his White Tiger)
"Bakatora…"
"DID YOU REGRET REVIVING MAHO-SAN?!" Gero shouted once more
"No..I don't.."
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU! SHOUT IT OUT ITSUMI ERIKA!"
(Erika suddenly inhaled deeply and shouted with all her lungs)
"I DON'T REGRET IT! NOT ONE BIT! TO ME MAHO-SAN IS WORTH MORE THAN 10! NO 1000 TANKS!" Erika shouted
(The castle walls echoed with the voice of their commander that was honest with her decision in front of all her comrades. On top of the white tiger Gero gave a smile to Erika and said..)
"You heard her ladies..our kommandant thought of us instead of thinking about the win..what do you say about that?"
(The spirit of every girl remaining was raised and they started to cheer for Erika)
"Kommandant! I believe you made the right decision!" Noriko said
"That's right! it's not your fault! Maho-san is worth more than a win!" said the Maus commander
"We might have a low chance of winning but we will give them hell before they take this castle!" Sodoko shouted
"Please give us your orders Kommandant!" Anzu said
"Kommandant!"
(Erika started to get teary eyed as she saw that she wasn't alone. She now had comrades that trusted her and believes in her. Erika's expression changed and felt power within her)
"You see Itsumi-san..they will follow you to the end..you are the strongest and most talented commander that I know..I wouldn't follow anyone else.." Gero said with a smile
"Thank you..Gero.." Erika said quietly with a blush
(Miho and Maho heard Erika calling Gero by his name even if it was a whisper. Maho was now confident that Kuromorimine is secured in the hands of Erika)
"Listen up! In 1 hour they will be breaking though in the castle by force. We won't be able to stop them. So we will hold up inside and lay a trap for them using the Maus..understood?!"
"JAWOHL!" they all saluted
(Everyone mounted their tanks and started to get into position to prepare an ambush as Erika ordered)
"Maho-san, Miho-san, I'll be looking forward to fighting you."
"Us too Erika..let's give it our all" Maho said
"Yes!" Erika said then returned to her tank
"Maho-san! Miho! You leaving now?"
"Gero! Nice smooth talking you did there!" Miho said
"Come on Miho..call it words of encouragement!"
"Gero-kun…"
"Yes Maho-san?"
"Please take care of Erika.."
"I will..now and forever.." Gero said with a smile
(Miho and Maho smiled as they see their brother become a very reliable person that can move the hearts of others and take care of the person he cherishes)
Coming Up Next : Chapter 18 - Family Duel
Author's Note:Hey guys! Hope you liked this chapter! So many mind games happening! Both teams outsmarting each other!Shout out to: "Z41968" thank you for the follow!
As for the reply to the comments I posted my reply in the reviews section as well for you guys to read! Thank you for the reviews hope to hear from you guys again!
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