Chapter 5
The day finally arrived. Miho walked down the ramp of the Cruiser that brought her and the rest of the schoolgirls to the island. The tanks themselves would be arriving the next day with Federation transport ship. The Sensha Do Directors thought it would be easier to load all the tanks being taken onto one carrier and to bring the students on a cruiser, then allowing the school ships to arrive and possibly make an issue due to their size. Miho walked with her team and went to their designated quarters. It was a hotel room where their stuff would be stored.
Now the only places on the island off limits during the game were the two towns that the ships would be docking, as they were a vital place for drop offs and pick ups for safe supplies, and the peak of the mountain on the island. Its peak was well above safety limits in terms of oxygen levels.
"Miporin, what bed do you want?" Saori asked.
"I'm fine with which ever. You go ahead and choose." Miho said.
Saori dropped her stuff, consisting of a backpack, a suitcase, and a carry on. "Heavy stuff I'll tell ya." She said.
"That's because you had to bring so much. I brought only the essentials." Yukari said opening her bag to show all her military camp gear, and extra clothing.
Mako placed her bag on a bed and fell face first on it. "Good Night" She said.
"It's only one-thirty." Hana said choosing the next bed.
Miho smiled and walked to the last remaining bed in the room. She sat down and stretched. "As fun as the trip was, I'm with Mako. I'm exhausted." She said.
"The tanks arrive tomorrow, and we choose our five Team Commanders as well. Then on Friday they will go and meet the Five Commanders of the Americans. After that one day to prepare any last thing then the match starts." Hana said.
"Wow. A whole year Sensha Do match. This is a first ever." Yukari said excitedly.
"Let's hope it's not the last." Saori said.
"Well, I for one choose to take a nap." Mako said muffled by the pillow her face lay on.
"I agree. Though the rest of the Schools commanders have already agreed to make our five leaders today. So, I have that then the rest to relax." Miho said.
"So you're going when?" Saori asked.
"In a few minutes actually. We wanted to get it done so we could have maximum time to get the tanks in order." Miho said.
"Alright. We'll get you things squared away if you want to go now." Hana said.
"Thanks, I'll see you girls later." Miho said. She left the room and went downstairs. Most girls had already signed in and went to their respective rooms. Some lingered in the lobby and others outside. Miho found an empty seat and sat down waiting for the rest of the Commanders to show.
While waiting Miho began thinking of the match. It was one of a kind. A large-scale match where the island inhabitants were escorted away and would be compensated for the use of their homes. Yes, the entire population of the island, around 2 million people left their homes for this match to have a place to happen. It would cost a lot of money, but both Federation and Association funds would not be too far stretch.
Tomorrow when the tanks arrived the girls would need to drive them to Mishima to get situated. It was a two-hour drive but the whole team would be doing that in the late afternoon. Then the meeting with the five American commanders and then one last free day. Miho planed her time before the match wisely but could only think of other things to prepare for the match started. It was nerve racking.
"Well if it isn't the Mihosha." A voice said.
Miho turned around and say Katusha, Nonna, and Klara standing a few feet away.
"Oh, Hello Katusha, I didn't know you were there. Hi Nonna, Hi Klara." Miho said.
"Hello Miho." Nonna said.
"Zdravstvuyte." Klara said. Miho knew enough to know that meant hello.
"I see you are waiting for our little meeting, are you!?" Katusha asked and stated.
"Yes, waiting for the others to." Miho said.
"That shouldn't take long. The others are finishing their check ins and should join us momentarily." Katusha said.
"Then you finished already?" Miho asked.
"Of course, Katusha is the fastest unpacker on this whole island." Katusha said.
"Even though you just threw your suitcase on the bed and wanted to leave." Nonna said.
"Shut Up." Katusha said back.
Miho and Klara laughed.
"Yo, Whats so funny?" Kay's voice rang. Miho saw she was with Alisa and Naomi.
"Nothing is funny." Katusha stated.
"If you say so shrimp. Whats up Miho?" Kay asked.
"I'm doing fine Kay. Hi Alisa, Naomi." Miho said.
"Good to see again Miho." Alisa said. Naomi just waved.
"So good to see everyone again. And on a more social matter." A sophisticated voice said. Miho saw Darjeeling, Pekoe, and Assam walking to them.
"Hello everyone." Darjeeling said.
"Whats up tea drinker?" Kay asked very enthusiastically.
"Good day Miho. Wait long?" Darjeeling asked.
"No, not really." Miho said.
"Guess we're the last of the majors to arrive huh?" Miho heard. Erika and Maho joined the talk and Miho hugged her sister.
"Hi Maho, Erika." Miho said.
"Hey Miho" Maho said.
"Hi." Erika said.
It took some more time, but the rest of the school's commanders showed up. After some good few minutes the talking concluded, and it was decided that the five Commanders would be from the major schools. Miho, Maho, Katusha, Kay, and Darjeeling would be the five Commanders of the Federation team. To which everyone found acceptable. Especially Katusha.
The next day the tanks arrived. Each school brought a total of around fifty tanks, minus those who had less like Ooarai and Anzio. Though the grand total came out to four-hundred and eighty tanks. All maintenance that was needed for a two-hour drive was done and after that lunch. Once lunch was finished the girls packed the bare essentials and stored them into the tanks and drove them all to Mishima. Once there the commanders distributed all grounds and garages equally to all schools and began the real work. The modifications and reworks of the tanks needed to be calibrated and all driving mechanics needed to be finalized. Especially easily broken-down tanks like the Porsche Tiger.
The next day work continued and while that happened the Federation Commanders and a plus one entered a helicopter and flew to the island capital. Hoja City. Its location was on the southern beaches and was the place considered to be the hardest to fully capture, hence the bigger reward in points.
The Helicopter landed on the outskirts of the city and onto the plains. The ten girls exited and waited for the arrival of the Americans. Miho brought Anzu with her since she was the President of Ooarai. Maho brought Erika, Katusha obviously brought Nonna, Darjeeling brought Pekoe, and Kay brought Alisa. These were the ones meeting the American Commanders.
After another minute another Helicopter was spotted flying in from the east. In touched down and Miho's stomach knotted up. She was nervous to meet the American commanders especially when she agreed that boys shouldn't do Sensha Do. The Americans exited and walked over to the ten girls. There were eight boys and two girls in the Americans side.
Miho looked over at Ms. Chono and then saw a man in a suit with the Americans. Miho knew Ms. Chono was acting as an interpreter for the girls as most didn't know English, so she guessed the man was there to translate Japanese for the Americans.
"Hello ladies. Pleasure to finally meet our opponents face to face." One said.
"I'm Jonathan, Commander of Edison High school." He said again.
"Names Rivers. Commander of Montana Tankery Academy." Rivers said.
"I'm Edward. Commander of Uncle Sam High School." The most American one said.
"Davis. Commander of Virginia Academy of Arts." Davis said.
"Jessica. Commander of Lincoln Memorial High School." One of the Girls said.
"Maho. Commander of Kuromorimine Girls Academy." Maho said.
"The Great Katusha. Commander of Pravda Girls High school." Katusha said.
"Sup, I'm Kay. Commander of Saunders University High School." Kay announced.
"Hello there, I'm Darjeeling. Commander of St. Gloriana Girls College." Darjeeling said.
"H-Hello I'm Miho. Commander of Ooarai Girls Academy." Miho said.
"Pleasure to meet you all" Jonathan said.
"My ass it is." Rivers said. The boy next to him elbowed his arm. But his words reached the girls ears and although some didn't understand him, they figured he said something crude.
"Was there a reason for this meet up or are we just staring at each other?" Edward asked no one in particular.
"I believe we are here to give formal greetings and began the match." Darjeeling said.
Ami Chono, who was with the girls in the Helicopter finally spoke. "Correct. I know the official start is in one day but here we can give formal agreement to start."
Erika glanced at some of the American men and frowned. She spoke to Maho in German. "Ich bin nicht sicher, ob diese Jungs der Aufgabe gewachsen sind, uns zu schlagen."
"Sie konnten Frau uberrascht sein." The boy next to Edward said.
Erika gasped and was shocked one of them spoke German. Both Maho and Miho were surprised to. German was a language class at Kuromorimine, and most girls took it as an elective.
"Settle down Hans." Edward said.
"No, no what did she say?" Rivers asked.
"She's unsure if we are capable of winning to put it plainly." Hans said.
"You think so huh girl? Just pray you don't meet me on the field I'll rip you a new ass hole!" Rivers yelled.
"Rivers shut it. Show some respect." Jonathan said.
"Settle down Erika." Maho said.
"I apologize." Erika said.
"Let's put this little fiasco behind us and start the match. It would be good to prepare ourselves for the coming onslaught." Jessica said.
Ms. Chono and the man spoke in their respective languages. "All student Bow/Salute"
All the Japanese girls put their feet together, placed hands by their sides, and bowed. "Let's have a good match!"
The Americans placed both feet twelve inches apart, put their left hand behind their backs, and saluted with their right arm. "Good luck to you all!"
Miho stood straight and saw their salute before the Americans relaxed. Ms. Chono and the American man talked before shaking each other's hands.
"Let's go girls. The match starts the day after tomorrow." Ms. Chono said.
Miho and the girls walked back to the helicopter and once all were fastened in the chopper took off. Once they arrived at Mishima, Miho went straight to her room and collapsed on the bed letting sleep take her for the next day would be all preparations for the match. She also prayed it would go by quick.