Chapter 28
Laughter was the prominent attribute around the camp, from jokes, songs, soft drinks, or even funny stories. The team comprising of Half of Uncle Sam's and Pravda's crews, along with the whole of Ooarai, hadn't much of a care In the world. For some time they had been tracking down Alice and the University team. Miho, who has overall command of the squad, wanted to at least talk with Alice. They hadn't been friends for long, but the adoration was there. The two had some connection that most would seem as sisterly like. Especially with their shared love for the Boko Bear.
Said commander was sitting by a campfire, cup of coffee next to her, and a map in hand. Said map had red X's on several different areas signaling to Miho that Alice was in none of those areas. Alongside her camp fire were her tank crew, Katyusha, Nonna, Klara, and Hans who led his Uncle Sam contingent.
"We could try the west, but that is dangerously close to Federation territory. The North is also good, but the heaviest of fighting has been up there. We've combed the south and the east is controlled by the Association, so they would've found anything first. I'm completely stumped." Miho said.
"There's nothing to be shamed about Miho, just means you've still got room to grow." Hans said.
"I don't really think I can grow anymore though. I've used every sense of planning I have to find them, and I haven't a clue." Miho said. She was as gloomy as she always gets when these situations arise.
"Come on Mihosha, you've found a way to defeat me! That's impressive in of itself." Katyusha said. Miho cracked a smile and giggled. She was right. Miho had come up with brazen ideas and strategies before, she could do it again.
"Plus you've got us now. If you need anything my guys will give one-hundred percent." Hans said. Miho continued her smile and nodded her thanks. Hans was right to. She always used to be finicky when discovering things or creating strategy that she forgets that she's not alone. She has her friends to help her.
"I'd say that having the boys around is a huge plus. Things have really livened up since we joined forces." Saori said gleefully.
"You saying that wouldn't happen to be connected to your new fondness for Charlie would it?" Mako deadpanned. Saori turned to her long-time friend with a blush on her cheeks and squealed.
"Mako!" She yelled. Miho laughed and began thinking about the new friends they had found in the Americans. When they first started this game they were all enemies, and now they cheered, ate, and even fought together. Plus the amount of romantic relationships that had popped up was staggering. Of course there were still people who hadn't come completely clean yet, Miho glanced at a certain someone while thinking that, but she believed it was all in due time. But that thinking also grew some jealousy in her. many of her friends had found someone they could happily call their loved one and Miho herself hadn't found someone like that yet. Of course she was still optimistic, but this thought weighted on her sometimes. Even though she wouldn't say it Miho knows for a fact that Maho has some interest in Edward.
"I do have to agree though, the boys have given us quite a new perspective on things." Hana said.
"Its amazing how well we've all gotten along. I honesty would have thought that the things the boys do would have been silly and stupid." Yukari said.
"Well the silly part is somewhat correct." Nonna said as she motioned towards another camp fire. There Mark and Austin were standing with sticks in their hands acting like they were swords. Both boys had swirled them in their hands and gripped the bottom and held their fists down by their pelvis. Mark was glaring at Austin while Austin was giving off a toothy grin.
"You have the power? And I see your Schwartz is as big as mine." Mark said, then both boys looked down at the sticks before making eye contact again. "Now let's see how well you, 'Handle', it."
Both boys then charged at each other and began a silly show of, probably, the most pathetic sword fight anyone has ever seen. The other guys next to the fire were laughing their tails off along with some of the girls, particularly the first years of Ooarai, while the rest simply shook their heads in both confusion and laughter.
Miho and the girls at her fire simple shook their heads while Hans called them idiots under his breath. However Nonna kept her gaze for a while longer smiling at the sight before them. Miho could tell what she was thinking and about who. It was no secret of Nonna's infatuation for the man who saved her life. Plus with how she reacted to him getting whipped that day was a clear message it there ever was one. But that thinking again filled Miho with jealousy. It also had aroused a lingering question inside her mind. When will she find love?
"I know my boys can come off as idiots, but I believe that they've proved themselves over the months." Hans said.
"I agree. They're disciplined and strongheaded. Not to mention stubborn, admirable traits for a situation such as ours." Hana said.
"Plus their way of Tankery and the way they calibrate their tanks has been quite a boon in of itself." Katyusha said. "I think that, had the situation on top of the mountain hadn't happened, we'd have been pushed back by now."
"You think that was a possibility?" Yukari asked.
Katyusha nodded. "Yes, with their backs against a wall a cornered animal will lash out. Not that I'm calling the Americans animals, its just a fitting description of what I think would have happened." Katyusha had a point. What would've happened had Nonna and Austin not fallen down the mountain? If they hadn't met then most of the Girls wouldn't have thought of aiding In the breakout of the stockade and switched sides. Could the War Game had gone differently? How could it not.
Over at the other camp fire Mark and Austin had had enough of their little show and had sat down again. They were conversing with Peter and his crew, Adam and his crew, Ooarai's M3 Lee crew, and the Type 89 crew. A ragtag bunch if there ever was one.
"Not that the sport isn't cool or anything I just see the excitement. That's why I play soccer. Having a game that is in constant motion is way cooler." Adam's driver Nicholas said.
"Plus there's more coordination with your teammates, at least I believe that." Grant, the loader, said.
"Volleyball is just as constant and coordinated as soccer is. Its not all just tossing a ball in the air. If anything you could say soccer is just kicking around a ball back and forth." Shinobu said.
"But that's exactly what soccer is." Kyle, the Abrams gunner, said.
"We're not trying to dis your sport we just don't under stand the hype behind it." Akebi said.
"That's fine. Let's just agree to say that we don't understand each other's sport, but we won't disregard it." Grant said.
"I'm sure were fine with that." Taeko said.
"Finally you're done arguing. Cant we do something else now?" Aya asked.
"Yeah, what about we sing or something." Ayumi said.
"But we don't know how to." Yuuki said.
"Adam can." The girls looked over at Noriko who pointed to the Abrams leader. "He can sing very well."
"Yeah that's true. Dude used to sing in the shower after practice freshman year." Mark said.
"Dude! You said you wouldn't tell anyone!" Adam yelled.
"Sing! Sing!" The first years started chanting.
"Their not going to stop until you say yes." Noriko said. Adam realized that there was no way he was getting out of this alive. So he folded.
"Alright fine. Mark you got your keyboard?" Adam asked. To which said man pulled it out from behind him.
"What do you want me to play? Any suggestions?" Mark asked. The answers came in droves. Fallin' by Alicia Keyes, Shape of you by Ed Sheeran, Songs by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, even the Beatles got requested.
"Through the Fire and the Flames by Dragon Force!" the collective of voices just stopped and looked at Austin, who had shouted out that last one. He just sat there with a smug grin.
"There isn't any way I'm singing that. I don't even think Mark can play that one." Adam said. Mark just shrugged. He'd be up for the challenge.
"What about Lee Greenwood. You would sing his song all the time." William said. The rest of the Uncle Sam guys nodded in agreement with that. The song in mind was a particularly good one.
Adam nodded and motioned for Mark to begin. The music started and even most groups around the fires stopped to listen in on what was going on.
"If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life. And I had to start again with just my children and my wife." Adam started to sing, his voice was amazing. It sounded like his voice came from the clouds.
"I thank my lucky stars to be living her today. Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away." Most of the girls wouldn't know this song but speculated, by the lyrics being sung, that it was a song for the boys home country.
"And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today, cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A." It was definitely an American song.
"From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea. From Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A. where's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say." By this time many of the others had arrived to listen to Mark play and Adam sing. It brought back fond memories, especially of that funny dance competition back on the Fourth of July. Miho's crew joined by sitting next to Peters crew, the other Ooarai and Pravda teams made their way over, Klara squatted next to Nikoli and Nonna sat besides Austin. The small campfire was now surrounded by most of the team when Adam continued.
"That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today, cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A." for the American guys this song lifted their spirits for the coming tide. The Federation, that vile woman Akari, and even maybe the Japanese as a whole would be coming for them. they knew they had to fight, but they hoped it would at least be besides their new allies made on this island. For the Japanese girls, this song gave them some insight into American culture. The lyrics being sung by Adam tipped them off to their behaviors and even things they had already seen for themselves. For some they saw how proud the boys were of being American. For some they saw how happy the boys were with the freedom to make choices for themselves. Sadly, there were still places in the world where that wasn't a thing. Japan included if you get involved with Sensha Do. Nonna knew that the Americans would fight and if need be die for their beliefs. Austin's own brother died while in the American Military and even then their fight is raging onward, with the threat to American way of life. it is even happening right now on this island with the original threat to their sport, now cast off to them personally by Akari. That thought scared Nonna, and most of the girls still.
"That I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, and I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today, cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A." Adam finished. The crowd simply stayed silent and Hans, who came closer himself, raised a drink in his hand and spoke.
"To the fallen who have died for America." He said
"To the fallen." A collection of the boys rang out and those who had drinks in hand drank.
"Alright ladies and gents, it late and we have work to do tomorrow. Time for bed. Boys on the right side of the camp and girls on the left. You know the drill." Hans said. The large group dispersed and began heading towards their respective sleeping grounds. Some of the ones who had a lover around were saying goodnight before departing.
"Good night Charlie, sleep well." Saori said fluttering herself at Chubbs.
"Good night Saori, see you in the morning." Chubbs said. As Austin was reaching his sleeping bag a hand tapped his shoulder causing him to turn and see Nonna standing behind him.
"Hey Nonna, need something?" Austin asked.
"If possible, tomorrow, can we talk about something?" Nonna asked.
"Yeah, of course." Austin said. Nonna smiled and gave him a hug before saying their goodnights and heading off to bed. For Austin he was curious about what Nonna wanted to talk about. For Nonna she was anxious about telling him what she wanted to say. It could go good or bad and either way tomorrow was going to be eventful.