Chapter 11
August slouched over the cupola of his tank, an M5 Stuart, and groaned, seeing nothing but the flower infested hills and fields that surrounded Homedale. After the fight some weeks ago the flowers and grass started to bloom and grow again and remake the natural landscape into its previous artistic beauty once again. The passed several days had been boring, every time he went on patrol around Homedale he saw nothing besides the countryside. No tanks from the Federation, no tanks from the Japanese High schoolers, not even tanks from their own allies. Fighting around Homedale had ceased to exist.
No word on anything or anyone, and August knew Moose didn't want to risk sending someone far enough away to check on things island wide. The last piece of information they heard came from Rivers, but it was just anger filled ramblings of this and that about Saunders. He's been running his team ragged to bring them to heel, but it doesn't seem like the Montana boys are complaining. In fact their more behind Rivers then anyone would think. Their love for Tankery boosting their desire to beat the Japanese girls and show them that this sport isn't something they can take away.
That was another thing August knew that the boys of the other schools all seem to be continuously focused on a hard-set campaign to victory. No one was interested in peace or even negotiations. Not even the Japanese High schools.
August sighed before he ducked back into his seat inside the tank, he took his foot and tapped his driver, a young boy named Daven, in the right shoulder twice. A signal to start moving to the right. The young driver started up the Stuart and turned the vehicle around to head back to Homedale.
Homedale itself had, ironically, become a little more like home. People were going about their business, cooking, cleaning, maintenance on the tanks, and actually talking with the Japanese girls they captured some weeks ago. They were an interesting sort as August found out, confused about being on the island but knowing they get to play Sensha Do for a year, but now questioning the whole affair in its entirety. He talked with the commander of Chi-Ha Tan academy, Nishi, and found himself also questioning the wargame. Why was it set up this way? And why weren't they aloud to call their families back home? Those were just some questions August found himself asking.
Homedale grew into a little home away from home and from that came some peace and quiet. As Daven drove the M5 through town August rose out of the cupola to observe his surroundings. Many of the guys from Washington were working on their tanks or working on other projects, the girls from Anzio had volunteered to work in the kitchens and August would fight to keep them there. No, he wasn't thinking anything sexist, their cooking was just so good that he could never imagine himself eating anything else ever again. Ezio and some his team, as well as some girls from Anzio and one or two from the other two girls schools, were over by the plaza currently in worship. Many of the boys from Los Angeles were followers of the Christian faith and it seemed some of the Japanese girls were to. August didn't care for any of that, never believing in some all powerful being in the sky capable of miracles, but he had no qualms with those who did. His own team were mostly on patrol today so not many of them were around right now, and lastly Chi-Ha Tan and the French themed school, B.C. Freedom, were staying around their respected bunk houses glaring at each other. Word was that Marie, B.C.'s commander, used Chi-Ha Tan as bait in the fight and the traditional girls have been holding that grudge since.
Coming up to the area where South Texas parks their tank August tapped his foot onto Daven's center back three times telling him to stop. The boy stopped the tank and shut it off letting the crew get out and clock off for the day.
"Good job boys, another dull and uneventful patrol. Go get some food." August said to his loader and gunner who nodded and went off while he turned to Daven and signed with his hands. "good job buddy, go get some food if you want."
Daven smiled and nodded before walking off towards the kitchens happy to enjoy Anzio's cooking. August sighed, not wanting to leave the young deaf boy alone but he needed to report to Moose, and he wished that Daven would meet some new friends. This life was hard for the deaf boy, not being able to hear, or talk to people normally made it difficult for him to make friends, but he did see some of the Chi-Ha Tan girls writing questions and talking to him when they learned he was deaf, and that thought made August smile again.
August found Moose in the command center, which was the town hall, and relayed his report. Nothing out of the ordinary, just another boring patrol.
"I've received no word on anything else from anyone. Not Rivers, Edward, not even Johnathon or Colonel Abernathy. All I know is that the fighting has gotten worse." Moose said.
"Gosh, this whole thing is wild. Why haven't they contacted us, don't they know we're just sitting here?" August asked.
"I don't know. Nobody answers my radio when I try to call them. I don't like this one bit." Moose said.
"You thinking some outside interference?" August asked.
"It's always possible, though I hope not." Moose said before thinking about something that happened some years ago. "You remember the last time someone used radio jamming tech in a Tankery match?"
"Yeah, it was that Florida school led by Commander Cain, the scourge of Tankery. They used radio jamming to surround and ambush several schools in matches." August said.
"Until it was good old Uncle Sam who beat them at their own game, point is Cain, and his team, didn't get chewed out or anything, and radio jamming is still a legal means of sabotage by Association standards. Maybe someone is doing that to us." Moose said. August was going to respond but a commotion out side distracted the two as Arthur, one of Moose's tank commanders, came running in.
"Moose, two people just came from Hoja City!" Arthur said shocking the two Commanders.
"Who!?" Moose asked.
"Some guy from Virginia and one of the girls from St. Gloriana." Arthur said before heading back outside, Moose and August right behind him.
Moose saw the two sitting down on some chairs with a large number from all the schools present gathering around them. He did a double take at the sight of the two, worn, ragged, dirty, and tired. The two seemed to be so exhausted that they leaned on each other for support. Moose came up kneeled before them before he asked his questions.
"What are your names?" He said.
"I'm Andrew from Virginia, and this is Rukuriri from St. Gloriana." The boy said. Moose looked at him and could see the exhaustion in his eyes and when he turned to the girl he saw the same thing plus a hint of unease.
"Whats happening in Hoja City Andrew?" Moose asked.
"War." The word sparked confusion amongst those present. "There was an incident. One of our guys got shot by a stray bullet during a fight, he's ok don't worry, but Davis believed it was intentional and has been ripping the city apart to get to Commander Darjeeling and make her pay. He's gone mad, we couldn't take it anymore, the fighting, little rest, the anger, and paranoia, we just couldn't stay in that city any longer." Andrew said as Rukuriri nestled her head into his neck.
Moose put two and two together and knew they weren't telling him the whole truth, at least not verbally, and he understood why. This was a whole new ball game and he needed more information before he went out and played.
"Andrew and Rukuriri, you two are most welcome here, we'll get you rooms and some food, and then you two can sleep till your hearts content." Moose said to the grateful pair. He stood motioned to Anchovy who nodded and started asking the pair what they would like to eat, and he turned back to August. "We need more information, things are only going to get worse."
A/N: Hello everyone, so I need to go on a writing break due to work purposes. I apologize but I will no be posting new chapters for a while. I will try to find time to write more and have them ready for when I get back. Thank you for your understanding, support, and for reading Girls und Panzer Tankery's End Alternative.