Chapter 4

The turnout was amazing. Eleven Schools showed up agreeing to enter the Match against the Americans. All the major schools were there. St. Gloriana, Saunders, Kuromorimine, Pravda and Ooarai were there. Several minor schools like Chi-Ha-Tan, Anzio, Count, BC Freedom and Maple were there. Even the University team lead by Alice Shimada was there. Of course, Chiyo Shimada would want her team to keep Sensha Do Sacred.

All schools sat in front of a large screen standing behind a platform. On said platform was the Sensha Do Federation Directors. All four of them. Shichiro looked troubled but Shiho Nishizumi and Chiyo Shimada looked very satisfied at the number of girls in front of them. Ami Chono had a neutral expression on her face awaiting the start. However, that dastard Renta Tsuji was sitting upon the stage as well. It brought a sickening feeling to Miho's stomach.

Shiho stood from her seat and walked over to the microphone. "Thank you all for presenting yourselves today. I'm sure you all know why you're here but as to the reason so many schools for a single match have arrived might be confusing." Shiho said.

She clicked a button on a remote and the screen behind her flickered to life with a symbol on it. The symbol was a man standing on a tank with an American flag in hand. This was the symbol for the American Tankery Association.

"Yes, The Sensha Do Federation has scheduled a match with the American Tankery Association. However, the reason for this match was not really given out but some of you have dug a little deeper. Yes, we are pushing for this match to dismantle the American Tankery Association and all the activities of Sensha Do in America permanently." Shiho said.

Miho looked around. Some of the girls like Nishi from Chi-Ha-Tan looked confused while those from Kuromorimine and Pravda looked on knowingly. Miho was no exception. She knew why this match was being ruled around like this.

"The very core of Sensha Do is to give a young woman a sense of Individuality and Maturity in one's life. Sensha Do itself is very feminine and beautiful. And the mere fact that boys are aloud to participate in a 'mod' version of our beloved sport is an insult itself." Shiho said.

This got the girls from the more traditional school amped up. They began to shout agrees with Miho's mother.

"Now that the why has been established I will turn the stand over to Ms. Shimada for instructions on your trip." Shiho said. This confused the girls. They never heard of a trip.

"Hello girls. Yes, this War Game has been decided to be played on a very desolate island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Its around one hundred and twenty square miles and has some rural towns and one major city on it. This island is called Tomodachi Isle. Or Friend Island in America. The island was chosen for its historically significant. The island was governed by both Japan and America during the war and the Island inhabitants refused to partake in it due to their relations with each other. This island has cultures of both countries and has the respect of both as well. Now it is important to know this trip, as well as the Match itself, will take one whole year." Chiyo said.

All girls were shocked. "We have talked with MEXT to give you all the year for the game. It is rather complicated on the matter of education, but we will have that worked out before the match ends. Now I will give the stand over to Ms. Chono." Chiyo said leaving and sitting down.

Ami Chono now stood on the podium. "Alright, now for strategy. Your team will be known as the Federation Team. You will be designated by your school as one of the team's units. While the Americans are going as the Association Team. You girls will start in control of the town Mishima, while the Americans will start in the town of Glendale. Now the match itself is neither Flag Tank nor Annihilation. It is an American mode called Battlefront. Allow me to explain.

"Now Battlefront should give some of it away. The team that controls the most Capture Points by the end period or the team who conquers the opposing headquarters, will win the match. Now CPs are point related. Six towns in the more center of the island are worth one point each. However, the main city of the island Hoja, is worth three points. However, it is large and needs multiple defenses. Now be wary, there are indigenous wildlife on the island. Mainly wolfs, bears and dear. Their numbers are low, but an encounter is possible. You will all be given a wildlife pamphlet upon arrival to the island. I suggest you read it and study up. We do not want to hurt any of the wildlife. Now I know that Boys partaking in Sensha Do is not normal for you but please be civil about face to face encounters.

"Another thing. While the Americans suggested the location and match type, the Sensha Do Federation suggested the rules. All rules involving tank specifics and modifications are the same as agreed by both parties. Now, each team can recover an inoperable tank and fix it to operable status again should they desire. No team is limited on the number of tanks that can be used. You may bring all if you wish but each team gets only one supply plane each month, so know what you can care for. Each team can take prisoners of the opposing team. However specific rules must be followed. The 'captives' must be fed and cared for, should each team want they can put the 'captives' to work, fixing up fortifications or help with maintenance. Lastly, anything goes in the way of keeping opposing tanks inoperable. Now the team with the most points allotted at the end will win. And finally, as a Sensha Do Federation bonus, which ever schools participants defeat the most opposing tanks and capture the most Capture Points will be rewarded a prize."

Now that was something to get the girls hyped up.

"Some more things. The several village's and towns that have not been marked as CPs are still controllable and each will have its own benefits. Now after the two months mark each side will be presented with reinforcements. If after the two months you feel like you want to leave the match you may. You will be replaced with a MEXT/Federation Joint Corporation Team instead. However, you must stay on the island for the first two months as per rules set by the Federation.

The same applies to the Americans. Now that is all. You leave for the island in one week. Should any school or individual tank crew wish to withstand from the match that is fine, we will not force you. Return here in one week with all necessities written down in the Pamphlet you were given upon arrival. Oh, one last important thing. There will be no referee's or teachers or officials on the island anytime during the match. We will also be prevented from giving any advice. You must gather all the intelligence you need. We will only touch the island when we deliver supplies every month. And remember, Anything Legal is allowed. Dismissed."

All the students rose from their seats and began conversating. All looked extremely confident and anxious for the match now. Miho however was conflicted. A whole year on an island in a live Sensha Do match that determined the usage of a very favored sport in one country. After hearing it aloud Miho began seeing things a little differently. She wasn't for the idea boys doing Sensha Do, but she wasn't for completely shutting it down in America either. Girls did to American Tankery and from what Miho knew they enjoyed it.

"What do you think Miporin?" Saori Asked.

"Oh, I guess we should prepare. If you all are ok with going that is?" Miho asked.

"I'm going. This is going to be awesome." Yukari cheered.

"No school for a year. Sign me up." Mako said.

"I can't imagine spending a year away from you all anyway." Hana said.

"Five for five. Angler team is going to war!" Saori cheered.

Miho laughed. Though it was silly it was true. This was more of a war rather then a friendly match. Plus, from what Miho saw during the presentation every school present would still participate in the Game. It was going to be a long Match.

Over in America things were not as cheery. Mainly due to the fact that the American Schools were already preparing strategies and getting their tanks ready. Ten American high schools would be partaking in this Match. Though they knew not how many numbers the Japanese had, they were confident.

Uncle Sam High School, Montana Tankery Academy, George Washington Boys Academy, South Texas High School, Virginia Academy of Arts, Wellington High School, Saint Peters Boys High School, Edison High School, Los Angeles High School of Tankery History, and Lincoln Memorial High School were the schools who showed up. These ten schools were ten of the twelve most passionate American Schools that practiced Tankery. The other two were Betsy Ross Girls Academy, and the Tankery Professional Institute. The other schools were more adamant on changing their school schedules for the match but send their most serious wishes of luck.

Austin and Mark finished the adjustments on the Tiger 1's turret. They specked the tank to every modification they could without jeopardizing the weight and composition of the tank's controls and specifications. To their left was Nikoli and Charlie Bubs, also known as Chubbs, finishing the reworks on the Panzer 38's driving mechanics. Chubbs was the driver for the Panzer 38 and Nikoli was the Gunner. Nikoli was originally from Russia but moved to America for family. Chubbs was considerably overweight but the sweat he disperses inside the tank helped him lose a few pounds of fat. The Panzer 38's tank commander was Peter, who also acted as the loader. He was from England but moved over seas to get away from family. The exact opposite of Nikoli in all aspects. Nikoli was loud and stubborn whereas Peter was Quiet and flexible. Though the two argued they became fast friends.

"Guys! I got the list of the Hellcat!" William said running over.

"Great. Oy, Panzer crew over here!" Mark shouted getting the attention of the other three.

"Whats up?" Peter asked.

"Will's got the specs for Edwards Hellcat." Austin said.

"Alright lay it on us Will." Nikoli said.

"The Hellcat had been cleared after evaluating the most recent of upgrades. The shirt defense, 90mm turret, modded Continental r-975-C1 Engine and smoke dispersal and higher velocity rounds that have added weight for slower movement for match specifications. Plus adding the new closed top modification, the tank no longer can be classified as an open top tank. The Hellcat's good to go!" William said.

"Yes! With Ed's Hellcat out there we'll be unstoppable." Mark said.

"Calm down Mark, don't forget we have the Abrams to." Hans arrived saying.

"Da, the one we took out." Nikoli said high fiving Mark.

"Alright well remember what to expect. Anything goes in the way of immobilizing tanks and captives are to be treated fairly, I'm looking at you Mark." Hans said.

"I may be a playboy, but I respect women guys, come on." Mark defended himself.

"Also. We're fighting to protect our right to Partake in Tankery. This is the unanimous decision we all agreed on when we arrived." Hans said.

This got everyone serious. The Sensha Do federation, Specifically the women, were trying to ban Americans from doing anything Tankery, or Sensha Do, to them. Simply because the boys enjoyed it.

"not without a fight" Peter said. Peter wanted to learn leadership and what better way then to lead men into battle

"DA! No coy women will stop me from doing Tankery." Nikoli said. Nikoli loved to blow things up but he loved seeing his friends smile and laugh more.

"I love driving the Panzer. I will not let it go." Chubbs said. Tankery was the only sport Chubbs could physically do. It was a very motivating thing for him.

"I skipped a grade because of my smarts and always got bullied because of it. But you guys are my friends. I won't let our school's Tankery team die." William said.

"I still have to perfect my ten-hundred-yard snipe shot. No way can I do that anywhere else." Mark hoped to Gunner for the Army one day. He was rearing for that chance.

"I learned to drive in a tank, and I will not cease that, not one bit." Austin said. Yes, driving was Austin's thing and he learned in the Tiger 1.

"Alright then. We'll save our sport and we'll show those girls how a man runs a tank. Hans said.

"Eye!" Cheered the group. They would go to war for the sport they love. And they will win. Or no one would.