41 Azumi and... Blitzkrieg? (1/2)

The Saiju has thought that they have successfully defended their village, that they have everything to fend off the Prohorovka. They gained hope for their power, but the Prohorovka had yet to show its full color.

Tamie quickly returned to Saiju after helping the Kosuns to get rid of the enemies at their village. She had told everyone about Maeru's forces trying to bring the Kosuns to their side. Gentaro thanked the Kosun leader for staying strong and loyal to the Alliance. Takumi stopped the wall rebuild when she heard it from Gentaro himself. She volunteered to go back to the Prohorovka with Tamie to steal some defensive wall cubes. Everyone was confused when she said she would go back, Nagami asked her how is it possible, but Takumi responded with a wink.

”We will be quick, don't worry” She said before teleporting away, leaving everyone in confusion and the Saiju undefended. The Saijun army guards the undefended side of their village, while the tanks and the AT guns relocates to the northwest for a better view of the battlefield. Gentaro sent Chiho ahead to see what the Prohorovka is up to. Up in the skies, she used her Peacemaker to scope out Trupriv/Betty.

”Hmm...” Chiho observed their activities. The base is very active, a lot of gray-colored tanks are moving about. There were new uniforms she's seeing aside from the Prohorovka's usual black and red uniform. ”Are they new?” She whispered. There are grayish-green uniforms, then camouflaged with different patterns. Their helmets are also different from the Prohorovka. ”Those guys look different...” She whispered. She saw some with German officer clothing. They had officer caps instead of common soldier helmets and their uniform differs from the German infantries. ”Hmm...” She looked for other things, and she noticed the vehicles. ”Black cross...” She saw the gray tanks with the same symbol as the Stukas back then. ”Takumi was worried about them... Are they that dangerous?” Chiho started to consider the cross as a very dangerous symbol of a group or tribe. ”If Takumi was worried despite her own powers, then they are indeed dangerous...” She mutters as she scopes out the whole place. After a second, she saw a blonde girl and another girl with bright red hair that is somehow familiar to her. ”That person...!” She recognized the face and gasped. It was the person they met during their attack on Trupriv. ”She's back... No wonder the attack was scary...” She said. ”Like the others said, it's gonna be different when we got Mark down...” She added. ”But who was that child?” She focused on Himari. She was handling her troops while Nami watches her as she waits for hers.

Behind Chiho was Shu Fang, who was also looking at the scope with one eye. ”It's the first time in a while when I saw a blonde person on their side...” She said as she remembers Anne's hair. ”...Let's a-” ”WAAAH!!!” Shu Fang spoke and Chiho squeals and flies away to see who's behind her. The people at the ground looked up the skies as her screams reached the whole village. ”D-don't just appear behind me like that!!!” Chiho shouted. Shu Fang was very confused and her usual emotionless look bothered Chiho. ”...You didn't hear me flying?” She asked. ”I didn't! At least tap my shoulder or call me!” Chiho shouted. ”Hey, aren't they a bit too loud?” The BT-7 crew said. They were out of their tanks and are resting on the field. ”That Chiho is easily frightened...” Nagami giggled as Chiho kept scolding the poor assassin. In the end, Shu Fang couldn't say anything but apologize, and Chiho finally let it go with a sigh. ”By the way, what were you saying?” She asked as she continued to scope the place. ”...You were worried about the black cross enemies, right? Let's ask Nagami-san about them...” Shu Fang responded. ”That will be good...” Chiho said as she finishes scanning the place.

”They are just below us, see?” Chiho pointed below to their left. ”...Yeah, I saw them already...” Shu Fang said. ”Yeah. Go ahead and ask them. I still need to report back to Gentaro-san...” Chiho said. Shu Fang nodded and Chiho flew back to Saiju. Shu Fang watches her disappear inside the village before flying down to the tanks. ”Oh, the Chinese assassin...” Kaho said as Shu Fang drops in front of them. ”...Chinese?” She looked at her, curious about the word. ”W-whatever...” Kaho looked away embarrassed. Shu Fang was left hanging. ”So, why did you came here for?” Nagami broke the awkwardness and asked her. ”...Ah. About the...” Shu Fang was going to sit beside Nagami and saw Mariko sitting on the back of the BT-7. They stared at each other. ”Sup...” Mariko greets her awkwardly. Without replying, Shu Fang sat beside Nagami. ”...About the black cross...” She asked. ”W-wait...” Nagami moves a little bit, Shu Fang was very close to her face. ”The black cross, right?” She asked. ”They called themselves 'Östliche Streitkräfte'. They are the second faction formed after the Red Mosin. They are doing an imitation of another country from our world, called Germany. Like the whole Prohorovka imitating a country called Russia. They call their troops 'Östkampferbündnis' or 'Östkampfer' for short. 'Östkampf' if you hate saying the last two letters like us, or just Jerries or Krauts if you really don't like them at all. These... Germans barely join a war like this, that's why we were surprised...” Nagami explained. ”Countries...” Mariko spoke. ”I think I remember you telling us about those countries...” She said.

”Yeah... Those Pak-40s came from them, we borrowed them” They all looked at the Pak-40s from their right, aimed ahead. ”Same goes for Takumi and Tamie's Stuka planes, you noticed how they look the same? but with different symbols?” Nagami asked. ”...Yeah” Shu Fang nodded. ”Their leader is named Himari Chinen, who had nicknamed herself 'Heidemarie' for the sake of matching their names to Germans. They are well-known for their, well, obviously their unique German military. They wear the same uniforms as the real Germans back in our world and use the same vehicles and equipment. They also speak German, which really bothered us...” Nagami shook her head. ”Even though sloppy, they tried their best to form up rank just as same as the real German military...” She said. ”This 'Heidemarie' has a superiority complex, making her very arrogant and often speaks and acts like she is above everyone else. She forces people to call her 'Führer'. It's a German word for 'Leader'. We're still not quite sure if these are all just an act for the sake of imitating the ruthless leader of Germany back then, or she's just really have that superior nature” Nagami explained. ”Yeah! She won't even hesitate to order her troops to aim their fucking weapons at us!” A female BT-7 crew shouted. ”We were threatened into gunpoint by them when we were transporting tanks!” She shouted. ”Yeah, assholes to the core” Nagami sighed. ”We never knew what their true powers since they were very neutral and independent. They barely gets into a battle, we only know two so far...” She said.

”As Takumi warned before, their bombs are very dangerous. We had no idea how they got the magics to infuse them with their bombs. We were also invading another world when they had their first campaign. Their Stukas dropped their bombs and it was very mini nuclear-ish” She said. ”Blue explosions, very fucking scary...” A male BT-7 crew said. ”Uhuh... Explosions are normally around orange and yellow, but if it's colored differently? There's something wrong” Nagami said. ”Then there are their three heaviest war vehicles. The King Tiger, The Maus, and The Ratte. The first two boasts the heaviest armor and deadly cannons, while the Ratte...” Nagami looked at her crew, then back to Shu Fang. ”The Ratte is the biggest tank that was ever developed during our war. Luckily, it was canceled, who knows what's actually gonna happen during those times when it got out to the field” She shrugged. ”The Germans called it 'Land Cruiser'. It's just too big to be considered just as a tank... Himari might deploy that Ratte here but don't be scared, we have powers” She giggled. ”Even if they placed magics in that big rat, we still can take it down. Also, I'm pretty sure Himari is intelligent on her own and wouldn't want to deploy their only Ratte to a world where there are enemy magic users” She said. ”How about the King and the... Mouse?” Mariko asked. ”Ah. Well, the Tiger and the Maus got the best armor there is for its era, it is bigger than most of the tanks you saw. No big deal, though. The Ratte is all that matters” Nagami replied.

Before they could continue their conversation, Chiho flew in and stood in front of them. ”Hey, Nagami-san. My father asked if they can use the abandoned tanks on the village” She asked, making Nagami perk up. ”Ah yes! The tanks!” She stood up and cleans off her clothes. ”W-Wait! You can stay here. I will just come back and tell them” Chiho halted her. ”Ah... Well... Look for any soldiers who have been taught about the tanks and then teach the others who haven't. Then you can use it as you wish” Nagami sat again beside Shu Fang. ”Alright...” Chiho was about to fly back to the village but Mariko called her. ”What about the Westerns, Chiho?” She asked. ”Ah... They're doing fine, they're already awake. Chris took care of their wounds when we were in battle” Chiho said. ”Okay...” Mariko nodded and Chiho flew back to the village. ”...Hey, how long is Takumi gonna take? Chiho and I saw enemies gathering at the Trupriv...” Shu Fang asked. Her question bothered Nagami. ”Ugh... I don't know...” She rubbed her face with her left hand. ”She's up to something and I don't know what...” She said. ”Without her, we wouldn't be able to fend off the planes that much” She sighed. They sat quietly for a minute before Chiho came back again with Ayumi on her tail. ”They're already going for the tanks...” Chiho was panting hard. ”Jeez, take it easy Chiho!” Nagami laughed. ”No, wait...” Chiho sat beside Shu Fang and rested her head on Shu Fang's shoulder. ”...Ah!” Shu Fang grew red on the face. Seeing how Shu Fang was struggling with Chiho so close on her got them thinking. ”Am I sensing some... Yuri stuff here?” A female BT-7 crew giggled. ”That's what I'm also thinking!” Nagami pointed at her and laughed.

”Yuri?” Mariko repeated the word. ”Ahh... the world so innocent...” Nagami calmed herself down. Nagami explained what she had told to Shu Fang and Mariko again for Chiho. Later, an hour has passed. Few of the tanks are manned. Some of it went into defensive positions at the village, some joined Nagami's side. They are getting anxious as time goes by. ”No one really knew about that brat being nosy...” Nagami said. ”How could she be possibly studying their powers without them noticing?” She asked. ”The power that makes her so fast... No Prohorovka have ever learned that...” Nagami thinks back of Takumi's blue traces at the skies.”. Takumi hasn't returned yet and no one is powerful enough to hold off any planes as much as she does. Though, they are a bit confident because they got the abandoned tanks manned. All of a sudden, it became loud at the Trupriv. The tanks and their guns are firing. ”Shit... They're on!” As the tank and AT gun crews are hurrying back to their tanks and cannon, they heard a screaming engine approaching fast. It sounds like its speeding ahead, along with cannon fires. ”That one's fa-!” The shout of a BT-7 crew was cut by the jump of a blue wheeled vehicle, it was followed by two gray wheeled vehicles. ”What the fuck?!” Nagami saw the vehicles. It was a Panhard EBR 90 being chased by two Sdkfz. 222. The Panhard drifts as soon as it landed on the ground and shot one of the Sdkfz. Its crew died inside but the vehicle wasn't exploded, leaving it rolling forward until it stopped.

”What is going on?!” Mariko shouted. The Panhard drove ahead, flanking the last Sdkfz. It stopped and slowly turn back with its turret. But it couldn't point its guns at the Panhard due to its agile movement. The Panhard quickly drove around the Sdkfz before finishing it away. A shot to its ammo racks made it explode very loud and huge. ”Hey, hey! Don't tell me...!” A male BT-7 crew shouted. ”Takumi?” Nagami looked very carefully. The hatch of the Panhard opens. ”Ahhh!!!” Tamie popped out with a scream. She was sweating bullets and struggles to get out. ”G...Grr...!” She gave her best to stand and get out of the vehicle. As she got out, she steps into the hull, but she got cramps and lost her balance. ”Akh!” She fell with a groan. ”Hey, watch your steps...” Takumi came out gasping for air. ”Damn it, Takumi! I'm never going with you again!” Tamie shouts as she laid on the ground. ”Whoaa!!!” Mariko and Ayumi ran ahead to see the Panhard. Its big wheels caught their attention. ”This looks beautiful!” She said with fascination. ”She's a beaut'” Takumi slaps the turret. ”Can we get out now?” A female voice came from inside and Takumi hurried out and jumps to the ground. ”This baby can outrun tanks and destroy them in the process!” Takumi said with a big grin in her face. ”So this is what you left us for...” Nagami said as she and her crew approaches the Panhard. They all gathered to look at it. The AT crews were whispering with their eyes fixed on the vehicle.

”I'll call her Azumi” Takumi named the tank. ”From now on, her name is Azumi. Remember that well...” She sounded so proud. ”Still, how did you get this?” Nagami asked. ”Well... I have the power of disguise!” Takumi responded. Everyone turned to her. ”What now?” Nagami can't believe what she said. ”Disguise” Takumi repeated. ”What?” Nagami still can't believe it. ”Oh, come on...” Takumi's image blurred, surprising them. When she became clear, Tamie was now standing on her position. ”What!” Everyone reacted to her. ”H-Hey! That's creepy!” Tamie shouted as she looks at her doppelganger. ”Why is it creepy?” Takumi asked. Takumi even sounded like Tamie when she disguised as her. Everyone had their jaws down. When Takumi was teasing Tamie, Chiho noticed the crews of the Panhard going down. A blonde crew stayed at the hatch. ”Another blonde...” Chiho whispered. What gets her more is the girl's hair got messed up and ruined during their arrival. Her eyes match her hair and she looked younger than Chiho herself. ”Ah! wait!” Takumi grabbed Tamie and they both spun around, making Tamie cry a bit. ”Now who's the real one?!” Takumi asked as they stopped. ”You idiot” Nagami chuckled. It was obvious for them due to their different energy. Tamie was clearly uncomfortable and Takumi was enjoying. ”Hmm...” Takumi looked at Tamie and got the idea. ”Alright then!” They both spins again. ”Stop it!” They stopped and Tamie shouted at the other Tamie. Nagami was now confused.

”Can you stop it already?!” Tamie on the right shouted. ”Huh?! You're the one who's doing all this!” Tamie on the left shouted. ”Stop playing around and get serious already!” Tamie on the right shouted. Takumi got them all confused as she matches herself with Tamie's timidness. ”Who's to speak here?! Stop it and return your normal self again!” Tamie on the left shouted. ”How am I supposed to do that when I'm myself?!” Tamie on the right shouted. ”JUST STOP IT ALREADY!!!” Tamie on the left bursts out of tears. ”I HAD ENOUGH!!!” Tamie on the right cried. ”Hey, for fuck sake, Takumi stopped it already” Nagami scolds as she looked at the Tamie on the right. ”Huh? She's Takumi...” Tamie on the right pointed at the other Tamie. ”What?! It's her!” Tamie on the left pointed. They continued to point at each other and Nagami finally snapped. She brought out a grenade and looked at their reaction. The one on the left cried in surprise, while the one on the right gasped. ”Takumi...” Nagami hid back the grenade and approached her. She grabbed the Tamie on her right shoulder and punched her intestine with her right fist. ”Ooough...!” The Tamie drops on her knees and she started to blur away. Takumi quickly returned back to her own self as she loses focus on the disguise.