Girl und Panzer: The Yankee's in Tank

Chapter 5

Houston sat in his office, the heater on full blast, trying to fend off the biting cold. The island where they had set up their FOB was their temporary home for nearly a month now, and the winter chill had settled in deep. Texans, used to the blazing sun, found the cold weather particularly challenging. Many of Houston's troops had built campfires and wore heavy jackets reminiscent of those worn during the Battle of the Bulge to keep warm.

Houston sighed as he looked out the window of his office, then grabbed his journal to write the daily report.

"Ever since the day we captured our third point from the girls, getting this far has been tougher than I imagined... Taking this CP from them showed us how determined and stubborn they are in keeping us off. Right now, we need to be strong and determined to win this fight... But morale in the other high schools is low... Some want to go home, and to be honest, I do feel kind of homesick, being apart from my aunt. But I'm not going to go home. I know for a fact that others know we won't come back home until it's over here..."

Houston chuckled, remembering the small joke Grant had made, playing the song over a one-hour loop. He continued with his Tankery report, speaking into his tape recorder as if briefing all Sensha-Do schools.

"The Federation team and the high school girls from Kuromorimine, Ooarai, Saunders, Pravda, and St. Gloriana are the most stubborn opponents we've faced since the successful operation of Stalemate against those schools."

Houston glanced out the window again, watching his Rangers and Tankery crews huddled around campfires, their breath visible in the frigid air. He felt a mixture of pride and concern for his men as he continued his report.

"Maho Nishizumi... Now there's a formidable opponent. Her tactics are precise, calculated. She studied us well, almost as if she knew our every move before we made it. Her ability to anticipate and counter our strategies is impressive. It's clear she's a student of warfare, just like her sister."

He paused, flipping back through his notes to review their previous encounters.

"In our last engagement, she predicted our flanking maneuver perfectly. We underestimated her once, and it nearly cost us the match. The girls of Kuromorimine are well-trained, disciplined, and follow her lead without question. It's a stark contrast to the more relaxed approach of Ooarai or the aggressive style of Pravda.

But what stands out the most about Maho is her adaptability. After each encounter, she adjusts her strategies, making it difficult for us to find any consistent weaknesses. It's like playing a game of chess where she's always thinking several moves ahead."

Houston leaned back in his chair, rubbing his hands together for warmth before picking up his pen to jot down some key points.

"We need to focus on unpredictability. If we keep changing our tactics, it might give us the edge we need. Also, maintaining high morale is crucial. The cold is taking a toll on the men, but they're holding up well. We'll need to ensure they stay motivated and ready for anything."

He continued to dictate into the recorder.

"We've observed that Maho's strength lies not just in her own skills but in how she inspires her team. She's a natural leader, and that's something we can learn from. If we can foster that same level of trust and camaraderie among our own troops, we might stand a better chance."

Houston's eyes drifted back to his Rangers outside, a sense of resolve settling over him. He knew the road ahead was tough, but with determination and adaptability, they could hold their ground. He made a final note in his journal before concluding his report.

"Despite the challenges, our mission remains clear. We will continue to push forward, adapt our strategies, and support each other through this winter. Victory may be hard-fought, but it's within our grasp. End report."