The New Commander of St. Gloriana

Chapter 22: Tiger II vs. The Churchill

The aftermath of Kuromorimine's ambush left the battlefield in chaos. Tanks smoldered on both sides, and the once-peaceful valley was now scarred by the violence of battle. St. Gloriana had gained the upper hand thanks to Adrian's bold maneuver and Darjeeling's precise flanking strategy, but the fight was far from over.

Adrian's Churchill tank rumbled through the rubble-strewn landscape, his eyes scanning the horizon for their next target. His heart pounded in his chest as the realization hit him—they were about to face Kuromorimine's most feared weapon: the Tiger II.

"Adrian," Darjeeling's voice crackled through the radio, calm but urgent. "Kuromorimine is regrouping. Their Tiger II is advancing. We must be cautious—it's more powerful than anything we've encountered so far."

Adrian knew what that meant. The Tiger II, or King Tiger, was infamous for its thick armor and devastating firepower. It was nearly impervious to most frontal assaults, and its 88mm gun could destroy even the most heavily armored tanks with ease.

"Understood," Adrian replied, his voice steady despite the tension building inside him. "We'll have to play this smart."

He quickly surveyed his crew, making sure they were ready. His driver, focused and alert, kept the tank moving at a steady pace. His gunner was poised, eyes locked on the targeting scope, while his loader waited for the command to load the next round. They were well-coordinated, but this was going to be their toughest challenge yet.

The radio crackled again, this time with Rosehip's voice. "Adrian, I see it! The Tiger II—it's heading straight for you!"

Adrian's eyes snapped to the left, and there it was—Kuromorimine's massive Tiger II rolling over a rise in the landscape. Its menacing silhouette loomed large, the thick armor plates reflecting the fading sunlight. Even at a distance, Adrian could feel the weight of its presence. This wasn't just any tank; it was a behemoth, designed for one thing—domination.

The Churchill's 6-pounder gun would have a hard time penetrating the Tiger II's thick frontal armor. Adrian knew that a head-on fight would be suicide. The Tiger II would pick them apart before they could even get in range.

"We can't take it head-on," Adrian muttered. "We'll have to outmaneuver it."

"Easier said than done," Rosehip replied over the radio, her usual playful tone tempered by the seriousness of the situation. "But if anyone can do it, it's you."

Adrian quickly formulated a plan. "We need to get behind it. The only way we're going to penetrate that armor is if we hit it from the sides or rear."

He relayed his orders to his crew. "Driver, take us around those rocks. We'll use the terrain for cover and try to flank it. Gunner, be ready to fire the moment we have a clear shot."

The Churchill roared to life, its engine straining as they moved to outmaneuver the Tiger II. The landscape was their only ally now. The rocks and ridges provided cover, allowing them to stay out of the Tiger's line of sight. But they had to move fast—if the Tiger II spotted them, it would only be a matter of time before it fired.

"Darjeeling, we're going for the flank," Adrian radioed. "Can you provide a distraction?"

"Understood. I'll engage from the front and try to draw their attention," Darjeeling replied. Her calm, composed voice was a stark contrast to the danger they all faced. "Be careful, Adrian."

Adrian's heart raced as the Churchill crept closer to the Tiger II's position. He could hear the heavy rumble of its engine as it advanced. The massive tank was lumbering forward, unaware of Adrian's position, its gun trained on Darjeeling's tank, which had begun firing in an attempt to divert its attention.

Darjeeling's shots bounced harmlessly off the Tiger II's thick frontal armor, but her plan was working. The Tiger II's crew focused on her, believing they had the advantage.

"This is it," Adrian whispered to his crew. "Get ready."

As they rounded the rocks, Adrian caught sight of the Tiger II's rear. It was exposed—the weak point they needed. His gunner locked onto the target, the crosshairs settling on the vulnerable spot just beneath the turret.

"Fire!" Adrian commanded.

The Churchill's cannon roared, and the shell streaked toward the Tiger II. The shot hit its mark, slamming into the rear of the massive tank with a thunderous explosion. The Tiger II lurched, smoke pouring from the impact point.

"Direct hit!" Adrian's gunner shouted.

But it wasn't over yet. The Tiger II, though damaged, wasn't out of the fight. Its turret began to turn, slowly but surely locking onto Adrian's position. One shot from that 88mm cannon, and the Churchill would be obliterated.

"Move! Now!" Adrian shouted to his driver.

The Churchill veered sharply, speeding across the battlefield as the Tiger II's cannon fired. The round missed by inches, exploding in a shower of dirt and debris behind them.

"We can't take another hit like that!" Adrian shouted.

Darjeeling, seeing her chance, opened fire again, this time aiming for the Tiger II's turret. The distraction gave Adrian just enough time to reposition.

"Rosehip, we need support!" Adrian called over the radio. "The Tiger II is still operational!"

Rosehip's voice crackled back, filled with determination. "On it! We're coming in from the right!"

Moments later, Rosehip's tank appeared on the far side of the battlefield, charging toward the Tiger II at full speed. She fired her cannon, striking the Tiger's tracks and immobilizing it.

"Nice shot!" Adrian called out.

With the Tiger II unable to move, Adrian saw his chance. He ordered his gunner to aim for the side armor, where the Tiger II was most vulnerable.

"Fire!" he commanded.

The Churchill's gun fired once more, and the shell punched through the Tiger II's side. The massive tank shuddered, its engine sputtering before falling silent. Smoke billowed from the turret, and finally, the tank stopped moving.

Adrian let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "We did it..."

The radio crackled with Darjeeling's voice, calm and collected as always. "Well done, Adrian. That was quite the maneuver."

Rosehip's voice followed, as lively as ever. "We showed that Tiger who's boss!"

Adrian allowed himself a small smile. They had just defeated one of the most powerful tanks in the world, and they had done it through teamwork and strategy. But the battle wasn't over yet. Kuromorimine still had forces in the field, and St. Gloriana needed to press their advantage.

"Alright, everyone," Adrian said, his voice steady and confident. "Let's finish this."

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**End of Chapter 22.**