The Last Tankery Match...

BC-4 Prequel Part 1

"She's so cute, right?" Asks Megumi to her friend and fellow tanker Azumi.
Azumi is currently drinking a glass of red wine, and Rumi sits looking though the menu.
"Yes, Little Commander sure is cute!" Responds Azumi."
Her response catches Alice's attention.
"What's that?" The little girl's voice is innocent and youthful.
Azumi and Rumi act as is if nothing was said.
"Oh nothing Miss Shimada!" Rumi clears her voice, "So, commander, do you know what you're ordering?"
Alice Shimada looks down at her menu.
After a moment of browsing she has her order down.

"Rice! But you've had that the last time we went out!" Megumi says to the little girl.
Azumi budges into the conversation.
"Megumi, let Alice get what she wants."
"She's right." Rumi cuts in as well.
Azumi and Rumi have Megumi backed into a corner.
Megumi looks at them, "I-I was just looking out for her! Look at all the other pretty meals there are!"
She was right, there were many delectable entrées on the menu.
"Oh, wow you're right!" Azumi browses the courses.
The two other women admire t selection, Alice just watched, confused.
Alice looks away, and gazes out the window of the restaurant.
In the distant hills she sees a small vehicle kicking up dust.

"Wait, what's commander looking at?"
The three accompanying girls look to where Alice is pointing.
"Huh? What is that?" Asks Megumi.
Rumi walks up to the window, she straightens her glasses and squints her eyes.
She too sees the small vehicle, it's moving quite fast, and is leaving a trail of dust.
"Hehe, that, Alice, is a tankette." Rumi rests her hand on top of Alice's head.
"Well, ain't that something!" Azumi's attitude is changing slowly.
"Why would a tankette be operating around here?" Questions Megumi.
Suddenly Rumi remembers why.
"Oh! I forgot but, there's a tankathlon battle taking place!"
"What the hell is tankathlon?" Azumi finishes her second glass.
"Oh, well... Basically it's an unofficial version of tankery, it's not supervised by the schools, and the tanks have a 10 ton weight limit." Explains Rumi.
"Lemme guess, the teens do it eh?" Megumi doesn't sound impressed.
"Ooo, this sounds fun!" Azumi orders another glass.
"C'mon Azumi, this is your third glass. You're being a bad influence on little Alice."
"Eh don'tcha worry! I'm just feeling a little tipsy." Azumi gulps the rest of her third glass of wine.
Megumi takes a breath, "Whatever, let's just order already."
"Yeah, it's about time." Rumi waves her hand, "Waiter!"

After some time the four girls leave and park themselves on the sidewalk. They wait beside the semi-busy street, awaiting their taxi. They are on their way to see Miho compete in a very large match of tankery, they would show up unexpectedly to surprise Miho and her friends.
But Alice remembers something important.

Alice jumps in her spot, she carries a shocked expression.
"Huh? What is it commander?!" Rumi expresses her caring side.
"Do you need to use the washroom? Or have you fallen ill?" Asks Megumi.
Alice looks straight into the distance.
"...Boko..."

"What? But you have Boko in your hands!" Azumi is confused.
"Wait!" Megumi suddenly remembers something.
"Nishizumi's gift! We left it in our room!"
All four girls suddenly remember exactly where they left Miho's gift, on the bed in their room.
"Aw shit."
"Uh, language Azumi!" Rumi barks at Azumi.
"Don't corrupt Commander's innocent ears!" Megumi is backing up Rumi.
Azumi is clearly annoyed now, they would probably be late for the match.
"We have to go get it." Alice quietly says.

After a quick argument between Azumi and Rumi, the group decides to take a taxi back to their room.
Rumi looks at the money they had chipped in, but they would be late for the match.
It was either they skip out on getting Miho's gift or be late and miss out on some awesome turret to turret combat.
"Hmm, we have run into a dilemma." Megumi sighs.
Alice waits and listens to the adults.
"Hey, I've got an idea." Azumi steps up to the table.
She continues, "How about we get a ride to fetch Boko, and then take Alice's Centurion to the match?"
The girls sit and think about it.
"Actually that's a good idea, why didn't we think of that!" Rumi sounds dumbfounded.
"Yes that's an alright idea, but we gotta hurry! We don't want to be too late!"
"It's decided then, let's go."