Dust Devils - A Girls Und Panzer Story

Chapter 63

Sunday August 25th 2013

Grafenwöhr, Germany

The previous day at the German Panzer Museum can be described as simply excellent. Every member of the team had seen something at the place that they enjoyed. For Valarie, to say it was a dream come true would be an understatement. Days where every moment was of pure delight were few and far between and yesterday fit that bill beautifully. Without a shadow of a doubt, Valarie will cherish the memories made for years to come.

It was the early morning and the weather was cloudy. So early that the team was still asleep in the humble hotel they were staying in. Like in all other times the team have traveled, each crew were packed into their own room. Valarie's crew were asleep, with her awake. She was already in her uniform, freshly clean and ready for the day ahead. Valarie was gazing out the second floor window to a park across the street. At this early hour it was mostly vacant. The trees danced faintly as gusts of winds blew through their branches. In a calm and cool morning, she took this moment to think. There was a lot that weighed heavily on her mind. The most pressing matter was the visitation of the army base later today. Though she would have preferred to spend a day with a tank unit, as U.S tank units were withdrawn earlier in the year from Europe, a field artillery unit will have to suffice. The day will still be nonetheless interesting and who knows what surprises could spring up. Her mind then dwelled on the upcoming match against the New Zealand team. The necessary preparations have been made. The strategy has already been crafted and is ready for execution, the new material the team ordered has already arrived and been installed where applicable, and the new crew for the Type 97 have been trained enough with their tank to work their roles decently enough. It was the uncertainty that troubled her. Every match cultivated this feeling within. A perpetual fog of war where all manner of monsters can lurk within, biding their time to unleash a strike. Perhaps no monster can claim to be more fearsome than Molly Pitcher's E-100, the Standardpanzer that made its presence known far and wide at its debut at the American nationals. It only has been roughly two months since the national finals, though with how much has happened since now and then, it felt like it happened a decade ago. Like it was part of a different story. Valarie could vividly remember the emotion she has felt when the E-100 first revealed itself from that barn. It was the closest she has ever felt fear in a tankery match. Had the Super Pershing not taken the monster down in the way that it did, the nationals could very well have turned out differently.

Valarie took a deep breath and grinned to herself, pleased to see what the intense efforts of the team has brought them. She turned around and was mildly surprised to see Emma was awake and was looking at her silently with a soft smile on her face. Valarie walked over and got into bed next to her. They clasped hands.

"You got an eyeful?" Valarie softly said in a tease.

Emma gave her the quietest of chuckles. "Oh, yes ma'am."

"Oh please," Valarie said, her cheeks turning red. "I'm not used to that kind of formality."

"Well, captain, I'm more than happy to help you get used to all kinds of formal talk. You are in uniform after all."

Valarie's blush deepened. "You love to make me turn red, don't you?"

"Yes, yes I do. And I know just the trick to make your cheeks that much redder."

Emma grabbed Valarie by the collar of her uniform to pull her in to kiss. Valarie instantly melted and returned the kiss in kind. After several long blissful moments, they pulled apart. Their eyes locked and both cheeks showing a vibrant shade of red.

"That...that does the trick." Valarie remarked.

"I've got more tricks," Emma said with a wink. "One day, I'll show you what they are. They are a lot more fun."