Story [Issue 17] Birth of a Tank - Part 2: "Rachel"

[Fjelstad1678 186]

 

Birth of a Tank: Part 2

“Rachel”

 

If you have not read “Birth of a Tank” (posted by Hogree), you will probably want to check it out right here

 

I don’t remember how long I had been trundling down the tunnel. It sure did feel like hours, but it may have just been how incredibly dark it was. At some point, the floor had switched over to gravel, almost as if whoever built it had grown lazy of laying cement. After a while of tinkering with some of my features out of boredom, I figured out that I had headlights. I could instantly see why they kept it unlit. It appeared that I was driving through a long and dank sewer. The walls looked rather slimy, the “ready-to-collapse” looking ceiling was covered with mold and fungi, and there were piles of rat droppings scattered all over the base of the walls. After what felt like another 30 minutes, I finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

When I arrived at the light, I found it to be a panel of fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling in a rather grubby looking room. I determined it must be some sort of garage because of two long grates in the ground that lined up perfectly with my tracks, and a dip in the ground that ran directly under my hull, probably for catching oil. Being so interested in the small room, I missed seeing a heavy blast door close over the opening where I entered through. A couple minutes of wondering ‘Ya know, what DOES that red button do?’, I realized I was trapped in the garage. Having almost no idea how to control anything on my tank but the tracks, I started to panic.

After beginning to plan a glorious escape, a speaker mounted in the corner crackled to life.
        “Welcome, Recruit 1678!”
I was somewhat glad to hear a soothing female voice. Almost like falling into bed after a long, tiring day. 
        “My name is Rachel and I am going to run you through our combat training procedure. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them at any time.”
        “My pleasure, Rachel.” I said, not sure if she had actually heard me or not. “I do have a question if you can hear me.” She confirmed she could hear me with a simple “Go ahead”. “Where exactly am I?” I asked.
         “This is your temporary garage.” she said. “Once we get you out on the field and proving yourself, you will get a much nicer one.”

That didn’t quite answer my question.

        “Okay, but where am I?”

       “Oh! You mean specifically!” She giggled a little. “Well, you are about 150 meters below the surface of Earth. Or, well, what is left of it. The thing is, the two great nations of Tank-I and Wagamin have been at war for years. Most other nations such as the US, England, France, and Russia have all colonized Mars and have left Earth to its wartime fate. They have many treaties in place to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Here in Tank-I, we are not cowards. We do not flee when the bullets start flying. We fight till the blood flows from our enemies! That, my friend, is where you are.”
 

Now that answered my question. I felt slightly tired though…
      “Hey, I’m kinda sleepy. Is there some way I sleep or something?”
      “Oh yes!” She laughed a little “I forgot to lower the fuel line. Here… this should help.”

I high pitched whir came from above. A black tube with a nozzle on the end was being lowered from a small hole in the ceiling. I felt it be inserted somewhere in my back, and a sudden burst of energy flooded through my hull.

        “Pretty neat, isn’t it?” She asked while chuckling.

        “Yeah.” I answered. “Did you know you laugh a lot, Miss Rachel?” She sighed.

        “Ah, you got me. Yeah, I tend to laugh, but that's a good thing, right? Hey, I really don't know what to call you by... Do you have an actual name?"

        "A name?" I dug deep down in my memory trying to think of my own name. It suddenly came to me like a shot from the enemy. 
        "Daniel. My name is Daniel. You can call me Dan, though."
        "Dan, eh?" She said. "Great name. Used to know a bloke by the name Dan. Was actually dating him until the draft. Never saw him again. Hope to again some day. Anyways, love the name!"

A smile reached my face. Well, until I started wondering how in the world a tank could smile. I decided to not think about it. All I knew is I was starting to grow on this girl who I had only just met. She seemed like a fun person to be around. Cheery, funny, and just all-round great personality. 
       "Do you have a last name, Dan?"
       "Yeah, Dan Anderson." Don't know how I knew, I just did. 

        “Well, you are all full up and ready, Mr. Anderson. Time to get started.”
With a sudden grinding noise, the wall in front of me was lifted up to reveal a small room with no ceiling.
        “Please enter the lift.” Rachel told me. I proceeded onto it. The door fell back down behind me. A few lights mounted on the walls allowed me to still see. With a jolt, the lift slowly began the long trip to the surface.

About 2 minutes later, the lift stopped in a room similar in size to my garage. The speakers in this room crackled to life.

        “Hello again, its Rachel. I just realized I forgot to explain who I am! I am actually your personal combat advisor. I will help you with tactics during different situations in battle. I am about to plant a small device on your turret. This may pinch a little.” An arm sprouted from the ceiling and quickly welded a small metal circle in a small ring on the underside of my turret that was the perfect size for it.

        “Well, no more need for these speakers…” With a click, the speakers died.

        “Why, hello again!” I jumped, or, well, I would have…

        “Don’t do that!” I yelled.

        “Sorry, I thought it would be fun.” She giggled. “Anyway, lets get started.” The garage door in front of me opened. A loud voice behind me suddenly boomed. 

       "MOVE OUT!"

 

-To be continued-

 

 

 

~Fjelstad1678~

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[stanzhang 3,291]

Like it

[Valletta 834]

Great one! How many parts do you intend to write? :)

[Fjelstad1678 186]

^Till I run out of ideas for it, I suppose. :P

[DeoxyriboNudeicAcicl 97]

My name is Daniel too! derp

[hogree 4,179]

Must say, love the way you"ve opened this up. You could take this story millions of ways now - even has potential for a romance story now, after this story, which is something that would definitely be new for the newspaper! But once again, flawless writing Dr. FJ - you also earn the mark of "Hog Approval"!

[Fjelstad1678 186]

^SHHH! You are revealing my secrets! :D

Thanks Hog, that means a lot.  :)

[GoldRock 6,165]

Now that is mind-blowingly good. Love how you've switched from the descriptive imagery in the first part to emotive language and dialogue in the second in order to develop the plot, great idea :o

[q456wert 18]

Nice

[aliehabebrahim 40]

iwant to go tothe clan

Edited November 8, 2013 by Lhamster

[STAT-RaZoR 2]

Wowww realy cool dude grats!

[Lt.Tank-Marshall 32]

Awesome bud, i think the tank is a mammoth and a thunder, maybe

[Fjelstad1678 186]

^Yup, it sure is.  ;)

[JonathanBernatowicz 119]

Isn't there anything else in the garage? :lol:

[ExtremeKiller26 443]

Good job! I like this one as much as the last one.

[I.EatMyBullets 497]

Nice lol

[zainmalik55 2]

Good Work @Fjelstad1678 Keep it up :)

 

 

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