Story [Issue 19] Birth of a Tank: "Patrol Duty"

[Fjelstad1678 186]

Birth of a Tank

"Patrol Duty"
Find the previous article here: http://en.tankiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=184928

 

It was getting dark by the time we rolled back into the garage. That is really all I remember from that point on until the following morning.

        “So, tanks can rest?” I asked Rachel.
        “Well, really, its a complicated process and not really “sleep”, but I guess so.”
        “Interesting. So, what really happens then?”
        “It is pretty much what the human body does during sleep. Your consciousness that's stored within this tank is put into a sleep-like trance. While this trance is upon you, this garage will replace all worn down parts, sand out dents, refuel you, and you will come out of the trance feeling good as new.”

        “Well, being a machine is… interesting.” I thought aloud. “Anyways, what are we doing today? More training?”
        “Nope. That was all the training the government makes us give you. According to them, you are now fully trained and ready for combat, although we all know you really aren’t. New recruits like you aren’t usually put into tough zones right away. In that respect, you are nothing special.”
        “So, what is my first mission?” I asked.
        “You are to be based in a patrol squad in an area we tend to call ‘Silence’, because of how little ever happens there. It is on a military border, but it serves very little tactical advantages, so the enemy has basically let us keep it. We do keep a patrol there at all times though just to keep them from invading it for free.”

        “That sounds pretty easy. Almost boring, actually. So, there is going to be a squad?” I asked.
        “Yeah, no idea who they are yet. Probably some annoying 18 year olds who wanted to ‘live the life’ and join the military. That's how most of ‘em are. You seem around the late 20s by my guess. A lot nicer and so much less cussin’.”
        “Well, only time will tell. When do we go?” Rachel chuckled.

        “We are on our way now, silly!” I was confused. I was still sitting in the garage.
        “How can I be…”
        “I know it’s kind of confusing. Basically, these things are on four rails, kinda like an old roller-coaster. We can move them from place to place with a single command. We’re going about 70 miles per hour right now.”

When we arrived it made it clear. Rachel was explaining what some of the devices in the garage did to me when a large jolt announced the end of our journey. The door slid open and I was surprised to see two guns pointing at me.
        “Oh boy! The new guy is here!” said the one on the left.
        “Welcome to nowhere, buddy!” the other added on.
        “Uh, hello…” was all I managed to get out before they started gawking at me.
        “Woah! You’re one of those new Thundering Mammoths!” said one.
        “Yeah! I’ve heard about these! Practically invincible!” squeaked the other.
        “Look at that gun! It's huge!” the first one said.
        “Hey can I…” I tried to get out just to be overtaken again.
        “Such a shiny paint job too! You must be on your first mission!” one of them said again. They were pretty quick, especially with their mouths, and were hard to keep track of.

        “WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP A MINUTE?” I bellowed. Needless to say, they stopped yapping.
        “Alright.” I started. “First, I would like to know your names.”
        “Aww, that’s an easy one!” one of them said. “I’m Darrel, and this is Easton!”
        “Sue us if we’re wrong!” Easton chimed in.
        “Well, nice to meet you both.” I said.

        "'Nice' might be too strong a word..." Rachel said to me.

        "So, why did the government place you out here? I thought your design was front line material." asked Darrel.

        "I really don't know. I'm a new guy, so that might be why."

        "Probably not." Easton countered. "They tend to get newbies up at the front lines all the time. Commanders are getting sick of it."

        "That's for sure." Rachel agreed, even though only I could hear her.

        "Then I really have no idea why I am here. Maybe they are buffing guard duty here? Anyways, what model tank are you guys?" I asked, trying to change the subject that was beginning to worry me. Why did they need a heavy tank on a patrol?

        "We are both 'Smoking Hunters'. Lighter hull than yours but a lot weaker too. This little pew-pew gun of ours does a lot less than yours, although it is quicker to reload." Darrel explained. Easton still seemed somewhat concerned.

        "Why would they need a top of the line heavy such as yourself in good old Silence? Nothing ever happens here. Do you guys think the enemy found out about the... ehem... you-know-what a little further in friendly grounds?"

        "Oh my Goodness, they suspect something. Tell them that is a crazy idea and the enemy would never find it." I did what Rachel said and added that the patrol had been a little underpowered anyways.

 

After a long conversation with Darrel and Easton, whom turned out to be really friendly, we all went to the guard tower. It was my turn for night guard first, and I was supposed to wake Easton in 3 hours. In the mean time, Rachel fully explained everything to me.

        "Okay, so I might have lied a little about you getting an easy mission. You see, if you go about 20 miles further into friendly territory past this point, you would find Tank-I's crystal mine. If you didn't know already, these special blue crystals power every unit Tank-I uses. Wagamin, who runs their units on fuels containing the metals gold and silver, would like nothing more than to cut off our resources. I mean, right now, you are running on fuel consisting of little but these liquified glowing crystals. Tank-I tries to keep the guard and patrols going through here to a low to avoid suspicion, as there is really no tactical gain from owning this land. Unfortunately, there have been rumors that Wagamin has learned of this crystal mine and have been planning an attack. After much debate, Tank-I agreed to have one heavy tank placed here for any possible threat entering the area. You just so happen to be that tank. I'm sorry, I should have told you this earlier."

        "Wow." was really the only response I could give. I sat quietly and thought about what I had just learned. I was so stunned I almost forgot to wake up Easton from his garage. There was a metallic groan as he rolled out of it. That point was probably the slowest I have ever seen him drive. As soon as I felt the hose touch my back in my own garage, I was out.

The next morning was our first official patrol. Once we had assembled, the two told me exactly where to go.

         "We have this platform that we can go to that gives a great view of the nearby enemy encampment. It's not that far, just this way." Darrel said as we started off.

         "Yeah, we could see any attacks coming a good while before they arrive from the platform." We drove along for maybe 10 minutes before arriving. Once we got there, I was able to respect the view the two had described. You could see the Wagamin flag in the distance blowing in the wind. There were a few wrecks lying around of poor souls that hadn’t survived a long time ago.
        “Hey, Darrel?” Easton asked.
        “Yeah?”
        “Does that seem odd to you?” he asked.
        “What are you looking at?” Darrel asked him.
        “That column of tanks lining up near their base.”
        “Wait, what!?”
        “I see them…” I said. “and I don’t think they are coming to play.”
        “We might need some reinforcements…” Easton mumbled with his fear clear in his voice.
        “Already on it.” Rachel quickly spat.
        “Well, lets dig in, boys. I have a feeling we are in for a tough time.” The two quickly agreed with me, and we started rushing back.

        “Well.” Rachel said. “A boring mission just got interesting.” I could not possibly agree more.

To Be Continued

~Fjelstad1678~
 

Edited July 31, 2017 by Hexed

[Raphael2 3,263]

Well done as usual, and cool pic Val! :lol:

[doduobird 315]

Nice article! A great ending, I can't wait for the next article to come out :)

[hummy11 5]

Nice dude, kinda only read half of it :P

[hogree 4,179]

Appreciat. Well done Fjel! An awesome series.

[r_GoldRock30 68]

I was looking forward to this, and you didn't dissapoint. Has to be one of my favourite newspaper series, it's got a great plot - can't wait for the next in the series.

[Theawesomecooldude 108]

As soon as you named one of your characters after me, I got Hooked instantly. xD for those who don't know, my name is Easton. :p

[Fjelstad1678 186]

As soon as you named one of your characters after me, I got Hooked instantly. xD for those who don't know, my name is Easton. :P

Ah, I bet nobody will figure out where I got Darrel from.  ^_^

[Theawesomecooldude 108]

Ah, I bet nobody will figure out where I got Darrel from.  ^_^

not even I know where Darrel came from... that will be a mystery

[Ashish2000 10]

The story gets more interesting as i keep reading . Well done .

[red_tank_the_best 300]

Another great article!You are very tallented, Fjel!

Edited January 5, 2014 by red_tank_the_best

[Fjelstad1678 186]

Another great article!You are very tallented, Fjed!

Why, thank you!

[icerugby 1,886]

Leaving us hanging :lol: Can't wait for the next issue

[MyLife_MyReign 256]

Good one!

[KillerXenaRider 10]

Good one You are very tallented you should be  a writter in real life no joke!. KXR

[Fjelstad1678 186]

Good one You are very tallented you should be  a writter in real life no joke!. KXR

Why, thank you!

[MrAmazingKiller 9]

Dude what a great article! Good one Fjel!