Before we begin, I'd like to point out that my liveblog for Chapter 6.5 is up, two installments before this one. I'd also like to thank Jamibu for informing me about the existence of the chapter; it was nice seeing Maho again, and touching to hear her speak well of Miho's team, even if Gilbert suffered Anzio's fate with even less likelihood of an OVA to remedy it.
The chapter begins with a girl, who's easily recognizable as Chihiro, cursing her luck for being late and wondering whether Hitomi and the others are on the field yet. Meanwhile, it dawns on Hitomi and the others from Bellwall that Emi is gone, and Emi faces Sheska.
Emi asks Sheska if she locked her in to take her out of the match, but Sheska says she did not intend anything of the sort, and only wants to know more about Emi's style of tankery. Emi is a bit confused as to why Sheska would go so far, but Sheska recalls what she heard about Emi's beliefs and how she'll see them if she faced her head on. Sheska then says that she, too, has her own beliefs, and asks why someone like Emi is so good at tankery, and the question is bothering her so much that she won't be able to concentrate.
Emi admits she doesn't know, and says that's why she left Germany. She says that, ironically enough, finding her own way of tankery was why she wanted to go to Germany, but those in Germany didn't accept someone who was a mixed race and harassed Emi. Sheska had no idea of this, and when Emi asks her about this, Sheska's expression turns dumbfounded, resulting in Emi having a laugh at Sheska's expense, noting that it's no wonder she seemed like a tyrant.
It's interesting that racism toward mixed-races like Emi is brought up, but it seems like it's dealt with in a somewhat off-hand manner, especially considering that in Little Army 1, Chihiro noted that Emi's attitude was the main reason no one liked her at first.
Sheska is quite annoyed and notes that she still blames Emi for breaking up the team, and tells Emi to leave. Emi complies, but as a parting message, says that she doesn't know what her tankery is, but does know that everyone has her own way of doing it, and that even if it's difficult to find it, Sheska should prove the worth of her own beliefs. Sheska's quite annoyed at Emi talking like an ace even now, but much to Emi's chagrin, the door won't open.
All this is an interesting and amusing bit of dramatic irony. This time, the tables are turned, and Emi's the one who angered a Tsundere-ish rival, without realizing the full depth of what she'd done.
Meanwhile, on Bellwall's transport ship, the group discusses Emi's absence. Neko and Chifuyu agree that they'll have to proceed without Emi, but come up with completely opposite tactics- a frontal attack and long-range sniping, respectively. Hitomi, however, says neither will work and decides to share what she and Emi discussed. Emi's teammates suggest that she take command, since she learned about tankery while the team was dormant. The two rivals agree, noting that it's better than nothing, and that Hitomi, who knows Emi's plan, is best to lead.
Unfortunately, Hitomi doesn't know much about tactics, as she primarily studied tank maintenance. She realizes that their hopes of winning aren't good if she refuses, though, and that without Emi around, it's up to her to do what she can. Emi decides to take command and make Emi's strategy work, but leaves Emi on the player register in case she comes.
The chance of Emi coming, however, seem slimmer by the moment as Emi's attempts to force the door fail. Sheska starts cryng, and blurts out an apology for not considering the consequences, causing Emi to be confused. Emi tells Sheska that she's participating, too, and that she should stand up and help out, all the while, thinking that she's "too soft-hearted." They manage to break through, though, when Chihiro, looking for the match site, pulls out the metal poles that were keeping the door shut, causing the two to unexpectedly break through. Chihiro's surprised to see Emi, while Emi doesn't recognize Chihiro at first. It's a good thing Chihiro showed up; one can only imagine what would have happened if no one had stopped by to get the door open.
The match begins, and Bellwall advances. A woman dressed as Araippe and Darjeeling are doing commentary. Darjeeling suspects that Bellwall has a plan, but with the lineup, she doubts that it will work.
Inside her tank, Hitomi's beside herself with nervousness, but her teammates offer their support, enabling her to calm down. Upon reaching their destination, Hitomi orders the others to get out as she planned and remain on standby until they receive further orders, a tactic Darjeeling identifies as a scout detachment. Darjeeling observes that the tanks are less effective without some of their operators, but the scouts can prove useful by gathering information. It's an interesting acknowledgment of how under-crewed tanks can be at a disadvantage, but one has to wonder whether people leaving the safety of their tanks would be allowed.
The scene flashes back to Hitomi's conversation with Emi. Hitomi asked why Emi proposed such a plan, and Emi told her that in tankery, the weaker side will inevitably lose in a head-on confrontation unless they take measures against the enemy. Hitomi agrees with Emi's point, and notes that unless she plays her cards right, all she'll accomplish is losing more of her tanks.
Meanwhile, Black Forest moves out, and Erika divides her tanks into three groups- one with a Jagdpanther and a Panther, another with a Jagdpanzer and two of the Panthers, and the third with the remaining five tanks, including her tank and the flag tank. Araippe asks Darjeeling about this, and Darjeeling says that it's to maintain numerical superiority in case Bellwall attacks with all five tanks. Araippe asks about how the five Bellwall tanks should be equal to the largest Black Forest group, and Darjeeling, chuckling, notes that the Panzer II doesn't count. Erika's apparently thinking the same thought, as after the Panzer IV tries a hit and run attack, Erika tells her allies to ignore it, as it's only "a mosquito." She recognizes the bait and ambush tactic, and plans on smashing their plans to pieces.
That's what Hitomi's been waiting for, as she recalls Emi telling her to take advantage of when the enemy moves confidently. Bellwall's tanks surround Black Forest's, and fire on them, disabling two Panthers. Black Forest returns fire, while Bellwall is hindered as a result of its lower loading speed and smaller numbers, and takes out the T-44 and Elefant. Hitomi desperately tries to escape, but realizes the enemy won't let her, and takes a glancing blow. She begins to despair, until Chihiro calls out to her and tells her not to give up. Emi also arrives, resulting in Hitomi crying Tears of Joy, and isn't fazed by a 3 on 8 fight, saying that she'll tell everyone the next phase of the plan, still confident she can win.
- Next Installment: Shiho looks for ways to mend her relationship with her daughters.
