The New Commander of St. Gloriana

Chapter 4: A Crew of Their Own

Adrian stood by his assigned tank—a Cromwell, sleek and fast, compared to Darjeeling's heavy Churchill. Today would be his first official match with his own crew, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Darjeeling had issued the challenge herself—a one-on-one duel to test his skills under real combat conditions. A test, no doubt, to see how well he had truly adapted to St. Gloriana.

The early morning sunlight bathed the field in a golden glow, but there was tension in the air. His crew—three girls he had yet to properly meet—were already waiting for him by the tank, each with varying expressions of curiosity and excitement.

"Well, look at this," one of them said, a tall girl with short dark hair and a confident smirk. "You must be the new commander." She extended her hand. "Rachel Morgan, your loader. Let's see if you've got what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Darjeeling."

Adrian grasped her hand, appreciating the firm grip. "Adrian Blackwood. Good to meet you, Rachel."

Beside her was a smaller girl, her glasses slightly crooked as she gave Adrian an appraising look. "Clara Hartley, radio operator. I've studied the map of today's course and taken notes on Darjeeling's past maneuvers."

Adrian nodded, impressed by Clara's quiet but studious demeanor. "We'll rely on your intel to stay ahead of her."

"And I'm Nina O'Hara," chimed in the last crew member, a fiery redhead with a mischievous grin. "Your gunner. Just point me at the target, and I'll blow it to bits."

Adrian smiled. His crew seemed capable and confident—a crucial component in a match like this. But there was more than just skill needed to take on Darjeeling. She was a master of strategy and control. Even with a lighter, faster tank, she would be difficult to outmaneuver.

"Alright," Adrian said, stepping closer to the Cromwell. "We're up against one of the best today. Our advantage is speed, so we'll need to stay mobile and keep her guessing. Clara, keep track of her movements. Rachel, make sure we're always loaded and ready. Nina, I'm trusting you to take the shot when we get the chance."

Rachel smirked. "Sounds like a plan."

Clara nodded, adjusting her glasses. "Understood."

Nina just grinned. "Oh, I'm ready."

As Adrian climbed into the commander's hatch, he felt a wave of excitement and determination rise in his chest. This wasn't just a test of his skills—it was a test of his leadership, his ability to command and adapt. He had spent years training in different military environments, but this was different. This was St. Gloriana, where refinement met combat, and where every battle was a blend of elegance and strength.

Darjeeling's calm face flashed in his mind. Her serene smile, her sharp eyes, her quiet confidence that had started to affect him in ways he hadn't expected. Adrian shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. Now wasn't the time to get distracted. She was his opponent today, and he couldn't afford to let personal feelings cloud his judgment.

"Let's get ready," he called to his crew, the engine of the Cromwell roaring to life beneath him. "It's time to show Darjeeling what we're made of."

---

Across the field, Darjeeling stood beside her Churchill, watching as Adrian and his crew readied themselves. She sipped her tea with her usual poise, her gaze never leaving Adrian's form as he took command of his tank.

"Are you sure about this?" Assam asked, standing beside her with a raised eyebrow. "You've only known him for a short time. A one-on-one duel might be a bit much for a newcomer."

Darjeeling smiled serenely, her eyes twinkling with a hint of something deeper. "Adrian is no ordinary newcomer. He's shown remarkable composure and tactical sense since he arrived. I want to see how he handles pressure when he's in command of his own crew."

"And?" Assam asked, folding her arms. "Is this just a test of his skills, or are you testing something else?"

Darjeeling's smile widened ever so slightly. "Perhaps I'm curious about both."

Assam chuckled. "I thought as much."

Darjeeling took one last sip of her tea before setting the cup down with practiced grace. "Let's see how he handles this. I look forward to seeing what surprises he might have in store."

---

Adrian's heart pounded as he guided the Cromwell across the open terrain. His crew was sharp, responding quickly to his orders as they maneuvered toward their first strategic position. Clara's voice crackled over the intercom, relaying Darjeeling's movements with precision.

"She's heading toward the ridge on the north side," Clara reported, her voice calm. "She's keeping to cover, using the terrain to her advantage."

"Just as I expected," Adrian muttered, his eyes scanning the field. Darjeeling's Churchill was slower but heavily armored. She would use the ridges and natural cover to force him into a direct confrontation, where her tank's superior firepower could overwhelm him.

"We'll circle wide," Adrian decided. "Stay out of her line of fire and keep moving. If we can outflank her, we can hit her weak points."

Rachel loaded the next round with practiced speed. "Locked and loaded, Commander."

Nina adjusted the turret, her grin widening. "Let's dance."

The Cromwell weaved through the uneven terrain, moving faster than the Churchill could hope to match. Adrian kept a close eye on the landscape, anticipating where Darjeeling might position herself next. He knew she would expect him to go for speed, but he couldn't afford to fall into a predictable pattern. Darjeeling was too smart for that.

"Clara, any sign of her?" Adrian asked, his voice tight with focus.

"She's moving slowly... wait—she's changing direction. I think she's trying to force us into a choke point between the ridges."

"Of course she is," Adrian muttered. "She wants to trap us."

He thought quickly, eyes scanning the map Clara had provided earlier. If Darjeeling wanted to push them into a corner, she would need to cover their escape route. But that would also mean leaving part of her tank exposed.

"We'll take a risk," Adrian decided. "We're going to rush her position from the left. It'll put us close to her, but if we can get in behind her, we'll have a shot at her rear armor."

Rachel glanced at him. "That's risky, Commander."

"I know," Adrian replied. "But if we play it safe, she'll win. We need to take the initiative."

With a quick command, Adrian directed the Cromwell into a hard left turn, speeding toward Darjeeling's last known position. The terrain was rough, but Adrian's steady hands kept the tank moving smoothly, his eyes focused on the goal ahead. His heart raced, but his mind was clear. This was his moment.

They rounded the ridge, and there she was—Darjeeling's Churchill, just as he expected, positioned in a narrow pass between the hills. But she had left her rear flank exposed, just as he had hoped.

"Nina, take the shot!" Adrian barked.

The Cromwell's cannon fired with a deafening roar, the shell striking the rear of the Churchill with precision. The impact was solid, but Darjeeling's tank was built for durability. She wasn't down yet.

"She's turning!" Clara warned.

"Back up, keep moving!" Adrian ordered. "Don't let her get a clear shot!"

The Cromwell retreated just as Darjeeling's gun fired, the shell missing them by a hair's breadth. Adrian's heart pounded, but his mind stayed focused. They couldn't afford to give her another opportunity.

"Circle around again, Nina. We're not done yet."

As they moved to reposition for another shot, Adrian stole a glance at Darjeeling through the narrow viewfinder. She was calm, composed as always, but there was something else in her eyes—a glint of admiration, perhaps, or curiosity. She was enjoying this.

And, strangely, so was he.

---

**End of Chapter 4.**