AN: Edited as part of the 2017 improvement project. Merged with first chapter. v6 (08/04/17).

For countless years, the single-sex school ship system had been a pillar of society, helping generation after generation of fine young women become professional and efficient citizens, develop their self-esteem and the characteristics necessary for motherhood. But cracks, long hidden, have begun to appear. Slowly but steadily, many such institutions approached bankruptcy. In the last ten years alone, countless schools have been disbanded and ships decommissioned. The system needed change.

The first change occurred when Kuromorimine was defeated by the newcomers Ooarai in the 62nd National High School Senshado Tournament finals, ending the monopoly rich girls colleges like KMM had. Due to popular demand and outside pressure, the Senshado Federation was forced to lower the tournament joining requirements, allowing lower tier girl schools and even boys into the tournament. This gave less funded institutions a lifeline, but it was not enough.

The second change occurred when schools started adopting a coeducational system. It rapidly became vital for poor schools, with Ooarai and Anzio being forced to accept male students from disbanded academies. Although controversial, it saved many colleges and paved the way for a co-ed ship future, with more and more academies embracing the system.

Eton Boys Academy, a boys-only high school based in Osaka, official expansion of the College of Eton independent boarding school in Eton, Berkshire and house of countless foreign and Japanese students had finally opened its doors to the world. In celebration of the admission of boys into the National Senshado Tournament, Eton threw an extravagant party, inviting all major schools in Japan, boys and girls alike. The Music Club played Vivaldi's Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8, "La primavera" as the guests poured into the ballroom.

"I still can't believe the headmaster agreed to this," said Wellington. "One moment his office is completely against girls on campus and the next he throws a party and invites every female student this side of the Pacific."

"Not even our good old John Bull of a headmaster can stand against the flow of time," Sharpe said with a snicker.

"Yes. If we are to fight in the National Senshado Tournament, it's inevitable we'll interact with girls," Castus said, all matter of fact. "Trying to stop it would be pointless."

"And you know what the best part is? We were short on members because nobody here liked tanks that much," Sharpe said, "but with the new Federation rules, the Senshado Club will be Eton's vanguard when it comes to meeting girls. We'll be the envy of every student on campus," he added, as his snicker turned into fully fledged laughter.

Wellington rolled his eyes. "Yes, I can't wait…"

"Now there will be no shortage of volunteers," Castus said, as monotone as usual.

Meanwhile, Eton's headmaster had climbed a podium and started what was certain to be a lengthy and superfluous speech. "Ladies and gentlemen. In the name of Eton, I welcome you to Her Majesty's Ship Implacable!" His voice echoed in the ballroom.

"Argh, must he really?" moaned Wellington.

"It's customary," said Castus.

"Not much into formalities, are you?" Sharpe chuckled. "You'll have to get used to it. You won't have the luxury of being so informal with ladies around."

"Oh, you're a fine one to talk! Castus will just do what he does best: pretend he's a statue – stoic and all. But you? You'll scare them all off."

"What? My cool and uncaring façade is part of my charm. You, however, better do something about that choleric temperament of yours."

Sharpe's words and grin made Wellington's brows furrow. "I'll manage, thank you."

Sharpe looked into the crowd. The room was bustling. "Hmm, maybe I'll finally get the chance to meet an elusive yamato nadeshiko…" he mumbled to himself.

"Beg your pardon?" Wellington asked.

"Nothing! Nothing!"

"Don't just stand around, chaps!" Abruptly, a blond boy appeared near the group, his approach having been masked by the crowd. His charming smile and good looks made almost every woman nearby turn her gaze.

"Richard? Oh, God, I had hoped the girls would keep him busy," said Wellington.

"Pip pip! Go mingle with the ladies! Do you plan to waste the evening hanging out with the same people you do daily?"

"Oh, heavens no! Perish the thought! I wouldn't even dream of wasting this opportunity to flirt with every high school girl that crosses my path."

"Ha-ha, very funny, Adrian," Richard said, suddenly monotone. He never called Wellington by his real name unless he was very serious. "We can't have every student hiding from our guests. Flirting or no flirting, get out there and make them feel welcome. If you're that scared of women go talk with those Russian lads from Gordost or something."

"Oh, the bears? I'd rather face the women," Wellington mumbled. "Although I might scout them a bit later, after they're drunk on vodka. They are our future opponents, after all…"

"Well then, get a move on!" Richard shooed them.

Wellington frowned again. "At least the headmaster finished his speech. Thank God!"

"This marks the dawn of a new age, an age where girls and boys alike can take part in the art of tankery. A toast, to Senshado!" The headmaster's closure was followed by a wave of applause.

"Well, I guess the ending wasn't that bad," said Wellington. "Where's Heinz and the rest of the Historical Costume Club?"

"Oh, those guys?" asked Richard. "They rushed to the Ooarai tables the instant they heard they have a history club too. Thank God they didn't come dressed as historical figures. I'm still not convinced you didn't recruit them just because they're obsessed with nicknames, like you."

"Those who know history can avoid repeating it," Wellington said.

"So you keep telling me."

"It's been months, Richard. You've seen what they're capable of. We've had this conversation before."

"At least they don't force nicknames on other people," Richard said.

"What do you care? You didn't want to be called Lionheart, so nobody calls you that."

"Guys, if I didn't know you were best friends I'd say you are a married couple," interrupted Sharpe. "You bicker like one."

"Touché," Richard said. Wellington sighed as he put his palm on his face. Then Richard noticed something. "All of you, follow me! We need to introduce ourselves," he declared.

The blond boy dashed into the crowd. Sharpe and Castus followed quietly, but Wellington was more reluctant. "Fine, but you start the conversation."

Only turning his head slightly, Richard gave his friend a thumbs up. "Done! Make sure you're presentable."

Wellington ran a hand through his brown hair. It was short, so he generally didn't bother combing it – a waste of time, he thought – but this was a formal gathering, so a minimum of effort was due. Compared to Wellington, Richard was much more interested in his image. He always made sure he arranged his blonde hair, despite it being just as short, and had his uniform ironed at all times.

Wellington wasn't surprised when Richard approached a small group of girls. "I hope you are finding the party enjoyable," the blond jumped in, a brilliant smile on his face. He was almost uncannily attractive and had a history of being the target of unrequited love. Luckily for him, joining Eton had spared him from any unwanted followers.

"Yes, it's quite lovely," said one of the girls. She appeared to be the eldest of the group. She wore her sleek blonde hair below the shoulder and gave off an air of elegance and maturity.

"I don't believe we've been introduced. Richard Stanfield, captain of Eton's Senshado Club, driver and at your service." The boy took a bow.

The girl raised her eyebrows. "Oh, introducing myself will be a bit difficult–"

"Because you're part of Saint Gloriana's Tea Garden," interrupted Wellington. "You don't have a name anymore. Members take on tea blends as soul names and eliminate their real ones – a small price for being accepted as a lady of exemplary character and intellect."

"You seem to be well versed in our history." The girl turned her attention to Wellington. "That is correct. I am 'Earl Grey', Tea Garden member and former captain of Gloriana's Senshado Club."

"Ah, we have much in common," said Richard to draw attention back on himself. "Allow me to introduce my friends. Our glorious strategist you've already met." Richard looked at Wellington, but the boy wasn't too happy that his friend was giving away information so easily. Gloriana could have been their enemy in the future. "Thomas Adrian Greenberg, the mastermind of our Senshado Club."

"Yes, while Richard uses his erudite social skills to handle formal leadership manners and nonpareil driving abilities to drive tanks, I handle the esoteric recondite arcana of strategy..." Wellington said, in a deliberately florid fashion.

"He's your chap if you want a good plan, or sarcasm," Richard explained.

"Friends call me 'Wellington', after Sir Arthur Wellesley, the Iron Duke."

"Oh, you have soul names as well? Marvellous. And you are a namesake of the man who defeated Napoleon, to boot." Richard gazed at Wellington, his smile growing. The boy looked back defensively. He knew what Richard thought and would have nothing of it. His friend had the tendency to play cupid, but it was too early.

"You flatter me. They're not soul names per se, nothing as formal as the Tea Garden, yet close enough," Wellington explained.

"And your other friends," the girl turned back to Richard.

"Gendou Sonzai, the strongest loader in Eton," the boy pointed at his dark haired, well-built friend. He was just as tall as Richard, but broad as a barn door.

"A peculiar name," said Earl Grey. "Is it Japanese?"

"My father had a very limited knowledge, but a great love of the Japanese language. My name is the unfortunate result of his attempt at a Japanese name, yet I hold it with pride. My team calls me Castus, though."

"After Lucius Artorius Castus, a Roman military commander and potential historical basis for King Arthur," explained Wellington. Richard gave him another look, but Wellington was sure he didn't want to go down that road yet.

"Fascinating," said Earl Grey.

"And last, but not least, Markus Krambeck, the best gunner in Eton." A bit on the slim side, like Wellington, rather than sturdy like Richard and Castus, the boy obviously focused on agility. His hair was short, like everyone else's, yet black and slightly glossy, and his gaze sharp and focused.

"Pleased to meet you!" the girl said. "I noticed your uniform is different from the others. Might I inquire why?"

Eton had a very British uniform, with a red coat resembling those used by officers in the Army. Most students wore the same colour, but Sharpe had made a special request to be allowed to wear a darker version, reminiscent of the black and green of the 95th Rifle Regiment.

"It is based on the uniform of the Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade. They call me 'Sharpe', after Bernard Cornwell's fictional character, and I try to live up to the expectations."

"Oh my, mister Stanfield, you have quite the entourage of friends," said Earl Grey. "And your sobriquets are positively fascinating. But you haven't told us yours? Do you not have one?"

"Of course, how could I forget?" said Richard. "Some call me Lionheart, after Richard the First of England, or Lowenherz, if you wish. Although my nickname didn't stick like the others."

"Such a pity, it would have been quite the title."

"You may call me Lionheart if you wish, milady," Richard said, his smile renewed.

"Tsk, typical," Wellington muttered.

"I do believe it is my turn to do the introductions. I present to you my successor, captain of the Saint Gloriana Senshado Club, Darjeeling." Another blonde girl took a step forward. Unlike her senior, she wore her hair in a French braid tied at the nape. A pair of light blue eyes similar to Richard's made the girl stand out from her peers.

"Pleased to meet you," Darjeeling said. "Allow me to welcome you into the world of Senshado. I'm glad that the Federation finally decided to accept boys into the tournament, but you know the saying: time and tide wait for no man. I hope we will face in many honourable matches in the future."

"Orange Pekoe," Earl Grey introduced another girl. Shorter than the rest, she had two braids tied in twist buns, but what set her apart from the other girls was her reddish hair, a sharp contrast to their blonde. "She is perhaps a rival for your Castus, the best loader Gloriana has to offer." Castus scanned Pekoe with a stoic gaze, until the girl glanced back. For a second, their eyes locked. Intimidated by the massive lad staring at her, she instantly avoided his look, flustered. The reaction made the boy realize his mistake, causing him to mirror her move. "And last but not least, Assam." As the last girl stepped up, her voluminous hair bounced. It was below the shoulder, like Earl Grey's, but frizzy, although not so much as to be unappealing, tied from behind with a black bow. "Assam is our best gunner."

"Oh, perhaps she and Sharpe can exchange gunnery tips?" Richard suggested. Sharpe glared at him. A proper British lady wasn't exactly what he was looking for.

"Oh, looks like Heinz needs some help with Ooarai," said Sharpe after a few moments of awkward silence. "Excuse me, ladies. It's been a pleasure making your acquaintance." He gave a quick nod and ran off. Assam looked a bit flustered by the boy's sudden departure, especially given its timing.

"Don't mind him, ladies," said Wellington. "His east European heritage makes him unable to appreciate an English rose." Darjeeling liked the comparison, a warm smile grew on her face, but Assam's expression didn't change.

"Did you know that Assam is quite the comedian," mentioned Darjeeling. Her plan worked. Assam suddenly lit up at the mention of her talent, but for some reason, Pekoe and Earl Grey turned white. Wellington had a bad feeling about it. "Do tell a joke, Assam."

With a smile on her face, Assam opened her mouth for the first time that evening.

"A man wakes up in a hospital after a serious accident. He shouts: 'Doctor! Doctor! I can't feel my legs!' The doctor replies: 'I know you can't. I've cut off your arms!'"

Darjeeling spontaneously burst into laughter. Wellington only chuckled at first, then unexpectedly broke down as well. Richard kept up his bright smile, as did Earl Grey, though hers looked a bit forced. Castus and Pekoe didn't flinch.

"I told you she's good," said Darjeeling, still giggling.

"I don't know about that, but I do love these types of jokes," said Wellington, unable to stop a smile from gracing his lips. Such an event was rare. Richard couldn't remember the last time he'd seen his friend with anything else than his trademark frown or a straight face.

"Must admit, never tried cheering him up with a joke," Richard said to Castus. "Didn't think it possible." Castus looked baffled and nodded.

Assam was positively enthusiastic. It was the first time a boy laughed at her jokes. Other than Darjeeling, no one in Gloriana did. Wellington wiped the tears out of his eyes and looked up to be surprised by how brilliant the girl looked with a smile on her face. Shyness didn't suit her.

"My stomach hurts. I haven't laughed this hard in a while," said Wellington.

"Oh, you should hear her other jokes," said Darjeeling. Everybody flinched. Pekoe turned white again.

"Oh, no, no!" interrupted Earl Grey. "We wouldn't want to waste her entire arsenal in one evening, would we?"

"It's not about the joke, it's about how you say it," explained Assam.

Darjeeling noticed Pekoe was a bit silent. She wasn't taking part in her conversation with Assam and Wellington. "Go on, Orange Pekoe," Darjeeling gently pushed the girl towards Castus. "See if their loader lives up to his name." The girl shyly approached him, but remained silent.

"So… err… how fast can you load an Ordnance QF 17-pounder APCBC shell?" Castus asked.

Pekoe's face lit up with interest. "You have those? Our biggest gun is the QF 75mm!"

"Aren't those a bit slow? They're anti-infantry guns, right?"

Seeing that interactions were off to a good start, Richard turned his attention to Gloriana's ex-captain. He moved closer to the girl and leaned in a little. "Earl Grey happens to be the most popular blend in Eton. I blame the bergamot oil."

"Yes, I favour it too," Wellington obliviously cut in before the girl could react. "Richard brews a decent cup, but his maid takes the prize." Richard clenched his teeth, but his smile didn't fade.

"I'd very much like to meet this maid, if I get the chance," said Earl Grey. "And taste her tea."

"Unfortunately, girls weren't allowed on campus until recently, so Lottie's still in good old England. But I'll be sure to invite you all over when she visits."

"She must have some experience if you hold her in such high regard. How old is she?" asked Earl Grey.

"You know what they say, never ask a lady her age," said Richard.

"Oh, a good saying," Darjeeling cut in. "I should note it down."

Wellington guessed that some sort of high level flirting was going on between Earl Grey and Richard, but it was all beyond him and he didn't bother to understand. The boy was obviously making sheep eyes at her and was getting a positive reaction. Wellington didn't enjoy the subtleties of complex courtship, but he could not deny that he felt a shade of envy. He finally understood why the headmaster was so against the concept of girls on campus. Add a woman to the fray and the men will tear each other apart for her attention. He hoped it would not come to that.

The hours just flew by. Richard kept talking with Earl Grey, trying to find out as much about her as possible, but Wellington stopped paying attention after a while. He didn't expect a conversation with a girl could prove so stimulating. Darjeeling brought good arguments in favour of infantry tanks. Assam would say something from time to time, but she was mostly quiet.

"So you don't field cruiser tanks?" asked Wellington.

"Earl Grey did. She preferred them," explained Darjeeling. "But I personally favour infantry tanks."

"Slow and lacking in firepower?"

"But heavily armoured," Darjeeling countered smiling. "Nothing can penetrate our armour."

"A 17-pounder can," Wellington said.

"Most of the opponents we face don't have something that powerful."

"So it's good enough?" Wellington asked. "That's what the yanks said in '43."

Before they knew it, the party was over and the guests started leaving.

"Everyone gets along so well," said Richard. "Why don't we do this again? Maybe the ladies would be interested in visiting us some more in the future. A soiree, perhaps?"

"Unfortunately, as an alumna, I no longer live on HMS Ark Royal, but I'm certain my juniors would be delighted," explained Earl Grey.

"It would be our honour," said Darjeeling.

After the girls left, the boys met outside. A bright full moon shone over HMS Implacable. Wellington contemplated the implications of having found a girl he could talk with about strategy.

"Earl Grey is one tough nut to crack." Richard sat down beside him.

"You did not just compare a girl to a nut…" Wellington retorted.

"Girls like her are rare… few and far between. I kept trying to figure her out, but I swear she found out more about me than I found about her. And she became less interested by the minute."

"Wow, a girl that didn't completely fall for you the first two minutes?"

"Oh, trust me, she did. She just changed her mind afterwards. Maybe I was too sincere. I shouldn't have told her about all my hobbies."

"You managed to do that in just a couple of hours? You just listed them, right?"

"Very funny, Adrian…"

"Don't regret being sincere. It's better you two find out you're incompatible now rather than later."

"That's… actually pretty deep coming from you…"

"And whatever you do, don't turn into a lying seductive bastard."

"How did it go on your side? Anyone interested?"

"I have no idea. We talked about tanks and tactics the whole time."

"Why am I not surprised? What about Assam. I noticed how she looked at you when you laughed."

"She… how did she?"

Richard gave Wellington a wink. "Take a better look next time, mate."

"So, how did your evening go, ladies?" asked Earl Grey. The Tea Garden climbed onto the helicopter to start their quick journey back to Ark Royal. "I've never seen Pekoe and Assam so talkative."

"I told one joke…" Assam said.

Darjeeling gave her a wink. "Case in point."

"And what about you, Darjeeling? I noticed Sir Wellington's futile attempts to make you accept cruiser tanks."

"You know what they say: women will have the last word. You could not convince me, and neither could him."

"Oh, you and your sayings." Earl Grey patted Darjeeling on the head. "But don't forget that facts are stubborn things."

"Good one! I have to write it down!"