EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA, USA.
17:30 HOURS, LOCAL TIME.
An airstrip in the middle of the Californian Desert,
Far away from most civilization,
Inside of one of the recreational facilities, a young man in a full U.S. Army military uniform sits, scrolling on his phone.
The man was Sergeant Avery Bradshaw, an M1A2 Abrams MBT commander just yesterday, requisitioned from Poland into the middle of the desert.
For some reason, there was some strange phenomenon happening back home in the states.
He'd just recently heard that an old M4 Sherman tank was being "appropriated" by the US Department of Defense from a museum showcasing it as an exhibit.
And now, when the sun was setting, he was finally getting called over to the main hangar for briefing.
——————————
Upon going to the airstrip, there was activity everywhere.
Men, materiel and machinery of all various kinds were everywhere.
A pair of F-35 Lightning II fighters flew over, their pilots gaining hours for the week, their noisy engines only adding to the noise level of the surroundings.
A C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft sat in the parking area, with men loading something onto it.
A briefing area was set up in a repurposed plane hangar.
Rows upon rows of metal foldable chairs were set up.
A few other men, in Army uniforms trickled into the hangar.
They all looked just as confused as he was,
They all took their seats.
Luckily, his whole crew was here too.
"Do you have any idea what this is about?" His gunner, Carrion said.
"No, I don't. Maybe it's another rapid deployment exercise?" Avery said.
" 'ell if I know, probably some NATO unit that needs a little teaching from the best." His loader, Lucas said.
"China might've acted up. You never know?" His driver, Daniel said.
A senior Army official got up on the podium, and everyone got quiet.
He then started to talk.
"You're probably all wondering why you're all here." He said.
"Well, you all know this man, don't you?
An image was pulled up on a projection
Colonel Zackary Beckmann, stationed in Iraq since 2003, since been moved to Japan, been there since 2019.
But you all should know him, if these reports are correct, you all should've been under his command as of recent.
As of right now however, he's the head officer in charge of keeping an eye on the Army's "Future tankers" recruitment program.
As of recent, the Future tankers program ran into some...... difficulties in keeping its strategic objectives met.
Which is why you're all here......
The senior official took a glance at the clock.
Ten minutes till go, at 18:00 hours.
.....Since we're short of time, you should all get comfortable on this C-5 the Air Force lended to us.
.....We'll be headed to Japan.....
You will receive further briefing on board.
Dismissed!"
Oh crud! Ten minutes!
But, going to Japan!? On such short notice???
What are they gonna do that was so important in Japan?!?
He didn't even know how to speak Japanese?!
No matter, he had to get on ASAP.
He rounded the ledge and dashed up the cargo ramp into the C-5 Galaxy,
And there, he found the Sherman that was taken from the museum.....
Inside the C-5s hangar bay.
Things weren't adding up. Had high command gone insane?
There wasn't just the one Sherman either, there was four other World War II era tanks jammed into the cargo hold.
These belonged in a museum? What were they doing bringing them to Japan?
"Sergeant get onboard we're closing the doors in five!" One of the C-5's crewmembers said.
Avery made his way to the top floor of the plane, into the passenger seating area.
Like an airliner, just, not with as high an emphasis on personal comfort.
Everyone got in and prepared to taxi.
————————
After a few minutes of waiting, the plane started to move down the tarmac.
The senior official made his way up as well.
This allowed Avery to finally get his questions answered.
"Sir! Why are there World War II tanks on this plane?" He said.
"Because you are going to use them." The Senior officer said.
Use them? Use them for what?
"What are we going to use them for sir?" Avery said.
The senior official sighed, and rubbed his forehead.
"I am not going to make a lot of sense here, but I urge you to listen,
The department of education has revoked all of your high school diplomas,
That means you are all technically high schoolers......"