Epilogue

Mayes Household: three weeks later

The Mayes household was loud with music and lots of conversation between the many people that had come to celebrate the victory that Friend Island had over the Terrorists, but it was mostly because Mark, Austin, Nonna, and everyone else in Hoja City managed to survive the attack. Drinks and food were made aplenty and a knock on the door meant the last of the guests had arrived. Nonna went and opened the door to reveal Miho, Johnathon, their daughter Anko, as well as Edward, Maho, and Jacob had all arrived.

"Hi Nonna, sorry we're a bit late." Miho said apologetically.

"Nonsense, please come in, its wonderful to see you all again." Nonna said giving a hug to the sisters. "Jacob, Anko, I'm glad you could make it. Cody and the other kids are in the backyard if you want to play with them."

"Thanks Auntie Nonna!" The two kids said then ran to the back.

"I need a drink." Edward said running his hand across his face. "That kid is more tiring than ever."

"Well there's plenty in the kitchen." Nonna said escorting the four adults inside. The house was filled with many of their friends, old and new.

Austin and Mark were conversing with Johnson and Butch, who was released from hospice earlier today. Azusa, who had bandage wrapped around her yet hidden under her shirt, sat on the couch with Carl seated next to her. Hans and Erika were in the kitchen already talking to Rivers and Naomi, most likely about the events that happened three weeks ago. Darjeeling had actually come with the guarantee from Nonna that Henry Johnson would be here as well, although Nonna had to order him to, it really felt like Darjeeling was showing some romantic interest in the American Sergeant and Nonna couldn't be happier for her.

Rabbit team, since people still call them that, were outside with Chubbs and Saori being the ones cooking for a change, minus Azusa of course. Tim, Pekoe, Rukuriri, and Andrew sitting in the family room watching the News, mostly reruns of footage and segments from the attack.

"I'm happy to see so many of our friends here." Miho said.

"Same. It makes me feel like how we were eight years ago." Maho said leaning into Edwards shoulder.

"I just wish the repairs to the warehouse were done, I need to get back to work." Johnathon said.

"The repairs will be done when there done, don't rush things. Besides enjoy the extra time off to spend with Miho and Anko." Edward said. Johnathon shrugged and smiled as he wrapped an arm around Miho.

"So? Come on Sarge whats going on with Darjeeling?" Asked Butch.

"What do you mean?" Johnson asked while drinking a beer.

"What do you mean what do I mean? Are you two going on another date or what?" Butch asked.

"She's... and intriguing individual and honestly I wouldn't be opposed to the idea." Johnson said.

"That's great." Mark commented.

"It's about time she started getting into the dating scene." Austin said before a voice interrupted him.

"Hey Austin, get over here!" They heard Andrew call from the living room. The group arrived to see a new section on the News being talked about. Apparently some anonymous military whistleblower leaked something incredible. "Everyone's talking about it."

"-From an anonymous source saying that these documents detailed the operations of some secret ploy to plant WMD's in Iraq by the CIA. The files indicate that the men responsible for the alleged ploy was an unknown Agent of the Agency as well as a crew of an US Army M1 Abrams the list of which we have here." The News woman disappeared and in her place came five photos. The names of the men pictured were as followed.

Reese Hollow, Jameson Durk, Ralph Henderson, Tommy Angeleno, and Cody Mayes. The pictures were of all the men wearing their dress green uniform while the News woman kept talking.

"The files also mention that these men were killed in the foreign country but this evidence says otherwise for the case of three of the men. We do, however, have confirmation that Private Jameson Durk and Corporal Ralph Henderson are deceased, however the other three are believed to still be alive and at large. More on the topic later tonight." The woman appeared again but started talking about something different while all the faces in the room turned to see Austin, angry, shaking his head, and tears running down his eyes.

"Damnit Cody what have you done?" Austin said.

While everyone else forgot the news story, more in respect for Austin, and kept celebrating Austin and Nonna walked outside and sat on the front steps of their home to talk in private.

"What the hell did he do?" Austin asked himself but Nonna answered anyway.

"He did what he thought was right. What more could he have done?" She said.

"Was this why he joined Kai? Did that bastard get the information Cody needed?" Austin asked.

"I don't know. All I do know is that your Brother spent ten years acting like he was dead and now he reveals all this. For what end we may never know, but we all must do what we think is right when we are wronged. Don't you think so?" She asked. Austin sighed and lowered his head, all the things that were said between him and Cody back that day, it hurt, but Austin didn't want it to be true.

"He lied, and now I understand why." Austin said wiping his eyes again. "But it doesn't mean I can understand why this was the way he had to go down. He exposed himself as possibly alive, at least with the evidence he leaked. The Feds are going to hunt him down."

"Maybe, but he did say that He and the CIA are in a fight. And remember, A Mayes always wins their fights." Nonna said leaning on his shoulder. Austin kissed her head and then starred into the night sky, the stars shining and the moon, with its intimidating nature, shown bright that night. A memory of Austin and Cody playing basketball, another of them watching a WW2 movie, Austin cheering on Cody as he and Uncle Sam won their Texas Sate championship Tankery Tournament, and one when his brother left for his first day in the Army.

Austin raised his hand, holding a beer, and saluted the stars.

"Good luck Cody, Give them hell."

FIN

I feel like I need to apologize again for the long delays that happened during the making of this story. At first I messed up the continuity of the story so much I needed to scrap much of what was written and fix it. More recently it was some personal matters that stopped me from working on this, but the biggest part was that somewhere along the line I lost interest in finishing this story. I think it was from me having to rewrite, what was at the time, most of the story and it really got to me.

So I'm sorry for the long pauses.

But now we're finished with Retribution, and I can proudly say that I liked how things ended.

I cannot thank you all enough for your patience with me this time around, I really mean it. I felt like I was disappointing you all with how long it took me to upload this thing and I guess I was scared to see people mention that in the comments, but I got the opposite. I got much support and understanding from you all and that means so much to me.

So, Once again, Thank you all so much for the Support and a MASSIVE thank you for reading Girls Und Panzer Tankery's End Retribution.

PS. There is a new Tankery's End project in the works, don't expect any updates about it for a while now but know that I feel really excited for this one.

Keep your eyes out for story update in the Tankery's End story proper for when this new story will be announced because that's where I'm planning to upload this new story.

Until then Peace and Love.

And Panzer Vor