*Boom!*
In the distance a plume of blackened dust leapt into the air, quickly alighting on the passing breeze, thrown up as a fired shell impacted roughly against a raised slope. Others followed in quick succession to their own rhythm, similarly tossing their own matching clouds into the dry ether. Before the hillock however, a row of targets remained entirely unscathed by these efforts, remaining defiantly at attention.
‘I think you’re still a couple of degrees too high off the mark. Try…’
‘Yeah yeah, I got it.’
*Boom!*
The Panther’s cannon roared, the resultant shockwave rolling through its interior and occupants in turn, meanwhile its recoil made the whole vehicle in all its magnitude bounce on its springs. The results however remained the same, a new earthy splash rising up through the first before it had the chance to truly dissipate.
‘Buck yeah!’ In the left side of the war machine’s turret Split fell back into her gunner’s seat, a heady almost intoxicated grin etched on her face. ‘That’s so bucking awesome!’ she more breathed out in a sigh than truly spoke.
‘You missed, again, for the hundredth or so time.’ Blossom, set in the other side of the turret, was far more down to earth, leaning across the weapon which divided the two of them to take her own peak through its scope. ‘You’re still a tad off; in fact did you even change the elevation at all before you shot again?’
‘Maybe, maybe not, I can’t remember’ the pegasus answered with a flippant shrug, still very much more revelling in the afterglow of her efforts rather than actually listening. ‘Go on, load another and I’ll give it another go.’
‘No way, not happening.’
‘What why?! The hazel unicorn’s short negative words had much greater success in garnering a response, one of immediacy in a hard done by tone. ‘Come on, I was so close that time!’
‘“Close” doesn’t come near to cutting it. We’re not even at our maximum range yet, right Toff?’
‘Yep’ Toffee confirmed, set deeper in the hull in front of the firer’s side of the turret, not necessarily enjoying being called upon to take a side.
‘Right, plus we should be able to fire on the move?’
‘Also yep, if we can get good enough.’
‘Right’ Blossom concluded bluntly. ‘So either you pull your hoof out and put in a little more effort or I’m not loading a single shell more.’
‘Oh come on!’ Split’s voice rose out of pitch, indignantly decrying the injustice. ‘It’s only my third time in a bloody tank, let alone operating the main armament, or any kind of gun for that matter, so how about cutting me a bit of slack here! I deserve a freaking medal for how close I can land ‘em already!’
‘Bloss is kinda right you know’ Coquette broke in from the opposite side of the hull to her fellow earth mare. ‘There’s a limit to our ammo capacity so every shell has to count for something.’
‘Of course you’d take her side; of course everypony would take her side! What about me hmmm? This isn’t easy you know. All you’ve got to do is work the breach and load the ordinance, with the help of magic I might add! Not exactly the most taxing of jobs!’
From her seat above all this at the top of the tank, Dawn watched what was swiftly developing into an actual argument. Truth be told it was not really that surprising, they had after all been rumbling around the school’s fields for the past few hours. They all therefore ached (as yet unused to off-road travel), were tired and were hungry, awaiting the break of a much needed lunch. The bigger shock therefore was rather that this was the first case of such fractiousness to surface. ‘Erm… Split?’
‘What?!’ The pink pegasus whirled round, her glare however faltering as her eyes looked upward to meet the cream earth mare’s, a pause which visibly caught all others present by surprise. ‘Oh, sorry newbie, what’s up?’
‘Erm…’ Dawn was as surprised as everypony else (although less visibly as Coquette’s jaw which had literally hit the floor) by the blunted reaction, not at all expecting it. ‘Erm…’ she dumbly repeated, ‘Blossom’s just trying to help, so it would be good to listen to her. Now, it won’t be long till we can take a break so let’s have a couple more shots at it. Just relax and take your time.’
Although not the most inspiring pep talk ever it had the desired effect, Split nodding a quick ‘sorry’ Blossom’s way, although less solemnly than her previous apology. The pegasus pressed her vision to the weapon’s sights, altering the barrel’s angle with her forehooves whilst she took the main armament’s trigger with a wing. To her right meanwhile the hazel unicorn ratcheted open the breach, fluidly sliding in a fresh shell. A brief pause followed, silent, and then…
*Boom!*
The shot echoed in the cabin, somehow loaded far more than those previous, calling down a following return to silence in its wake, held in breath on hold.
‘It’s a hit! You hit the top left corner, but it’s still a hit!’
‘Buck yeah!’
---
The space was cramped and closed, its walls pressing in to hold uncomfortably close, but at least for now with the engine turned off it was also cool and quiet. In this Dawn was happy that claustrophobia was not one of her many weaknesses, permitting her to focus on her self-imposed task at hoof. Deep in the belly of the Panther she worked her way around the machine’s controls, experimenting with the gear change and steering system. She aimed to work blindly, keeping her eyes focused through the viewing port in front of her whilst her hooves felt their way through the motions.
‘You’re pretty darn good at that, particularly for a total novice’ Toffee observed, set above the other earth mare in the gunner’s position. ‘Almost a natural actually, but we’ll see how you go if it’s fired up. Why the sudden interest in driving by the way, if you don’t mind me asking?’ she queried through a bite of half-finished apple, a small amount of unsureness slipping into her voice.
In her head Dawn made a sharp right turn, locking up that tread whilst she accelerated its left counterpart. ‘It’s all fine, don’t worry I’m still okay with being our commander so don’t fret. I just figured that if I’m going to be in charge I should know a bit more. If I’m going to ask any of you to do something I kind of need to know what’s possible. Thanks by the way for this, for giving up your break I mean.’
‘Don’t mention it, this is way more pleasant than the dining hall any day, besides the thank you’s mutual’ the farm mare replied. ‘You seriously took a bullet for me in taking charge, plus on top of that I’m really grateful for you guys letting me join your group, so if you wanna ask me to make this machine do a somersault I’ll try my hardest to make it happen.’
The smile was evident in Toffee’s tone as she spoke, bringing one likewise to her commander’s face as she brought the tank of her mind’s eye to a rapid stop. ‘Is it okay if we take it out for a bit, to turn some of this theory into practice you know?’
‘Sure!’ The confirmation came through another mouthful of fruit. ‘It’ll probably need a quick refuel first though, so if y’ give me a couple of minutes to finish this then I’ll top up the cells.’
‘No no, I’ll do it, and again thanks for this.’ Dawn got to her hooves, keeping her head low so as not to crash it against the armour plates of the ceiling, a mistake she had already made more than once already, moving to open and wriggle through the driver’s hatch. She emerged into the garage, also plentifully shaded like the Panther’s interior and likewise not as abandoned as it being lunch period might have suggested. Their four war machines stood in a neat row, with only the Little Lion unoccupied. Of all of them it had required the least work, as if had not seen service and the previous teams had likewise not made use of it. The cruiser therefore sat drying, already given a base coat of paint in contrast to the rest.
The furthest away in the column was meanwhile a very different picture. All in all the engineers (and in no small part Blossom on her own initiative) had worked miracles with the quartet of vehicles, succeeding almost unequivocally in firing up ancient engines and unsticking long since seized firing mechanisms. Elsewhere in the department’s workshops thicker and replacement armour was at the same time under fabrication, whilst a set of radios for communication, some of the most complex pieces of the whole jigsaw, were being rewired and tested. The Tornado was however proving much more resistant to their skills, in part because it was by and large the oldest of the bunch, but also because of Lens’ having persuaded them to update and tune the power plant for even greater speed. They therefore hovered about the recalcitrant machine detaching, cleaning and refitting parts on repeat, each time making unsuccessful attempts to persuade it to at least turnover. At any rate, for now it was simply thankful that they were available to help. Later in the term, when they would be forced to focus more on their end of year projects, such aid would be less likely.
Their final military machine, much like its exceptionally smaller kin, was also in the midst of repairs. Overall the Rhino was in a good state, excluding its optics, of which in opposition to the rest it had far more. In its forecastle’s roof if had four exit hatches, each of which hosted an associated set of periscopes, in addition to its cannon’s own sights as well. With these the two Nats were wrangling, polishing and realigning the lenses. Whilst the pair laboured a scrawl of decorations had spread across its flat faces, pressed into service as impromptu chalkboards by Dice. Toffee had identified their weapon as a gun-howitzer, meaning that it could both fire directly and in arcs against targets, part of it effectively fulfilling its multiple combat roles. Establishing and mastering effective trajectories however was easier said than done, explaining the teal unicorn’s need of her scribbles and diagrams.
Dawn, having made her way to a fuel pump, was about to get started when her vision was drawn to the garage’s open doors, through them finding the arrival of the school council. The four figures made directly for Dice, making the studious unicorn jump as they appeared unannounced at her back. Low conversation followed, as rather one side spoke and the lone member of the other party had to listen, her features cycling from surprise to annoyance, visibly making contrary interjections but in these not being heard. Then just as rapidly the greater proportion of the council departed, leaving Dice to mutter to herself and throw a few murderous glances their way as they left. ‘Listen up everypony!’ she shouted, calling all attentions within the shed. ‘Apparently we’re going to have our first practice match against Dodge Junction High at the start of next week.’
What!? But we’ve barely just started to get the hang of it, and all the tanks aren’t even ready yet!
Dawn’s panicking brain was mimicked in the looks of the others present.
Dice held up a hoof, preventing any of the oncoming interruptions. ‘Before you all start complaining at me, I’ve only just been told about this and no there’s no backing out of it. It’s a done deal so we’d best just grin and make the best of it. We’ve only got a couple of days so I also suggest that we organise some extra practice.’
‘Could be worse’ Toffee commented, having popped up through the Panther’s turret hatch as Dice concluded and turned away to her two compatriots. ‘Dodge is at the bottom of the national league tables, plus they’ve pretty much always been there.’
‘Still, do you think we’re in any way ready?’ Dawn asked in return, set suddenly on edge. ‘Can we really do this in the state we are?’
You mean can you really do this?
‘You’re more prepared than anypony else here’ the caramel mare managed to perfectly translate and reassure; ‘I have faith in you. Besides there’s supposed to be no better substitute as a teacher than real combat, and at any rate this is just practice; it’ll be fun.’1
From the furthest end of the shed an engine spluttered violently into life, soon rising to louder revs filling the space to the accompaniment of the engineers’ cheering.
‘Hopefully that’s a good omen’ Dawn whispered to herself, both doubtful and apprehensive, trying to conceal the fear which rose from her core.
---
‘What the hay are those supposed to be?’
The five mare crew of the Panther stood in a line to one side of the station’s platform, watching as a locomotive rolled to a gently grating stop. Behind its cab a flatbed it pulled with it was filled with a dual row of four shapes, only semi-recognisable.
‘Are those things actual tanks?’ Split added her second question with an even more detectably disdainful tone as she pointed at them critically.
‘ETTs’ Toffee answered simply, ‘about as basic as they come.’2 The caramel farmer was in antithesis without critique in her words, although not its usual awed self in the case of the machines, remaining politely factual.
‘Translation please.’
‘Tractor Tanks: very rudimentary light combat vehicles built onto pre-existing agricultural chassis. They were constructed in the Stalliongrad Machine Works during the city’s siege, so one it’s impressive that they still run, and two that any even exist at all.’
Once the train stopped further coaches along its length opened up, half their occupants making straight for their vehicles. They all wore matching kepi style hats, marked at the front with a berry symbol logo, the stem of which was lit like the fuse of a cartoon bomb.
‘There are eight of them to our four’ Coquette observed, ‘how’s that supposed to be fair?’
‘That’s their whole team. Believe it or not they’re even more strapped for cash than us. I’ve got some family over there’ Toffee added in explanation. ‘The fact that they’re all here though probably means that it’s an annihilation match.’
Three faces looked blankly back at the comment.
‘She means it’ll be last mare standing’ Dawn came in, ‘as in whoever still has tanks left at the end wins.’
‘Brutal’ Blossom nodded, ‘this could be fun.’
‘A tad dark and creepy Bloss!’ Coquette frowned. ‘I get what you mean though, this is sooo exciting!’
The first of the ETTs rolled off the cargo carriage, followed in turn by a chain of others. Each of them was smaller even than the slight form of the Tornado, slightly shorter and about half the length, whilst their turrets were set at the back of their hulls much like their Cheetah Three. Excessively riveted plates clothed their shapes, but they were still recognisable for what they were underneath, their rear sections rising where a tractor’s cabin would be. Their added armament, small cannons in rotating mounts, made these even higher, whilst their prows extended bluntly forward, evidently all engine topped with truck like exhausts. One after the next they rumbled past, their pilots invisibly hidden deep within their stern compartments.
‘Ahem.’
The quintet spun about, meeting Dice’s continually blank expression, a red jewel held out proffered by her magic. The gemstone hung from a chain, fastened to its finely cut edges by a bronze setting, itself etched with sigils to form an intricate border. Every so often it pulsed, revealing if not explaining the enchantment obviously held within. ‘Just don’t lose it okay, they’re not easy to replace’ she stated, thrusting the piece towards Blossom and forcing the other to take it before turning back into motion.
‘Wait!’ Coquette blurted out confused. ‘What the hay’s that for?’
‘Give me a moment.’ The hazel loader turned the unknown item over in her telekinesis, closely examining its elements. ‘A couple of these are ward runes, but the rest are hard to figure out.’
‘It’s for score keeping’ Toffee stepped in, ‘so we don’t have to, you know, actually kill each other to win. Hung up in the tank the crystal records damage sustained in combat to determine when it would be knocked out. There’s also a shield spell or something in there which will form a “bubble” inside the vehicle, which, combined with the fact that we’re not using AP ammo, makes this totally safe. Mostly.’
‘AP?’
‘Seriously Bloss? Even I know what that means!’ Coquette giggled. ‘I mean come on, armour piercing, it’s kinda obvious!’
‘Hey Dawn.’ Whilst the usually knowledgeable unicorn suppressed a blush from her features, not helped by a nudge and further giggles from her golden partner, another voice forced them to spin round once more, continuing their circles on the spot. ‘Hey’ Rook repeated with a smile, accompanied as always by her darker second at her side. ‘I just wanted to wish you luck…’
‘Particularly bearing in mind the gunner you’re stuck with!’ Helix interjected, intrinsically sneering voice taking on a new edge when fired at Split. The electric pink-maned mare remained unbothered by the growl she received in reply from the pegasus until Rook sent her a similar sideways look as well, conceding to back down in response.
‘As I was saying’ the navy unicorn stressed, further putting the one beside her back in her box, ‘I just wanted to wish you the best, I know you’ll wipe the floor with them. Anyway, we’ll be cheering for you’ Rook concluded warmly as she moved off, turning back and adding another smile as she went.
‘Thanks!’ Dawn called after the departing mare, a tad bemused. Looking to her teammates did little to provide an explanation, Split having become all scowl whilst Toffee chose to hide herself in focusing elsewhere as the last of Dodge Junction’s tanks trundled off the wagon. Blossom and Coquette meanwhile quietly sniggered to one another. ‘What?’
‘Can’t you see it? Little Miss Doom and Gloom’s…’
‘Later Belle’ the taller unicorn cut off. ‘For now we really need to focus on the match. Do we have some kind of plan?’
---
‘What?!’
‘Target at nine o’clock! Split turn and engage, Toffee stop to give the best fire position and hopefully…’
*Crash!!!*
Perched atop the hulking form of the Panther, half emerging through the turret’s hatch, Dawn was jolted by the sudden impact. Looking to their stern she found that the pair of Dodge High’s tanks which had been in pursuit had crashed at full tilt into their treads as they had screeched to a halt. The collision had turned the front engine sections of the two into mangled messes of metal, whilst in this only crumpling the rear of her own much larger machine’s mud guards. The two wrecked ETTs glowed bright red, declaring their defeat.
*Boom!*
In the same instant the turret beneath her spun ninety degrees and its weapon fired, the swiftly following shockwave whipping wildly through her mane. She followed the thundering noise, eyes focusing swift enough to watch another adversary as it was literally knocked over into a roll down the length of the dune as if it were weightless, coming to a skidding stop at the feet of her war beast. Without any kind of pause however three more dark shapes broke over the peak of another mountain of sand to her right, rolling on their suspension as the miniature landships crested the dusty wave.
‘Three more on the right!’ Dawn yelled, pressing a forehoof to the microphone secured at her throat. ‘Get us back up to speed and spin the gun!’
Beneath her the turret reacted at her command, finding its mark, and then its weapon roared, sailing its shell well wide of its target. The enemy meanwhile made their reply without stopping, two shots whizzing by above Dawn’s head whilst a third pinged off the Panther’s sharp frontal armour, ricocheting away at a wild angle.
‘They’re reloading now; come to a full stop and fire again! Take your time with it Split!’
The weighty machine left a furrow in its wake as it skidded. With a pause this time the cannon fired, smashing one of the charging adversaries off its tracks.
‘Throw it in reverse, then full stop and fire again on the next one!’
‘Shouldn’t we go forward?’
‘Just do it!’
Dawn braced herself against the hatch’s rim as the Panther was slammed into rapidly backing up. Their remaining adversaries fired a second time; their shells landing perfectly on target had it instead chosen to accelerate. One paid dearly for this mistake, receiving a glancing blow in response from the Panther, this being still more than enough to knock out the far lighter vehicle. The last of these turned sharply right, attempting escape straight back up the dune it had just descended.
‘After them!’
Predator and prey exchanged bellicose retorts from their weapons, all noise, angry noise without either hitting what they wanted as they both took up their pursuit. The cacophony of labouring engines reached its pinnacle, cannons raged in unison and they raced each other climbing the steep incline, zigzagging occasionally to avoid being hit. With its head start the ETT was victorious, heaving itself to the top first. For a fractional second it was there, establishing its bearings, set to hare away. Then in the next instant it was punched in the prow by something unseen, immediately sent careening back down the hill so recently scaled. In its place the unmistakable silhouette of the Rhino materialised, standing out with its brutish angular frame and massive armament, its howitzer still smoking from the final shot.
Dawn found her breath, catching it and drawing down deep the air which she had forgotten she actually needed. Her eyes stung, likely burned a sore pink rather than their usual lush green tones by stirred up dust, and she could feel a couple of bruises forming at her sides. Despite this however her being surged, even as the war machine underneath her slowed. As the Panther finally stopped a silence fell across the battlefield, the dunes they sat within turned into a pit of broken vehicles save for theirs at its centre. Then the cheering started.