‘So, just how exactly screwed are we?’
‘How about you give them five minutes peace to think and, you know, plan, then maybe we won’t be quite so much.’
The carriage felt quiet. Not that it actually was though, there being the constant clack of steel wheels on track to prevent this, but nonetheless it seemed so. Absent were the excited conversations which had been the norm of the day and generally of those couple previous, now replaced with their antithesis. All twelve of the full coach’s inhabitants had been struck increasingly dumb the closer the train got to its eventual goal, forming into two groups at its opposite ends. Between these two (formed from the Panther’s crew combined with Rook and her still tank-less comrades) meanwhile one of three combined sleeping and seating births was unoccupied, leaving the other two overfilled. Furthest down the line the best part of AIA’s “rebels” sat around a five way card duel, evidently being led and won by the smug form of Helix, whilst their sixth (identified at some point as Dahlia) played around with a portable stereo, giving their scene a violently thrashing soundtrack.
‘I wasn’t asking you!’
Everpony else was alternatively ensconced at the carriage’s opposite end, making for a numerically matching but far less harmonious party. This was made perfectly clear by the rose pegasus and electric blue unicorn who sat scowling at each other out in the coach’s interconnecting corridor. Of the rest Coquette and Blossom took up the end of the cabin’s table nearest the window, wordlessly warring across a chessboard, whilst Dawn and Toffee occupied the rest with sketch maps and scribbled notes.
‘Well you’re getting an answer from me anyway!’ Rook shot back Split’s way defiantly. ‘Can’t you see she’s trying to focus!’
With a huff Dawn let the sheets she was considering slip from her hooves. Whatever she had been trying to do it was not going anywhere, little helped by the pair’s bickering constantly derailing her thoughts. Initially she had been surprised when the rebel leader had chosen to join them, minus the normal continual chaperone of Helix (although the other dark mare had visibly kept one eye off her cards and their way instead the whole time). This however had quickly waned into aggravation as the incoming artist and already resident athlete immediately started butting heads. It equally little helped that Split had in essence started their conflict, making the already difficult task of diverting Rook as good as impossible. ‘Toff, let’s review what we’ve got, and you two can act as a sounding board for ideas’ she decided aloud, without any better course having presented itself.
‘Happy to help’ Rook affirmed, her feature’s doing a U-turn to meet Dawn, succeeding simultaneously in deepening the scowl on her adversary’s face before she too mimicked the sentiment.
‘Okay, thank you, so let’s start with what we’re facing…’
‘And why they’ve got everypony so spooked’ Split added in.
Toffee likewise set down her notes before she began. ‘For our second, second, practice match we’re up against Hollow Shades Prep…’
‘Which is a problem because?’
‘It’s a “problem” because they’re the best team in the national league. They’ve been second in the championships for the past four years running…’
‘Doesn’t sound like the national best’ Split scoffed.
In response the farm mare just rolled her eyes. ‘Well Ponyville always wins, but that’s beside the point. Hollow Shades is a preparatory school mostly feeding directly into the military academies of the Lunar Guard. They’ve got fearsome kit, they’re masterminding their own style of tank combat, and their captain is simply legendary…’
‘Somepony’s got a favourite’ the sportsmare interrupted again unhelpfully, before a swift look from Dawn forced her silence.
‘Yes, they’re my favourite. If you’d actually listened you’d know that already.’
‘What’s this about a new style?’ In contrast the fin-maned half of the outside audience had much more useful input to give.
‘Yeah, you two have been going on about “the styles” for a while now’ Coquette added, in the midst of protracted consideration of what move to make next. ‘Could you explain those while we’re here?’
‘I’ll field that one for the sake of practice’ Dawn volunteered. ‘Firstly there’s earth: based around strength and brute force, meaning lots of heavy tanks and headlong assaults. Second theirs air: fluid, stealthy and defensive, meaning its aim is to engage at a great range or lay in ambush. Then thirdly there’s magic, which is harder to pin down. It’s all about sweeping movements and artfully constructed formations, kind of different from the speed focus in air style cos it’s more about massed numbers of vehicles. All correct?’
‘Yep, you’re good’ Toffee nodded, taking up the explanation. ‘The thing with Hollow Shades though is although they’re ostensibly air specialists it’s not so simple cos they combine it with shock and awe, casting aside the claim that the pegasus style is timid, but not as a straightforward copy of earth. They’re also well known for their willingness to use unorthodox tactics.’
‘“Unorthodox?” That sounds like code for they don’t play fair’ Blossom remarked, granted the turn to move a piece in her ongoing game and instantly taking it to her opponent’s dismay.
‘Not true!’ The driver turned instantly defensive at the hazel unicorn’s words. ‘They’ve been accused of that and far worse by traditionalists; that they cheat and that they’re ideas of creating a new style are presumptuous, but none of that’s true. They’re not afraid to fight differently, which when watching makes them amazing, especially their captain, but the idea of competing against them is kinda terrifying.’
‘Okay, so they’ve got better vehicles, they’ve got more experience, and they’ve got our expert scared. Great!’ Coquette came in again, needing the stolen time to consider her moves.
‘Pretty much, yeah.’
‘Grim’ Blossom seconded, eyes less than half on the chessboard.
‘Maybe so, but we can at least match them for leadership.’ Rook added a wink to her smiling compliment, eliciting another askance look from the pegasus at her side. ‘We know a lot about them, plus I might add that we’re in essence the new foals on the block, meaning they won’t have a clue what they’re up against. So what’s your plan in response?’
‘Well we haven’t got that many options’ Toffee sighed. ‘As a flag-tank match, although it’s hardly a minor feat, all we have to do is knock out that one vehicle. The problem is we haven’t got the numbers to play it too aggressive. It would be a major risk to separate our force for example, although that would allow us to go hunting.’
‘So defence then I assume?’
‘Yeah, it’ll sadly mean playing to their strengths, but like Toff says we’re not exactly flush with options.’ Dawn dug out a rough drawing from her papers. ‘Here’s what I’m thinking, but it’s only a rough plan so I’d really appreciate any input anypony can give. As it’s got the thickest armour I think the Rhino should carry our flag whilst the rest of us work on keeping it safe.’ She drew a forehoof over a simple geometric chart. ‘Moving side by side in a line it can focus solely to the front, whilst our panther and the Little Lion can cover its flanks. The Tornado meanwhile can take up the rear, forming a sort of T shape.’
‘So the idea would be to let them come to us, like we know they’re going to, and then bringing maximum power to face them when they do.’ Toffee nodded approvingly. ‘It’s as about a sound a defensive line as we can draw up with what we’ve got.’
‘You’re not really playing to Lens’ tank’s strengths though’ Blossom interjected, still waiting patiently on her opposite’s move. ‘Where you’ve put it it’s pretty much just a bumper shield for the Rhino; if she’s hit once by anything major she’ll be toast. She’d essentially be an extra life, but nothing more.’
‘True.’
‘We could have her separate from the rest of us’ Dawn suggested. ‘That way she could act as our reconnaissance and…’
‘…if they made contact we could move to engage’ Toffee came in, ‘or…’
‘…we can have them draw the enemy to us.’
‘Yeah!’ The two quiet earth mares celebrated their tag team planning with a hoof bump across the table, before remembering that they still had an audience and immediately retreating back into their blushing selves. ‘Oh… I mean that could work.’
‘Manestein and Pommel’ Blossom commented from the planners’ side-lines, obviously enjoying the further embarrassment the half-compliment half-jib raised, before turning back to Coquette who had finally taken her turn. ‘Checkmate.’
‘Oh for the love of Luna!’ Coquette pouted. ‘I was really trying that time!’
‘No no you silly filly’ the hazel unicorn countered with a grin, ‘I’m in checkmate.’
The golden mare’s face scrunched up in confusion, eyes darting about the pieces. ‘Wait? How exactly… but? Wait a minute Bloss, how did you…’ As her frown looked up to her adversary it quickly broke into a giggle, swiftly spreading like flame to engulf the whole group. Beyond the carriage’s windows meanwhile, the tired sun began to drop below the horizon, whilst on both sides what had been gently undulating fields was subsumed by dense woodland.
---
The platform stood empty, eerily so, as their train slowed to a halt in a vacant siding. They had not stopped in the town to everypony’s surprise, but instead had continued past leaving it behind, instead diverting down an empty trackway through the all-surrounding trees. Where they had now stopped had relieved none of their general bemusement, as they found themselves stepping off into what was for all intents and purposes little more than a clearing.
‘What, no welcome party?’ Ruby Necklace was the first to vocalise what everypony was thinking as she disembarked.
Loaded silence fell back around, whilst the last of the day’s light finally died like a bad omen.
‘Does “unorthodox tactics” include being rude?’ Coquette muttered.
‘No!’ Toffee replied, again in an unintentional defensive huff. ‘Maybe the council got the wrong day?’
‘Nope.’ Bluntly to the point, Dice was obviously trying to retain her blank drawl but was not quite managing it, an underlying hint in her tone belying that even she was suffering from everypony else’s nerves. ‘Clearly we’re supposed to go that way, so everypony mount up and let’s get going.’ She pointed towards the clearing’s edge where two out of place gates were set open. Painted black and formed from the spiky metallic facsimiles of woven rose vines, these fronted a track through the foliage rather than being set in any wall, topped at their peak by a silver crescent moon.
---
*crackle* ‘Looks like there’s something up ahead.’ *crackle*
*crackle* ‘Finally!’ *crackle*
The radio sounded strangely loud within the Panther’s shell, for once easy to overhear as its opposing engine merely hummed, the whole machine set at a crawling pace. Within, the static laden voices drew Dawn instantly to attention. In line behind Dice’s Rhino at their head, they had been slowly making their way along the chosen path for some time now, growing ever more on edge as time went by and no proof that they were even going the right way revealed itself. She therefore rose quickly up through the turret’s open command hatch, feeling both loader and gunner’s eyes following her ascent.
She emerged into the cooling air, just starting to chill as evening fell in earnest, although this was mostly disguised by the canopy above. For a while it was not entirely clear what Dice had been talking about on the coms, but then all at once the woodland parted, a glade breaking open through its midst.
*crackle* ‘Watch your heads. *crackle*
Just in time Dawn ducked, narrowly avoiding a sign which read ‘HS Preparatory College’ in bold lettering, hung up between two overhanging branches.
*crackle* ‘Looks like we’re finally here.’ *crackle*
Their column of tanks entered a courtyard, a wide flag-stoned expanse fronting a row of grand gothic structures, all dark brickwork, stained windows and glowering gargoyles. Nothing however moved. No light shone, no noise sounded, save for their own engines, which as one came to a halt. Hatches opened across their number and further faces popped out to join Dawn in her confusion.
*crackle* ‘Dice are you really sure that…’
All at once a series of low explosions cut all radio chatter short as a smoke cloud shot up in a semicircle at their front, totally veiling the school from view. Behind the plumes a hoard of angry power plants roared into life, revving higher and higher as the smoke dissipated, revealing in its place six tanks with guns pointed skywards.
*Bang!*
In unison the sextet all fired into the air and at the same time all the lights in the buildings flicked on like a flood, forcing blinding stars across Dawn’s vision. When these cleared the engines also cut out and cheering sounded, coming from a mass of faces which had appeared in the previously blacked out windows.
‘Welcome to Hollow Shades!’ The thundering voice came from one of the two central tanks, on which a silhouetted figure stood. ‘You can come out, we don’t bite! Much!’
‘Somepony knows how to make an entrance’ Split muttered, the first to revive from the sensory barrage, although it was unclear whether she was truly unimpressed at the display or simply feigning it.
‘Come on let’s go already!’ Toffee in contrast was far less reserved, pretty much pushing her comrades out of the Panther before her.
The five of them (driven most of the way before a farm mare barely containing her excitement) crossed the void between the two rows of tanks, being joined by Dice in transit. Their counterparts from the opposing school followed suit and soon they met at the halfway point.
‘Sorry for the theatrics, we couldn’t resist’ the leader of the opposition began in what would have been a frank accent were it not equally jostling with its own more songlike qualities. ‘We haven’t hosted in a long while so everypony wanted to roll out the fireworks. Still you faced them far better than some; a bunch from Canterlot threw a total hissy fit when we pulled the same trick on them’ she continued, laughing with her compatriots.
She was a night pegasus, marked out by feline pupils in her crimson irises, the membranous wings at her sides, and glittering fangs in her mouth. The same was true of ninety percent of her comrades at her back, revealed as they exited their vehicles. In contrast to the rest however she was extremely pale, ignoring the general trend for nocturnally tonal fur to instead cloth her form in an off white, akin to the colour of moonlight. Beneath this though, just barely visible on her slim form, she also bore a few swirling markings in a darker grey.
‘Anyway, as I was saying: welcome!’
She and the rest of the team backing her up all wore matching black military coats, double-breasted with silver buttons and plain box epaulettes. Their badge meanwhile, placed on their right sleeves, depicted a bat mid flap, except that it had been mechanised with feet replaced with tank tracks and a cannon emerging through its pointed jaws. In a word fearsome fit quite well.
‘Check out the stripes’ Split’s voice whispered just audibly behind Dawn.
The rival leader’s pointed ears twitched in midst of her bow. ‘Yes I’m part zebra, an eighth technically if you want to be all Sombrite about it.’
‘Oh buck, sorry, I didn’t mean it like tha-ow!’ The pink pegasus’ embarrassed outburst was cut off abruptly, becoming a pained yelp as Toffee roughly crushed her hoof with an equally uncharacteristic face like thunder.
‘I’m forgetting my manners though.’ The night mare seemed heedless of the background melee as she continued. ‘I’m Solstice, team captain, and who might yours be?’
Dawn found herself pretty much thrust forward as all others receded back behind her. ‘Er… that’d be me: Dawn Melody.’
‘Great, it’s a pleasure! Let’s take a walk and discuss the game.’ The night mare turned, gesturing to be followed as she took up a leisurely striding pace.
‘Okay, come on Toff.’
Needing no second prompt the other earth mare came into line and the trio set off down the row of Appleoosa’s tanks.
‘So Dawn and…’ Solstice began again leadingly once they had separated themselves from the rest of the group.
‘Toffee!’ the driver blurted before dragging her fan-filly voice back under control. ‘Sorry, I’m Toffee, oh and sorry for Split’s comment, she didn’t mean it.’
Solstice just smiled through the fumbled introduction, nodding. ‘Oh I know she didn’t, I was just messing with her. You’ve got an interesting line up’ she moved on, pausing before the Little Lion, ‘including machines from all of the style categories. Do you mind if I take a look?’
‘By all means.’
At Dawn’s okay the night mare leapt into a single flap and landed on the tank’s roof, peering in through the turret. ‘This is a seriously nice!’ Her voice echoed from within the armoured shell. ‘Cheetahs were a rare breed anyway, and this one’s dual turret means it’s got to be a prototype. How’s the double cannon handle?’
‘As you’d expect, twice the firepower but half the range cos of the lower calibre’ Toffee thankfully came in with an answer where Dawn had none. ‘Also you’re right about it being a prototype; it was the only one of its kind constructed by a subsidiary of the Trottingham Assembly Works.’
‘Pretty damn nice!’ Solstice reappeared and glided off the vehicle. ‘I might experiment with one of my spare Leopards down similar lines’ she mused gesturing to the closest of her tanks, its type making up a two thirds majority of those on display.
‘Those are Leopard Threes’ the caramel earth mare whispered, still acting as sage in her commander’s ear. ‘Middle weight earlier predecessor to our Panther, but hers are later models so they’ve also been upgunned with extended barrels.’1
The highlighted quartet stood with guns still at attention, sticking out from broad elevation mounts which consumed the whole front of their turrets. This tapered back in neatly sloping sides, coming to a point at their back where an added counterweight jutted out to balance their weapon’s weight. What supported this however were mostly flat edges, a flat faced box supporting the turret above an equally blunt hull, running on both sides on six road wheels in their treads.
‘Although they’ve at the same time left off much of the extra armour you’d expect, such as on the nose plate, in favour of manoeuvrability.’
The Leopards all presented themselves as quintessential looking tanks; however it was their paintwork which more caught Dawn’s gaze. Dark woodland camouflage was painted in rough splatters across their forms, but where Toffee highlighted a lack of added protection in contrast to this was depicted snarling jaws of predatory teeth in a bloody red gullet. Combined with the vehicles’ headlights like eyes the complex murals made the machines look like actual monsters.
‘Do you only have the four though?’ Solstice asked, her own eyes going to the fifth vehicle in Appleoosa’s line up, instead a tractor from which Rook and co were just disembarking in an unbalanced fashion having faced the brunt of the flashy intro unprotected. ‘Regulation etiquette would demand a five a side minimum…’
‘Sorry, please don’t be insulted’ the driver wheeled about and blurted before Dawn had a chance to speak, taking all present unawares. ‘These are the only four we have, we meant no disrespect.’
‘Don’t apologise, that wasn’t my meaning.’ Having sensitively bristled at the outburst Solstice quickly settled back down, calling what could best be described as an encouraging smile into her features, at total odds with her fangs. ‘I was merely considering your team’s future, as to compete you’ll need more.’ As she had spoken she had lead them around her own column of vehicles, stopping at the central pair. ‘As far as now’s concerned I’ll have one of my Leopards and one of my H-types stand down so we’ll be equal.’
‘UP-1 H-Types’ came the low translation, this time giving into its recurring enthralled tone, ‘as in the converted tank hunting version of our Panther.’2
At their base the pair were very much the carbon copies of Dawn’s own tank, except one had been fitted with a dozer blade and both like the rest of their kin in their team bore painted on jaws on a splintered backdrop. Above the interlocking drive and road wheels however the creatures abruptly changed forms, growing a fixed forecastle like their opposition’s Rhino, except smoothly welded instead of riveted. Its cannon like its less refined opposite was titanic, although less broadly bored still much longer, capped necessarily with a huge muzzle break and set in a rounded sconce. All its faces, even its stern, sloped at steep reflecting angles. This combined with its dropped height in contrast to her own Panther gave it a sleek appearance, making the term ‘pretty’ which Blossom had gifted previously seem far more appropriate for these machines.
‘In all honesty you could’ve showed up with half a tankette and we’d still have gladly duelled with you. What kind of hosts would we be otherwise, besides experience is supposed to be shared not hoarded so that everypony can have the chance to improve. It’s easy to forget, but this is a sport not actual warfare, and we’re honoured if we can help a new team find their hoofing. Plus, more selfishly, it’s just nice to see some new faces on the scene.’ Solstice patted the Hunting Panther without the blade affectionately. ‘This’ll be my flag-tank, which brings us to when we want to get started?’
‘Do you have a preference?’ Dawn asked, ultimately to her own surprise finding conversation with her opposing and (by Toffee’s description) infamously renowned opposing team captain increasingly easy, taken off guard by the other uniformed mare’s straightforward manner.
‘Well obviously we’d prefer an evening battle to fit into the school timetable, but that plays very much in our favour for more reasons than one, whilst I assume you’d all like to wait for tomorrow and daylight. Normally I’d be fine with that since we’ve already got a home field advantage, but for various objections that wouldn’t be preferable.’ The pale night mare slipped a bit from one of her coat’s pockets, dextrously balancing it on a wing tip. ‘So, heads or tails?’
‘Erm… I guess we’ll go with tails.’
The coin was flung into the air, tumbling end over end as it reached its peak and fell to earth, landing with the Sun Princess’ portrait facing the sky.
‘Hard luck, tonight it is then, although we’ll of course give you time to prep and stretch from your journey. You have got maps of the combat area right?’
Dawn nodded.
‘Great!’ Solstice smiled again, her gaze switching from commander to driver who was still mostly focused on the tank in front of her. ‘Feel free to jump up and check her out if you like.’
‘Really? You sure?’
‘Positive, be my guest.’
Gleefully Toffee was soon clambering her way up the modified Panther’s front, looking back for another reassuring nod of approval from its owner before she leapt inside, leaving the two commanders to themselves.
‘Your advisor certainly knows her stuff’ Solstice commented, turning to her fellow commander as the caramel earth mare disappeared.
‘As do you. Sorry for Toff’s nervousness by the way.’
The wave of a pale forehoof brushed aside the words. ‘You two need to stop apologising; besides she’s pretty cute with it. She’s not the only one though; you’re showing your nerves a bit yourself.’
‘Am I that obvious?’
‘Yep, although you’re doing a good job in concealing it I’ll give you that. This is only your second actual game though right, so don’t be bothered by it. Nerves are good anyway, they keep you on edge.’
‘Thanks, and also thanks for indulging’ Dawn added, gesturing to the tank hunter whose gun was now being experimentally moved. ‘She’s a massive fan of yours.’
‘Really? Well that’s new.’
The reply was a confusing one and Dawn’s features expressed that. ‘Aren’t you guys one of the best teams in the empire though?’
‘Statistically true, but our supporters don’t really stretch beyond the Shades.’ Solstice gave a sideways glance with a raised eyebrow. ‘I thought it was kind of obvious; I mean our uniforms are black, we like fighting in the dark, and we roll around in tanks decorated like monstrosities. We’re the baddies’ she finally concluded, ‘hence not many fans.’
‘What?’
‘You really are totally new to this aren’t you? Suffice to say that we’ve sort of developed a reputation as Ponyville’s dark rival, who will “stop at nothing” and “stoop to any under-hoofed tactic” in our pursuit of victory. I’ll admit the infamy does have its uses though; it makes scare tactics so much more effective for example.’ The Hollow Shades leader laughed although it was a dry one, coming to a stop as one of her bat-like comrades approached with a muttered message. ‘Apologies, but I’ve got to be off, oh and you can tell Toffee that if there’s time before you go tomorrow she can take the H-type out on our test ground, if she wants.’
---
‘She’s so cool!’
‘Toff, you’re beginning to sound like a broken record now. You do realise that the one you’re fan-fillying over is currently trying to stalk us with her gunsight!’
‘Meaning Solstice, the Solstice, could be watching me drive’ Toffee sighed dreamily.
‘Oh I give up!’ Split huffed, sharply spinning the turret as she scanned the surrounding walls of trees.
‘Allow me to give it a try’ Blossom offered, leaning across the Panther’s cannon to better reach the caramel earth mare with her words. ‘Equis to Toff, come in Toff?’
‘What’s up Bloss?’
‘Say Solstice does see you drive.’
‘Yeah?’
‘Then surely she’d be more impressed if she could see you at your best, if you’ve got your head in the game, and we give her a run for her money.’
‘Yeah… yeah!’ In an instant the driver refocused on what she was actually doing. ‘Let’s do this!’
‘Points Bloss.’
‘It’s all in choosing your words, something that you could do to learn’ the unicorn grinned to the pegasus on her left, enjoying the semi-sulky huff she got in reply.
Accepting this as resolved at least for the time being, Dawn rose to her hooves out through the hatch and into the chill of the evening air as it rushed across her face. As planned the best part of their force rumbled together in a line three abreast, their Panther holding the right flank and the Little Lion the left, with the Rhino (carrying the addition of a green flag on its top) at their centre. In all things the night was an agreeable one, pleasantly as opposed to chillingly cold, whilst the skies just visible through the thick branches overhead were clear, permitting a sprinkled dusting of moonlight. There was a tension in the air however, sharp and pointed, which converted the black forest into one of myth, where threats might lurk behind every stump.
‘Lens is checking in on the coms.’ Coquette’s voice appeared in the captain’s earpiece. ‘No sign of enemy yet, moving into grid section F6 and… oh buck!’ The earth mare’s voice in a moment became a shrill panic. ‘Tornado’s been hit, they’re knocked out, but they’ve got no idea where the shot came from!’
Dawn activated her throat mic. ‘Are they all okay?’
‘Confirmed, all okay. Silver says thanks, they’re all fine.’
‘Gotta be the Hunting Panther engaging from long range’ Toffee ventured. ‘Solstice’s gunner must be an ace to land a round through these trees, unless maybe she fired the shot cos she’s so…’
‘Focus Toff!’
‘Sorry.’
‘Signal to all remaining tanks’ Dawn ordered to her coms operator. ‘Everypony keep your eyes peeled on your sectors. We’re on our own and it’s likely the enemy’s coming.’
All voices fell back into quiet. Atop the turret Dawn raked the treeline in all possible directions, whilst beneath her the weapon mount swung back and forth as Split likewise searched for contact. Nothing. Nothing stood out, nothing moved for a long moment, but then something stirred. It was low at first and she strained her neck trying to get her ears to register exactly what it was, receiving a questioning look from Ruby on the Lion for her efforts. Then her ears caught it again, metallic, rhythmic and regular. As it grew it finally became clear: it was an engine, or rather engines, but in the unusual acoustics of the woods their sources were indistinguishable. ‘Brace yourselves, they’re coming!’
‘Left side at nine o’clock, closing fast!’
Dawn spun, feeling her gunner following suit with their weapon, just in time to see the enemy’s three Leopards break through the undergrowth, their fangs glittering.
‘No shot, our own tanks are in the way!’
Their adversaries could fire however, three shells striking glancing blows against both the Lion and the beast it was protecting. As quickly as they had appeared the enemy then made an exit, having passed in front and behind to slip away into the brush off the right flank.
‘Damn it!’ Split sent an ineffectual shell chasing after them but only succeeded in snapping a gnarled trunk in two.
‘Everpony increase speed, expect their next attack from our side. Damage reports?’ Dawn barked.
‘Rhino unaffected’ Coquette replied, ‘Tornado unclear.’
The team captain darted back inside to better hear what was going on. ‘Put it on general coms Belle.’
*crackle* ‘We’re fine, steering’s been jarred up a bit but we’re still going’ Crystal’s voice declared through the static. ‘No other… no Onyx your mane does not count as a casualty, who’s going to bucking see it anyway! We’re really fine, out!’ *crackle*
‘Here they come again!’ Split yelled, face glued to her scope.
‘Engage immediately! If we can land a couple of hits we’ve got a chance!’
*Boom!*
As Dawn darted back up she watched as a plume of smoke was expelled violently from their cannon, the succeeding shell tearing between the under canopy to strike the leading Leopard in the front of its left tread. The charging vehicle skidded, crashing into a tree with track unwound and useless. This did not however put off its kin and they returned fire, again scoring indirect blows. Although their own Panther’s turret remained locked on a second target a further shot was not forthcoming however, evidently not reloaded in time, instead letting the two remaining enemies pull away, only slightly hampered by new fire from the Lion’s dual guns.
‘Damn it, no chance for a second go!’
This time in their departure the Hollow Shades vehicles turned their turrets, firing to their rear on the move, again striking blows on Ruby’s vehicle. Mangled, the Little Lion faltered to a stop, glowing red.
‘Report from Crystal is they’re okay’ Coquette pre-emptively called.
‘Good, tell them they did well.’ Dawn took a second in considering her options. However she figured it they were little but grim. ‘Toff put us in the Lion’s old position, Split expect a third attack. Hang in there everypony!’
At her command the Panther slowed, ducking round behind the squat shape of its last remaining ally as it took up position on the Rhino’s left side. The moment stretched, guaranteed to shatter at the enemy’s return.
‘Prepare yourselves!’
Then everything stopped as a single titanic explosion ripped through the trees. Dawn’s eyes whirled to her tank’s rear and were despairingly met by the defeated form of their charge, spun sideways by an impact in its newly unguarded right side and belching smoke. Like that its matte green coat turned red and its flag faded into immaterium.
No!
---
‘Well that could’ve gone better.’
The five friends slouched despondent on the mud guard of their tank, hind hooves dangling over the side. Elsewhere the last of their teammates’ vehicles were in the midst of being dragged onto a transport trailer, requiring the aid of the tractor to shift their battered bodies. The scene just acted to confirm the fact that they had well and truly lost.
‘Total understatement.’
‘Excuse me.’ A light voice drew their attentions, facing them with the pale form of Hollow Shades’ captain, except now with the addition of a plaster on the bridge of her snout. ‘Would you all mind following me please?’
Taking a moment to look to one another and collectively exchange shrugs they acquiesced, following the night pegasus’ lead. They wound their way to the back of the school’s main structures, all in antithesis to the nocturnal one they followed beginning to sag under the weight of fatigue.
‘Wait a minute, wasn’t she in their flag-tank?’ Blossom questioned quietly, ‘which wasn’t the one we hit, so where’d her injury come from?’
Dawn frowned. The hazel unicorn was as per usual right in her observation, but that added no actual sense to what it meant. From the corner of her eye though she caught sight of a knowing grin on Toffee’s face, matched by the one they trailed. ‘What is it?’
‘You’ll see’ the farmer just mouthed in response.
They rounded a last corner and stepped into a wide open space. It was surrounded on three of its sides by repair sheds, although their gothic inspired intricacies, details and scale defied that simple title, centred on what was essentially a carpark for armoured vehicles. The motor pool was filled largely with Leopards, Panthers and their more predatory familial members, as well as a great many more variants which were as yet unknown to Dawn, all eliciting a series of silent squeals from Toffee.
‘One of the more correct accusations that we’ve had levelled at us is that we’re spoilt as Princess Luna’s pet institution’ their guide explained, ‘hence all the hardware.’
They made their way through the neat columns of the imposing collection, passing a myriad of camouflage styles and aggressive extra liveries, only Split really capable of putting on an unimpressed expression. On the other side of the expanse however the sight which greeted them caused nearly all to falter, including the flippant athlete, as they were met by a carbon copy of the one at their head.
‘Hey, congrats on the match!’ the second Solstice greeted, stood before a hulking tarpaulin-covered shape.
‘I’m sorry what?’ a wide-eyed Coquette deadpanned. ‘Firstly: we lost, but far more importantly: how the hay are there two of you?’
The two nearly mirror images, separated only by a single injury, giggled before the new one answered. ‘This is my very slightly younger sister: Equinox.’ Both then returned to laughing at the stunned looks they received.
‘You know when I said that the Shades were known for unorthodox tactics’ Toffee began at a whisper, the only one not in light shock. ‘Well, most famously they were unfairly accused of switching their flag-tank in a match against Detrot, when really the sisters just drove around in matching H-types and their opponents got confused about which one they were supposed to be aiming at. It was as funny as it was brilliant, and ruffled a fair few feathers too.’
‘Thanks’ the mimic now introduced as Equinox smiled, evidently catching the driver’s words despite their muteness. ‘Not many take our side on that one. They should’ve paid more attention, and learnt to read the rulebook.’
‘As far as our most present game is concerned meanwhile’ Solstice picked up, ‘congratulations to your team are definitely in order. You set up a solid defensive line which didn’t fold up even when we charged you, showing good leadership and a loyal troop. Above and beyond that though you sacrificed a tank from your formation to come after us! That took guts, slightly foolhardy throw the dice and see kind of guts, but they’re often the best kind. It would’ve been interesting to see what you would’ve done with more at your disposal, which brings us nicely to this…’ With a quick look to one another the two siblings in unison raised a forehoof each and heaved down the obscuring material. ‘It’s a…’
‘Hydra One’ Toffee breathed out, ‘the first of its class.’3
In reality the previously hidden tank was not much larger than their Panther, but still it seemed to be, looking like a fortified bunker on tracks. A boxier style of the Leopard Threes’ turrets in the background sat at the creature’s centre, capping a tower to the left rear and right front of which two smaller versions were set. All three of these mounts held two weapons, dual machineguns in the case of the smaller pair and two varying calibres of cannon in the main. Beyond these revolving positions the rest of it was mostly flat, riveted faces, its hull flanked at each side by a mass of twelve road wheels and suspension brackets. Like the rest of Hollow Shade’s machines it wore a terrible serrated mouth on its prow, but beneath this its skin was jet black, scuffed and marred all over, giving it an even more aggressive, battle hardened air.
‘Yep, an EH-1’ Solstice confirmed. ‘It’s solid, but doesn’t really fit in anywhere in our line up, so we’ve been mostly using it as a practice decoy. I reckon it could do far more in your hooves don’t you think?’
It’s your turn to speak.
All were put into a stunned silence, but Dawn’s inner voice forced her to fight through it. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Yeah.’ Toffee was the second to re-find her words. ‘It’s not a common tank at all to be giving away.’
‘True, but we’re positive.’ Solstice was all smiles. ‘It deserves to be better used, and we’d prefer it to go to those who will appreciate it for what it is. No formalities this time, we were truly honoured to fight you earlier and we’d be further honoured if you’d accept this’ she concluded and with her sister gave a polite bow.
‘And of course kick some butt with it’ Equinox added. ‘You can even keep our badass paintjob if you want.’
Dawn and her comrades found themselves fumbling their own bows in return, remaining off step with the whole experience. ‘Thank you.’
The two night mares rose. ‘You might want to give it a look over’ the older of the two suggested. ‘Additionally once you’ve got it back with you you’ll probably want to strip out its smaller main gun, it just takes up space as it is which could be better served by a third set of hooves.’
Whilst the rest led by the younger of the twins began their inspection, the two captains gravitated to one side.
‘Sorry about your sister, is she okay?’
‘I told you to stop apologising! Don’t worry about it; stuff like that’s an occupational hazard’ Solstice shook her head. ‘She’s a total speed freak, so she’s seen far worse. You’ve got a caring spirit Dawn, which I bet your teammates see far better than me. It’ll serve you well, so don’t let anything change that. Your gunner’s got the makings of a deadeye too’ she changed track, ‘to score a hit on the move against charging opposition, not to mention your driver keeping everything smooth to make it happen.’
You’re turning pink again!
‘Thank you’ Dawn just managed through a potent blush.
‘I mean all of it. Have you got family in the military?’
‘Erm… no.’ The previously cream mare looked to her hooves, trying to disguise that a nerve had unintentionally been caught.
‘Sorry.’ Despite the earth mare’s efforts it was noticed. ‘There’s a big school of belief that there’s a connection between blood and aptitude in this martial art, as in: pegasus are best at air style for example, but more than that it’s thought by some that skills run in families. In my case warrior traditions run deep, going back in my family tree to my great grandmother and beyond, so nature and nurture are hard to disentangle. Anyway, I was just intrigued; you show great potential. On a lighter note though, I look forward to doing this again sometime.’
‘Me too.’