While on patrol near the Panamare Canal, the CNV Shadow Kicker suddenly comes under attack from anti-ship missiles by an unidentified source and moves to defend herself.

Meanwhile, Panamare's President Bold Front and Defense Minister Iron Shield are returning from diplomatic meetings abroad when their pilot reports an unexpected danger over the ocean.

And halfway across the globe, the Griffon Kingdom seems to have become more interested in Equestria's diminishing military and economic influence in the Panamare Canal.

How are these related? Twilight Sparkle has been sent under the guise of a diplomatic mission with the aid of Rukh Gorkha-Kicker to find out. And they have to move fast. Between political conspiracies, deception, and corruption: these two are standing between Equestria and its first major war in a thousand years.