Once more, Dear friends

"Charlie 2- 2- Niner this is Bolt 1-1 I have your smoke" A mare banked left seeing the green smoke as she saw a group of Imperial tanks moving through the open as she dropped the 200 pound bomb right on the lead tank dodging fire from the top gunner as she looked back to see the tank blown apart and as her fellow bolts followed behind her as the other tanks were reduced to scrap metal.

"Thanks Spitfire. I owe you a glass when this is over" A mare smiled as she watched the Pegasus from the tree line standing out of her Tiger MN6.

["Twilight you'll owe me a whole brew by the time this is over.] The mare laughed as they flew back to base to rearm. [Call us when you need us Twilight.]

"Will do. Thanks again Spit." Twilight sighed as she looked at the burning wrecks of the enemy medium tanks. ITD - 262 that were equipped to deal with her Tiger. They were part of the Vanguards new tanks.. That were fitted with high velocity armor piercing explosive tipped rounds. They could punch right through their side, front and lower armor. They had lost a entire battalion to them in the last battle, tigers included. Their armor was slopped on the front and sides while the back was flat. The turret was slopped in the front but more box like on the sides and back.

After the battle the Equestrian front was moved back being pushed hard by Vanguard forces before they were able to be stopped at one of the border towns after the Equestrian's were reinforced by Germane and Griffon forces with more than 12 divisions with the new Lion and Leopard tanks.

"This isn't going to work. The Tiger is no match for the new tanks coming from the Imperium." She sighed as the Tiger lurched forward and headed passed the burning wrecks towards their objective trying to take back the ground they lost.

"Hey ma'am?" Twilight looked down to see Tender looking up at her.

"What is it?" The mare sat down as they headed through the snowy forest. It had been three months since the disastrous assault on Eagledor along with massive failures across the front during the failed Operation Spearhead the Imperials were able to regroup and push Equestrians back almost completely to their border before being reinforced by allied forces. Now it was Equestria on the loosing side when it came to their armored corps. The Tiger was no match for the new Imperial Hydra's. It looked like the Imperials had captured one or more Tiger tanks and had studied them. With the Hydra's long barreled 88mm high velocity cannon there wasn't a tank in the Equestrian military that could stop them. Even the Lion and Leopard tanks had taken a beating from the Hydra's. With its slopped front armor and gun mantle it was impossible to penetrate from the front by Equestrian tanks. The Equestrians needed something new and something fast to win this war.

"What are we going to do about these tanks? We can't even touch them we're just scratching the paint on them for Celestia's sake. The bolts can't be there for us every time we need them." Tender looked scared as she remember the failure at Eagledor and nearly dying during the failed operation. They were still new to war even if it had been a few years since it started and right now they were in a stalemate with a few small victories here and there but at the most as soon as Equestrian tanks hit the field the Hydra's would decimate them with ease

"I don't know Tender I just hope the princesses can figure something out before it's to late." They cleared the forest and moved through the snowy valley Twilight keeping a eye out for any enemy targets.

Behind the Imperial front lines where the main command of the Imperial Vanguard was based for this region of the war was based. At the moment the generals of the Imperial armies were looking over the map of the battle lines just as the Vanguard commander walked in as they stood up hitting their chest in a salute.

“At ease generals. What is the current situation of the allied forces?” One general spoke up,

“Sir, currently we are pushing the allied forces back, due to the vast superiority of our Hydras, the allies are unable to stop our counterattack, soon we shall be able to break their lines.” Darkling nodded,

“When are our supplies due to arrive?” Another general spoke,

“Very soon sir, our supplies should be arriving today.” Darkling nodded and was silent for a moment before speaking up,

“We have turned the tide of this war, it was not that long ago it seems as if our defeat was imminent. However we cannot get comfortable yet, we do not yet know if the allies have any new weapons that can destroy our Hydras, or if they are developing new tanks themselves. One of the few disadvantages the equestrians had throughout the war was their heavy reliance on their tigers ability to dominate the battlefield, when it was taken away they quickly lost their momentum. But now we in turn are heavily reliant on our Hydras, one wrong move or disaster could destroy the advantage we have gained.”

Darkling looked over the map, “When we break their lines, I want all forces to be aware that their only targets are military ones, we are not burning or attacking villages or towns unless they have a large military presence, doing so in the beginning of this war is what caused us to lose much needed momentum and created the ‘Demons’ that have caused us so much trouble throughout this war. I want all of you to inform your forces of this after this meeting is adjourned. What information do we have on the enemy forces? Which army is defending which line? What are their strength, their numbers? How much artillery do they have? What do we know?”

“Sir. So far the enemy has held the line here. The Germane and Griffons own new tanks and are holding the line while Equestrian forces have pulled back holding key bridges behind the lines while Griffons and Germanes are keeping us at bay. We don’t know numbers but we estimate close to Regiment size for each section. Though the Equestrians do hold their air superiority and it what’s mostly keeping us from a successful attack” The Imperial Air Commander said pointing to the red line showing the Allied line.

“Is there anything we can do about their air superiority?” Darkling looked over the the Air Commander who shook their head.

“Unfortunately not sir, there fliers are superior to our own. More than once their air forces have taken out our anti-air defenses. They are very skilled. The Griffons and the Germanes we have a bit more success with, but not by a lot. But it's enough that we can fight them more easily than their equestrian counterparts.” Darkling frowned,

“Why did the equestrians pull back behind the front lines? Throughout the war they have always strived to be the fiercest fighters and are usually spearheading attacks, so why pull back now?” The Generals looked at each other silently for a time before one spoke up,

“It...Could be that the Equestrians are attempting to find a way to counteract our hydras and believe that until they can it would be very unwise to engage us head on as they have so often in the past. They have shown more caution ever sense the Hydras showed up. Perhaps that is the case?” Darkling was silent for a moment before speaking up,

“ I fear your theory on them looking for a way to counteract our Hydras is correct. I hope it does not come to be, but anything is possible. The Equestrians have showed us time and time again that they are very resourceful and cunning when necessary. We must not lose our momentum, what parts of the enemy line would you say are the strongest and which would you say are weakest?”

“Sir. on the far right flank there is a small detachment of Equestrians that are holding a hill where they provide accurate artillery using it as a shield for the rest of the sector. It’s heavily defended but if we could take it we could use it to bring fire down on the allied lines with our own artillery. It would be even better if we could capture the enemy guns since they can be used for many roles… But compared to the rest of the lines it’s the lightest defended spot and only has one Tiger company defending the area.” Grins a little pointing at a high hill marked 113.

Darkling looked over with an unamused look on his face,

“Let me make sure I’m understanding this, the Equestrians, perhaps the most fierce and clever enemy our imperium has faced in a very long time, has the weakest point in the allies defensive lines? And you want to attack it and try to capture it? Have you even attempted this before? Have you sent forces ahead to try and scout the enemy defenses? How do you know if this isn't a trap designed to lure us in? Look here.” Darkling points to the Imperial lines,

“If we were to attack them here what forces would you use? If you attack with your own forces and succeed, we could gain a strong position. However we could also leave ourselves over extended, these forces would spread thinner than anywhere else and should the Equestrians be hiding forces somewhere close by and they attack our lines would surely break and scatter, leaving an opening for the enemy.” Darkling looks the General straight in the eyes who shifts uncomfortably,

“Alternatively let's say this ISN'T a trap and we take it, we would need to quickly close the gap in our lines before the allies send aid or counter attack. Where would these reinforcements come from? Each one of your forces are currently spread a bit too thin for it to be comfortable correct? It would take too long to get the soldiers needed to the new opening in our lines. So tell me general, where you planning to attack this place and hold it before or after you brought in our reinforcements to properly secure our new lines? Were you going to coordinate with your fellow generals and officers to make sure to keep our enemies occupied? Or were you planning to jump at this seemingly great opportunity and hope that it would turn out well?” The general was now starting to sweat,

“Well general? What was your plan? Did you even have one past attacking the Equestrians with Hydras?” Darkling and the other generals all had eyes on the one who now looked trapped and finally spoke up,

“I….Was hoping the vanguard could-” Darkling glared at the general,

“So you were going to attack and then ask the vanguard to close up the hole in our lines you caused? Without even considering if we could afford to do so? Is that correct general? You planned to risk the lives our your own soldiers and all of our soldiers...On the idea that one, you could maybe take this hill if it wasn't a trap. Two, that my forces would close the gap yours opened and three and perhaps most importantly, that you didn't overextend your lines to do all of this….So we could have a single hill with artillery? Is all that correct?” The general was sweating heavily and looked very uncomfortable.The door opened to show a captain come in.

“ Sirs. News from our spies. It seems that Princess Luna with Major Twilight Sparkle are leaving the theater for Saddle Arabia.” He slammed his hoof on his chest bowing a little.

“ For what reason?” One of the generals spoke up as the captain handed Darkling the reports.

“Unknown but if I had to guess a meeting with their old allies about something” He shrugged.

“There’s also reports on Hill 113 you requested General Irons” With that the older stallion smiled nodding as the young captain bowed and left.

“Hm.” Takes the reports on the hill as Darkling looked over reports on Twilight and Luna

“I don't like this, something tells me this bodes very ill for us. Hmm….I'll have to send somepony to make sure that whatever they have planned won't cause us great strife. I'll have to intrust my second with this, can't risk this turning into a war with Saddle Arabia as well. Deadeye knows when silence and stealth is necessary and when to not blow her cover.” Darkling looked up to General Irons,

“What does the report say General? You seem rather pleased with it.” The general smiled as he looked up at the stallion.

“While my fellow generals are content to throw lives away for the glory of our Imperium I know we don’t have an endless supply of soldiers and equipment. So I had some of my soldiers scout the hill. Turns out there is a minefield surrounding the hill except for one way that leads into allied lines. The Tiger group that is defending the hill is Captain Rainbow Dash of the fourth Tiger Battalion. She’s supported by Captain Applejack of the Second Tiger Battalion while they have Wonderbolt and Shadow Bolt support on call. It would take a major offensive just to take that hill. The minefield alone would slow us down enough for Captain Applejack and her battalion to support Captain Rainbow.” He grinned at the other generals.

“However there is a way in since it seems that a small part of the minefield is open thanks to a Equestrian soldier telling us what we need to know. A strike team could open the way for the Vanguard to launch a small team to destroy at least the gun emplacements. Not only is it an artillery position is also a major Anti Air position. With the guns out it’ll take a while for them to be replaced and give us time to attack with our own artillery to soften up the enemy positions and not have to worry about counter batteries destroying them” He put his hooves together and leaned back looking at Darkling.

“Your thoughts sir?” Darkling was silent for a moment,

“This soldier...Where did you find him? Also, how did he give you this information? Did you torture him? If so how long did it take for him to break? While I agree that this information is quite fortuitous...Does no one else find it a bit convenient that we just happened to capture a soldier who knew all of this? Where they a shadowbolt? Bring them here. I think we should all have a chat with this soldier.”

“After an ambush we were able to capture one of the survivors. It took a while but we eventually got them to talk. I followed standard procedure and executed him as an enemy of the Imperium. From what we saw he was a staff sergeant that was patrolling the edges of the hill. My scouts are very good at what they do sir.” He smiled a little at that. Darkling looked down at the map and then up at the general. “Are you absolutely certain that all your scouts have reported is completely true and accurate?” The Generals smile grew,

“I am sure of it.” Darkling looked back down at the map and after a moment spoke up.

“I do not think we should use this information to attack the equestrians.” The Generals smile instantly dissipated,

“What? You can't be serious.” Another General spoke up as well,

“ Forgive me sir, but he's right. We should use this information to attack them. If this plays out right, we could take out both Applejack and Rainbow Dash. We cannot pass this opportunity up.” The other Generals all grumbled in agreement, Darkling looked back and forth between all of them before settling on General Iron.

“This is on your head General, I do not wish to attack them with this information, I feel as if something is off about it in my mind. But...I could be wrong and this information is completely true and very useful. If this attack pays off, all of the credit shall go to you and your scouts, but should it fail...Well failure is a shame we cannot afford right now. So this is on your head General Iron, is this understood?” The general smiles again,

“Of course sir, I take full responsibility for this attack, will your vanguard back my forces?” Darkling nodded,

“Then this shall be a great victory for all of us and our Imperium, if we achieve victory here, we shall finally be back on Equestrian soil and one step closer to victory.” Darkling looked over the map one more time and noticed something,

“ Strange...Why is it that one of our defensive lines is further back than the others?” One of the Generals spoke up,

“That is my line sir, unfortunately for some odd reason, we cannot properly set up camp in line with the others so we have to push our line back a bit further.” Darkling looked up at the general,

“ Define ‘Unable to set up camp?” The General blinked,

“Well the land is strange, sometimes our soldiers tents just...Start to sink and other times soldiers are hearing noises around them and even below them, one unfortunate squad even fell through the ground completely, the hole they fell through was so deep we couldn't see the flares we threw down. I believe it was a former mining location, or perhaps an abandoned Diamond dog tunnels. Either way, camping there is almost impossible.” Darkling frowned and picked up a nearby pen,

“ Do you remember where the soldiers fell through and how large and spread out the zone we cannot camp is?” The general nodded and traced his hoof along the areas, Darkling circling the worst places and drawing lines over the entire specified area. Within a few minutes the whole area was carved out and all the Generals could only stare at what they were looking at. It was a vast underground mining system, stretching for miles, even running as far as going slightly behind the Equestrian hill, with possible openings along multiple routes.

“If...This map we have is correct we have a way to smuggle forces right past the equestrian lines and strike them from behind!” One general exclaimed, Darkling then had a grim look on his face,

“Or perhaps the enemy has the ability to strike us from behind if our lines extend past these tunnels. These tunnels are expansive enough to house a whole battalion at least...If the allies know of these tunnels then if we charge forward…” Another general spoke up,

“ We would give them the ability to hit us from behind, we must secure those tunnels, they could either be a great boon to us or our worst nightmare. They have to be taken and secured now this meeting is adjourned, prepare your forces.”

“It will be done sir.” Irons smiled as he stood up thumping his hoof to his chest.

“ By your leave sir” One of the other general said.

Darkling and the other generals leave the building one by one. Darkling walks over to the vanguard secor of camp and finds Deadeye cleaning her sniper rifle,

“I have a mission for you Deadeye.” Deadeye looks up and puts the rag she was using down, “What is the mission sir?” Darkling handed her the reports on Twilight and Luna,

“ Twilight and Princess Luna have gone to Saddle Arabia, I want you to go there as well and find out what they are doing there and why. If you can stop it, do so. But do not under any circumstances engage those two, together or apart, they are too powerful for you alone.” Deadeye nods,

“Understood sir. I will arrange for my transportation and for Imperial Intelligence to give me a new identity for my mission. I will not fail you sir.” Darkling nods and turns over towards his soldiers and informs them of the tunnels and what's to come before they begin preparation, while Deadeye gets on board a truck and begins to heads back to the imperium, towards her next mission.