Once more, Dear friends

*Saddle Arabia*

Princess Luna and Twilight moved through the dusty city streets before coming to the palace where they were met by Sheik Abal and Prince Kassad.

“Greetings Prince Kassad, Sheik Abal.” Luna smiled as they bowed to each other slightly.

“Greetings Princess Luna, it has been far too long since you or your sister has visited here. Last time you were here was long before the war began, nonetheless it is good to see you once again. Though I wish it were under more...Peaceful circumstances.”

“Indeed. We wished to talk to you about the Sheir tank? We are in desperate need of something to replace our Tigers that is affordable and push back our enemy before they overwhelm us again. Could we come inside to discuss this more?” She over to Twilight who was watching the rooftops for enemies something the two arabians seemed to take notice of.

“Ms. Sparkle there is no war here. You may relax.” Kassad smiled at her as she stared at a window

“ Sorry just old habits.” She looked away and to the princes with a small smile.

Unknown to them a mare watched them with a scope from the window and eyed the unicorn closely. The mare was from the Imperium and the right hand of the Vanguard.

“This is Deadeye checking in, the Princess and Major Sparkle are currently meeting the Sheik and the prince. Over” The mare was in a well furnished room, to the untrained eye it would appear to be a normal home, but under the surface was a safe house for Imperial agents either on route to their missions or to rest and recover.

“Roger that ma'am, agents are all in place as well and report no signs of anyone, pony or otherwise being suspicious of them. The operation is secure for the moment. Over.” The female sounding voice belonged to an agent known on as Ciper 3, a shadow operative for the Imperium. Cipers where ponies taken by Intelligence at a very young age, usually orphans and trained in assassination, sabotage, infiltration and even in some cases seduction. Most don't even know they exist, those who do are either among the most trusted of the high command, or royalty. If one did learn about them who was not approved or trusted enough, they often went missing in a matter of days.

“Understood Ciper 3, continue operations as normal. I will continue observations and let you know of any developments.Radio silence unless something major happens. Over.” Deadeye then shut off her radio and turned back to the Equestrians and the Arabians.

*Palace Meeting Room*

“ We are sorry to come to you like this Abal but we need your help in whatever way you can provide.” She sipped her tea while Twilight just stared at it before looking at the two rulers.

“It is no trouble at all my friends. Our two nations have always been friendly to each other, Long ago Princess Luna and her sister, helped my ancestors during a succession crisis that nearly destroyed us. It is only fair that we in turn help you now, we can supply you with the tanks you seek. But you must pay for them unfortunately, if we were to simply give them to you it would make us appear to be allied with you against the Imperium. While they have not invaded us in centuries, we have had our share of conflicts, both internal and external. I do not wish to drag my subjects into another war unless absolutely necessary.” The prince sipped his tea and let out a sigh.

“I recall a time when I romanticized war and conflict as many do in their youth, then I saw a true battlefield. So many dead, some mangled, others face contorted in anger or fear, others looking like in their last moments weeping. I have never forgotten that.”

“Indeed. I had hoped that war would never find Equestria again but it seems mine and my sister's wishes were just that, wishes that would never come true.” She sighed looking into her tea.

“But we can’t dwell on the past. This Sheir tank that you’ve talked about in your letters. Could we perhaps see it and its performance?” Luna looked at Abal curiously.

“We brought Major Twilight to also oversee the tanks performance. Major.” Luna looked at mare who looked up from her tea.

“Yes ma’am. The Imps have a new tank that punches right through our Tiger tanks from any direction. We need something that can punch through their front armor at a distance of a mile and can bounce 88mm rounds at the front.” She sipped her tea and frowned.

“To sweet.” Sighs as she looked at Kassad.

“You have anything like that?”

Kassad was silent for a moment as if deep in thought,

“I believe we do, it should be able to do as you ask. There is only one problem, it is not easy to produce. Let alone mass produce to properly equip your armies with them, your elite forces surely. But not enough to equip a majority.”

“If we provide the resources could you carry orders for our forces? And how many could you equip our forces with now? We have fives divisions that need them now. From there we can produce them after some training.” Luna looked at both leaders and then Twilight who nodded.

“Indeed we could fill as many orders as you need so long as you provide the resources and transport for the equipment. We will also need help if you are wanting to replace all of you tanks.” He let his head rest over his hoof as he looked at the two mares.

“That sounds ideal. We have to many variants of armor as it is and our own resources are starting to get thin. If you would, could you show the major the tanks? I’d like to catch up with Abal.” Smiles softly as the mare who nodded.

“Certainly, come Major Sparkle. The tanks are not far away from here.” The price stood up a motioned for her to follow with a smile on his face. Twilight rose up and stretched a bit and followed him. A few moments later they were walking down a great hall with several guards flanking them just in case.

“One big issues the tanks used to face was the engine. At one point it was so bad that 80% of them were in maintenance, making them cost more to maintain that it was make them. Sense then we have replaced the engine with a newer more efficient model. As a result the tanks no longer require the huge amount of maintenance they once did.”

“I take it you replaced the engine completely then?” She was watching the buildings across the street.

“Yes, we had to. The engines were just not viable, since then the tanks have become much more effective and efficient. We will be coming up on the main storage are soon….Is something wrong Major?”

“I don’t know… Call me paranoid, I’m watching for snipers Prince Kassad.” She looked at him as they saw a tank pull up and the crew scramble out and standing at attention.

“They seem well trained.” She watched them closely as they walked up to them.

“They are, we've run many, many drills with them. They have to be ready to deploy at any moment and be ready to react to surprise attacks. More often than not our enemies prefer hit and run tactics over direct engagements. And so, we train them to be prepared for those.”

“Impressive.” She walked up to the tankers standing in front of them.

“You, what can you tell me of this tank? In detail.” The stallion saluted puffing his chest out.

“ The Shir 2 has a diesel powered engine that has a on road max speed of 30 mph and 24 off road and a 310 mile operational range with a 120mm main gun. The main rounds are HESH and Sabot rounds, it weighs 62 tons and has two secondary machine guns around the the mantel and two that can be installed on the top hatches ma’am.” She nodded smiling at that as she looked at the tank.

“Can we take it for a ride Prince Kassad. I want to see how the tank handles” Looks back at the stallion.

“Of course, be careful however outside the city, we have recently had issues with rebel factions and while we have destroyed most of their military strength and purged their influence in our cities, there are some scattered remnants that attempt to ambush groups leaving our cities. They hide in the deserts or blend into wandering tribes, so it's very difficult to find them. Their leader is thankfully dead now, but his followers are still a problem.”

“All the better if we take a few down if we encounter them. Will you be joining us?” The crew climbed in as she hopped on the top and looked down at the prince.

“I'm afraid not, I have some business to take care of today, all I ask is you be careful. I have heard rumors that the rebels have captured a Shir tank, albeit a mark one. So do be careful out there.”

She nodded at that as she was handed a helmet and they rolled out of the compound heading out of the city. From the window they were watched as the mare radioed what was happening.

“This is Deadeye, I have news. Major Sparkle is taking a Arabian Shir mark 2 tank out to see its performance. I believe this is a good opportunity to see its effectiveness for ourselves. Cipher 3, is there any contacts you have that could arrange a little incident for us? Over.” The radio cracked for a second,

“Yes ma'am, I have some contacts with rebel remnant groups. One claims to have a tank and ammunition for it, even fuel and a proper maintenance for it. I am not sure how they did this, but they would jump at this opportunity, they despise any ally to the royal family and have proven time and again they would kill themselves rather than be captured. Should I contact them and tell them about this? Over.” Deadeye was quiet for a second.

“Yes, if the rebels succeed in destroying the tank, we lose a dangerous enemy. If they fail, we will learn of any flaws or weakness the tanks have. Contact them immediately Cipher. Offer them a large payout for this, large enough that they will be able to rebuild themselves and become a thorn in the royals side once again. Over.” The radio cut out immediately and Deadeye watched the tank leave the city before closing the blinds and walking out the room.

*Hidden Rebel Base*

“Sir, the radio is receiving a signal, should we answer this?” A young dark brown horse looked at an middle aged stallion who was looking over at map.

“Who is it?” The young stallion checked the signal and cross referenced it from the multiple ones listed,

“Sir I believe it is...Imperial Intelligence? They haven't contacted us in...Well years sir, not sense they helped us with the failed rebellion years ago.”

“What do they want? Are they going to help us take these infidels out of our homeland? Or do our old allies need something of us?” He smiled a little getting up following the stallion to the radio tent. The young stallion picked up the receiver and handed it to his commander,

“Here you are sir. The voice said it would only speak to our leader.” The older stallion took the receiver putting it to his ear.

“This is General Madul who is this?” There was a moment of silence,

“This is Cipher 3. Last we talked Madul, you were but a lowly officer. You certainly have risen high sense those days.” The stallion smiled at the radio and leaned back in his chair motioning for the others to leave.

“Ciper 3. It’s been too long my dear, has the Imperium come to aid us again? Or do you need us this time?” He shifted his weight to the side grinning wider.

“Both, Intelligence is prepared to give you a very large payout, large enough to buy as many weapons and ammunition as well as the necessary supplies you need to rebuild. For...Dealing with a certain target of interest to us. This is also one you will be very interested in Madul. They are a close friend to the royals themselves. And as an added bonus are currently with royal soldiers outside of the city walls.”

“Is that right? Where are the infidels? We will make them all suffer” He growled at that as hate filled him.

“They have just left the capitol, they have gone out of the northern gates and are currently three miles away, if you strike now they will be exposed and far enough away that they won't be able to call for help.”

“Consider it done my dear and I assume the money and weapons will be at the old pick up?” He smiles a little as he motioned for his troops to move out pointing to a map on the wall as they nodded rushing out.

“Do you need the head of this target of yours or would a photo do?” There was a moment of silence from Cipher 3

“If you kill the target, bring whatever you wish as confirmation. If you somehow succeed in capturing her, we will double the payout. But this is not recommended, your target is a very deadly adversary with experience in the field. Killing them is far safer, the payout will be in the old place. If you succeed, come there yourself and bring your proof with you. Then you can collect your payout and return.”

“Very well. I will see you then my dear.” He smiled hanging up the receiver and rushed out with his soldiers.

*Conucs Road*

Twilight and the arabians kept an eye out as they moved through the desert kicking up a cloud of dust, the gunner saw something in the distance, but couldn't make out what it was. After a moment as they started to get closer and more clear he realized what it was.

“Ma’am we have rebels incoming. It looks like just one group on hoof, most likely setting up mines for an ambush, but where there is one group, there are always more.”

“Have they spotted us?” She pulled up and looked through her binoculars at them digging into the sand.

“I do not think so, but it's odd that they are doing this during the day. Mining major roads and placing them is normal for the rebels, but not in broad daylight. Something is amiss or perhaps these ones are simply less intelligent than most.” She looked around putting the binoculars away from her face and listened closely.

“HARD LEFT AND BACK! BRING THE TURRET AROUND 30 DEGREES LEFT!” She roared as they pulled back and off the road bringing the turret to a dune just as the crew saw another tank’s main gun cresting the dune.

“TARGET TANK! LOAD AP!” The bottom of the tank was shown as the cannon raised up.

“FIRE!!!” The a bright flash went off as she watched a hole punch through the bottom and just as the tank crested the dune before coming down while the crew reloaded.

“FIRE!!!” The tank rocked back again and another hole appeared through the commanders hatch.

“Maam! We have a problem 2 more groups of rebels, one to our left and one to our south, they are closing in fast and are mobile. I think they are saboteurs attempting to get close and use explosives to take out the tank!”

“Turn the turret to the first group! Load HESH, man the MG and don’t let them get close pull back and East and let them come to us!” The engine roared as it pulled back a cloud of smoke billowing over it as more was popped in front of it creating a smoke screen around them as they pulled back further away from the road they could hear yelling and then dozens of rebels screaming towards them with rifles firing as the main gun fired blowing a few of the first group away as the turret MGs opened up cutting more and more of them down as the second group came from their right firing and screaming at them only to be met as well by MG fire cutting them down as the last group came in hurling grenades that exploded nearby coming from behind the knocked out mark 1 tank as Twilight and the tank commander opened fire with rifle and MG fire.

“Ma'am, we’ve killed most of the rebels. I believe their commanding officer is nearby in the tank. If we could capture him we could learn the location of the rebel base. In addition the rebels that have attacked us have been a group that has been harassing our soldiers for quite some time in this area. This will help stabilize the area and weaken the rebel remnants severely.”

“Alright once the rest is down I need two to come with me and secure the tank.” She reloaded her rifle and fired into the last of the rebels before they moved to the smoking tank.

Twilight and two others moved toward the tank weapons drawn as she climbed on the top as she pulled open the commanders hatch and saw the bottom half of a stallion the upper half been blown away by the sabot round before opening the gunners and seeing a stallion who flinched and raised his hooves whimpering.

“Please… “ The two tankers with her nodded as she pulled him out of the tank and threw him into the sand.

“He’s all yours.” She looked up as a few more tanks towards them with Princess Luna on top of one as she shot towards the mare.

“ Twilight! Are you alright!?” She looked the mare over seeing a few scrapes and bruises while a truck and armored car moved up and spotted the rebel leader as Kassad came out of the armored car along with Sheik Abal.

“Major Sparkle, are you alright? We heard from our spies that the rebels set up an ambush nearby. We immediately called in reinforcements to assist you.” Kassad was looking around the battlefield for any rebel survivors possibly playing dead.

“I'm fine really. Just a few nicks and scrapes. I think we found somepony that you’ve been looking for.” She smiled at him moving out of the way to show the rebel commander.

“So we finally meet. I've heard many stories about you General Madul, mainly stories of your brutality and your torture of our soldiers. I am very curious how you set up such a large ambush general. Its as if you knew exactly where Major Sparkle would be, would you care to tell us how you knew such a thing?” The General was silent but nervously looked around at all the soldiers surrounding him.

“We’ll leave him to you. I’m sure you’d like to talk to him” She smiled as the Arabian soldiers hauled him up and took him away.

“Indeed. We have many questions for him, I am glad that you are alright my friend. Capturing General Madul will help weaken the rebels presence all across our nation, he was one of the few effective leaders they still had. Did you know he was once an officer in our army? He proved to be traitor too late unfortunately and many good soldiers died because of him. You have our thanks for this.”

“ Of course. I’m also very impressed with the tank's performance and firepower.” She nodded to Luna who smiled.

“If you can we would like to outfit as many of our elite divisions as you can manage and we’ll be ordering more from you in the future you can be assured” She smiled at them as they nodded.

*Capital City*

In the room the mare frowned as she heard the failed attack along with the capture of the general and knew this couldn’t bode well for her country. The mare went over to the radio and turned it on and adjusted to the scrambled Imperial frequency.

“This is Deadeye, Madul has failed to kill Major Sparkle, this was expected. His capture was not, he knows too much about the aid Imperial Intelligence provided years ago and that we hired him to kill Major Sparkle. He must be silenced, all agents, prepare for an assassination mission. We either kill Madul or risk losing everything and being exposed. Over” There was silence for a good while,

“Understood ma'am. We will prepare for this mission.” The mare shut off the radio and looked out over the city with a frown on her face. This wasn't going to be easy.

*Later that night Palace dungeon Interrogation room.*

Madul was slumped over, tied to a chair and was bloody and weak. The room was windowless and lighted only by a single lightbulb above him. He had been subjected to many different kinds of torture and interrogation techniques, many of which he had used himself in the past. He knew he could not take much more of this.Twilight and Luna sat in the shadows as well observing and on guard just in case something happened. A dark green stallion leaned next Madul’s face

“General Madul, tell us what we want to know and we can stop this. Who told you the location of Major sparkle? Who funds the rebels and where is your drop off point?” Madul looked up and spat blood into the stallion's face who wiped it off and slammed his hoof into Madul’s chest, causing him to cough up blood.

It was at that moment a stallion walked in wearing high ranking officer clothing, “Easy there soilder, we do not need him to die on us. He has very valuable information after all.” The stallion saluted his superior ,

”Apologies sir, he has proven to be stronger than expected. He will break soon I believe.” The officer nodded and walked over to Madul,

“Madul, I remember training alongside you, learning how to fight, shoot, lead and survive. We were friends once, I wish I did now have to see you this way. But you are a traitor and none of that matters now. Tell me what we want to know and I can promise you that you will receive fair treatment and a trial.” Madul looked up at the stallion and was silent for a few moments,

“I-I will tell you-” Madul was interrupted by the sound of an explosion nearby, Twilight and Luna jumped up prepared for a fight.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?” The officer yelled out, the stallion next to him ran out the room to check and came running back in a few moments.

“We don't know we think its the rebels trying to rescue him! We need to go help incase the palace is under attack.” The officer looked back to Madul.

“We cannot leave him alone. Someone has to guard him.” Twilight walked up.

“We will guard him, we will make sure he does not escape.” The officer frowned a bit, leaving guests to guard a prisoner, but they were the only ones around with the possible attack.

“Very well, be careful.” The officer and the stallion walked out to go aid the others while Twilight turned to Luna,

“The rebels will most likely be repulsed, but we should….” Twilight noticed Luna had adopted a stance ready to fight, she turned around to see a pony standing there, wrapped from head to toe in dark blue robes, only their eyes visible.