With the Federation quickly approaching the Siegfall line, all eyes were on the Empire's research and development team to create a tank that can break the approach.

Today, a young intrepid scientist has come up with the solution the leaders of the Imperial army so desperately sought out.

Dr. Thomas Heimlich stood by the doors of the Imperial Experimental Garrison Hanger #114 armed with a clip board and a mug of coffee. He slowly drank it as he waited for an Imperial officer to arrive.

"They're late." He said with a sigh and a long drink from his mug. "Leave it to the army to be fashionably late. Walt, be a friend and go return this to the kitchen." He said after he finished the coffee.

"Yes Doctor." The guard said as he took the mug and walked off.

A few minutes later, an Imperial officer's car pulled up. A man disembarked from the vehicle and the car pulled off.

Thomas gulped as the massive figure loomed over him. At this moment, he was glad the lieutenant colonel didn't hear his quip about the military being late.

The officer had grey hair and blue eyes. He extended his hand towards Thomas' and said "Doctor Heimlich, I presume."

"Y…yes sir." Thomas said as he shook the officer's hand, "You must be Klaus Walz… right?"

Klaus smiled, "You're a little younger than I thought you would be."

"Thank you?" Thomas replied, not sure whether or not to take that as an insult or a compliment.

Klaus smirked, "Now, what's this I hear about a new tank?"

Thomas nodded. He pulled out a radio and said "Hans, open the door for hanger 114."

As the door slowly opened, Thomas pulled out his clipboard. "LtCol. Walz, I give you the Vulcan Tank Destroyer." He said as the tank slowly came into view, "The ultimate mix of armor, speed, and above all, firepower."

"Woah…" LtCol. Walz said, "I like the way it looks, now I want to see the way she handles."

Thomas nodded, "Ford! Elias! Mount up, we're going to give Klaus a demonstration."

Two engineers nodded and dropped their tools before climbing into the Vulcan. In a few minutes, the radiator started to glow a bright blue.

That was natural. However, the area the radiator in wasn't.

"You put the radiator on top of the tank?" Klaus asked as the Vulcan passed them.

Thomas nodded, "Yes sir. It's better protected up there than it is on the back like other models."

"Why don't you just put the radiator inside the tank then?" Klaus asked.

"There isn't enough room." Thomas replied, "Henry, go get the car and bring it around to the front."

"Yes doctor."

"Do you know all these people by their first names?" Klaus asked.

Thomas nodded. "Through intensive research, I found that people tend to respond better when you call them by their name." He explained, "Also, I don't lose people nearly as often as the military does so I can afford to get attached to them."

Klaus stayed silent as another car pulled up in front of the hanger. Thomas and Klaus headed towards the car and got in.

"To the tank testing field." Thomas ordered. Henry nodded and started to drive.

"So this whole place isn't owned by the military?" Klaus said.

"Well… sort of." Thomas replied, "It actually belongs the Ruger Corp., but recently we've turned away from other projects to help you guys win this war against the Federation."

"Glad you're on our side." Klaus said.

"You'll be even happier when you see the Vulcan in action." Thomas said, "Just yesterday, one of our test drivers had her going up to sixty four kilometers per hour."

"Really?" Klaus said.

Thomas nodded, "With armor so thick that it can stop a shell from anything short of a direct hit from artillery."

"Cool." Klaus said, "Now… fire power."

"I'll let you see for yourself." Thomas said as the car stopped in front of an open field. He and Klaus stepped out.

The Vulcan was already there. Down range were three captured Federation tanks.

Thomas pulled out his radio again. "Vulcan, you may fire when ready."

The three tanks down range didn't last a second. By the time Klaus could fully grasp what had happened, the burning wreckage of three Federation tanks sat down range and the barrel of the Vulcan was smoking.

"Okay, that's pretty cool." Klaus said.

"I know, right?" Thomas said.

"When can I take this tank?" Klaus asked.

"Right now. I just need you to sign off on it."

Klaus snatched the clipboard from Thomas' hand. "You got a pen, kid?"

"Yes sir." Thomas said as he pulled a pen from his lab coat pocket and handed it to Klaus. Walz quickly signed his name and handed it back to Thomas.

"Have your driver meet me and mine at the front gate in ten minutes." Klaus said.

"Yes sir." Thomas said as he pulled out his radio. "Elias, take the Vulcan towards the front gate. Then both of you do me a favor and take the rest of the day off."

"Roger that!" Ford replied as the Vulcan turned to go down the road.

"Hans, take Klaus to the front gate, would ya?"

"Yes sir." Hans replied as Klaus got into the car, "Need me to pick you up?"

"Nah, I'll meet you back at the hanger. I got to see how the improved ragnaid kits are coming along."

"Yes sir. See you later." Hans said.

"See you Hans." Thomas said as the vehicle pulled out.

He was about to start walking when he realized something.

"WAIT HANS! KLAUS STILL HAS MY CLIPBOARD!" Thomas shouted as he started to run after the car.