Broken Skies

-Changeling Hive, Throne Room, 7 PM Equestrian Time-

Queen Chrysalis looked over the new armor plans for her military. It composed of a substance that the worker drones had called "iron", and improved weapon designs, including mobile ballistas, armored carts, and stronger crossbows. This was quickly formulated soon after discovering a new substance beneath the hills of the Scorched Lands, which they found was much for effective than bronze, silver, or any other metal substance currently known to the Hive-Mind. Recent tests have shown it to be much more durable to conventional bows and crossbows, and very difficult to pierce with past weaponry. They now were on par with the Griffons who had recently developed war balloons, which held various amounts of light mounted crossbows and ballistas that could rain death from above. However, the iron was much heavier than first perceived, so they would have to be the first to charge and eat the brunt of the attacks. The Changeling Regulars only had scaled chitin, so they would act as standard troops and iron warriors as the heavier infantry. Some advances in airships have been made, allowing the insectoids access to the skies above.

No matter, the time had come. Blood was to be spilled over the lands of Equestria, and she had the army to do it. Few stood in her way, But one small group had been able to gather intel on the newly researched weapons, including where they could be located.

-Cult of Individuals HQ, South of Changeling Secured Lands-

The Cult had done many, but not enough had been deemed successful. In time, they would prove fruitful. Right now, Chutt had things to plan out. A war with Equestria was brewing, and from scouts that scanned ahead, they have found that the Griffon Emperor also had plans to take Equestria for his own. Also stemming from the reports, they have also have found that the aliens they have predicted have arrived. Deep in his mind, varied thoughts had come to bear.

These aliens shall prove to be our friends, we have perceived their trust before.

But what of the consequences? They could potentially destroy everyone on the planet!

If they could manage inter-species collective governments, than they can inter more to their cause!

If anything, that is all merely something made by a business, or mass company agreements! For all we know, they could still be waging war with each other!

The mind war racked his brain, killing his train of thought each time a new idea was brought up, just a constant ping-pong of left and right. Chutt had better things to do than ponder events however, and his repeal of Queen Chrysalis was yet to be done. His actions could potentially change the outcome of the war, and the Cult would be made into a true group of freedom fighters.

-

Currently, a small group of insurrectionists gathered at a nearby military barracks. The task force was sent to sabotage the base of its weapons, gather some for the Cult's own, and possibly capture the General stationed here.  Only a few could be chosen for this highly dangerous job, and the resistance movement preferred to be under wraps until it was the go to reveal themselves.

A Changeling with a red and purple stained horn, as with most of the resistance to keep themselves distinguished from the regular Changeling, stealthily walked up to the gate that held the camp. Nightfall shrouded the anonymous fighter, and he started to spark his horn. Then, a small, concentrated gout of flame hit the gate's lock. In seconds, the only object in the way of the group at the moment was cut in half. He then drew a sword from its hilt, shrouded that in magic, then signaled the rest of the party to follow with a quick pulsation of his horn. Thereafter, 4 Changelings burst from the bushes that surrounded the camp entrance. Swords and crossbows at the ready, the task force sneaked their way into the possible supply cache.

-"Kangaroo" Light VTOL, 2nd Company Air Assistance, 9 PM Earth Time, 7 PM Equestrian Time-

The air vehicle shuddered as it neared the landing site, a small courtyard just outside Canterlot Castle's gates. A five man team sat, waiting for the aircraft to make its stop. These men were hand picked, the Admiral himself taking these four Marines as his personal honor guard. A sudden lurch in the craft emerged from the sides, and the tell tale sign of a successful landing came as the resounding *THUMP* had arrived. A hiss, a pop, and a bump came as the cargo bay's ramp dropped, and 4 men in a square formation exfiltrated from the vehicle. Forming a semi circle, they awaited the Admiral's arrival. As if on queue, the 4 soldiers snapped to a salute, as one shouted, "Officer on deck!" as the fleet commander left the VTOL.

"At ease, men." Ordered Fleet Admiral Jarvis.

"No signs of hostile forces anywhere, sir." came Master Sergeant Kate's report. "Scans show the Princess should be here momentarily, for they appear to have acquired teleport technology as well. It appears that the Helljumper is already here also, being followed by 6 small ponies."

"Then we shall wait for her to arrive, and send the HJ to meet with us here."

Shortly after, a light flash of wormhole residue came and the 4 guards presented arms at the possible threat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Princess had just finished gathering a small group of Royal Army Elites to accompany her on the ad-hoc meeting. Starting up a teleport spell, she increased it radius to take the guardsmen with her. A brief flash, and magic induced teleportation brought them to a courtyard not far from the Royal gates. Just noticing the 4 soldiers and a officer pointing their weapons at the Princess. Spears and swords were drawn and raised, and panic rose inside Celestia. Quickly thinking of something to say, she had announced,

"We mean no harm, lower your weapons and nobody shall be hurt!"

"I'll take your word for it,"- said Admiral Jarvis, -"I am Fleet Admiral Jarvis. Pleasure to be your acquaintance."

The alien extended his right foreleg, and unfurled his tentacle like appendages. Celestia didn't recognize the action at first, but then remembered how her people would sometimes shake hooves, and she had extended her leg as well. As the alien's hand resembled a minotaur, it gave the familiar feeling as the fingers wrapped around it's target. Seeking to start the meeting, Celestia motioned for the Admiral to follow her to the War Room. Then, a familiar voice resounded from behind her.

"Princess!" Twilight shouted.

"Twilight! I am glad you made it. But... where did you find the alien?" replied Celestia.

"He chose to tag along with us! Didn't you get the letter I sent you a few hours ago?" the young alicorn said.

Choosing to not waste time, Celestia merely told her she must have forgotten it underneath a small pile of other recently sent letters. In addition, she chose to tell the elements and her new visitors of the impending warfare between two countries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reaching the War Room, various documents on plans and events regarding the Griffon-Equestrian War were strewn about on a large table, which in turn was surrounded by various generals and officers. They all gave a hasty salute to the Princess as she walked by, who began to brief Jarvis on Equestria's predicament.

"As you can see here, we currently are being attacked by Griffons. We need your help in this matter, for we don't have the ponypower or the technology to stop these marauders. Please, we need your help!"

Jarvis had to consult himself over his answer. On one hand, he could assist with the small army he fielded on his fleet, but they had only the most basic equipment. Truly, he didn't want to see a sapient race wipe out another. But on the other hand, he could send an emmisary to inform the High Brass on the matter, get official orders, maybe get support for the war being waged on the planet. It would take a few days at most, but a preferable choice of action. Long range radio was out of the question, the energy field surrounding distorts most forms of communication. However, he was already breaking a few codes of conduct by showing less developed beings Space Age technology, and even landing on said being's porch. Deciding on a more rational scale, he had gone with informing the Conglomerate while doing whatever was possible to help out around Equestria. Predicting the massive panic, more than what probably is already prevalent, will escalate to even higher levels. Something had to be done to about it, and he had a vague idea to use in quelling the hysteria.

However, Twilight and the other elements had been very surprised that war was about to engulf Equestria, a land known for its peace.