The Changeling Invasion

Svyatoslav Pavlovych
Odessa, Ukraine

Svyatoslav Pavlovych drove his police car through the streets of Odessa. He knew that he would have a long day ahead of him when he saw what looked to him like missiles striking the heart of Odessa. With the war in Russia ongoing, Svyatoslav believed he knew the culprits of the attack.

As he drove closer to Primorsky Boulevard, where the missiles had struck, he watched as a large crowd of people running away from the site. He could see smoke rising as he parked his car at a nearby sidewalk. He stepped out of the car, and started pushing through the crowd.

"Get out of my way!" he yelled. "Move!". To his shock, he saw some of his fellow police officers running with the crowd. He spotted his friend running and grabbed him, pulling him to the side.

"What is going on, Anatoly?" he urged. "What have the Russians done to us?"

Anatoly's face turned white. "It is not the Russians." he trembled. "It is Lucifer, and her demons.". Before Svyatoslav could ask him more questions, Anatoly ran off, joining the ever panicking crowd.

Svyatoslav pushed on to Primorsky Boulevard. He finally reached the street, and what he saw horrified him.

A large, alien creature, flanked by several of her demon-looking reptiles, walked calmly along the street as many more wreaked havoc. He saw many of the creatures flying into buildings, starting fires spontaneously, and otherwise working to destroy the city. The large alien creature, which seemed to be the leader, began to speak.

"I do not know where we are, but I believe we can certainly make the best of things." the creature grinned to her minions.

Svyatoslav dug his finger into his ear. He could have sworn he heard the Queen speaking in his native Ukrainian.

"Our forces seem to be scattered across the world, your Majesty." one of the creatures said. "They are disorganized, but causing chaos worthy of Discord himself."

The alien queen chuckled heartily. "Good.." she said. "Make sure these primitive two-legged creatures know who is their new ruler."

"Of course, Queen Chrysalis. All will fear you in this new world." another creature said as he bowed down.

Queen Chrysalis looked around. Finally, she seemed to lock eyes with Svyatoslav, who fell over in shock.

"Seize that creature!" the Queen ordered. Svyatoslav stood up, and began to run. However, the effort would be futile, as the demon creatures grabbed him and flew him to the Queen.

"You and the rest of your kind will bow down to the Changeling Queen." she sneered, as one of the changelings began to morph before his eyes as a mirror image of himself.

"No! I would rather die than serve you!" Svyatoslav shouted.

Chrysalis grinned. "As you wish." she said. The police officer looked in horror as the changeling that had assumed his appearance walked up to him and punched him in the face. Knocked to the ground and disoriented, he was unable to see when the changelings began to, quite literally, suck the life out of him.

Amy Elliot
2 miles south of Medford, Oregon

Amy Elliot, a ground correspondent for a major national news service, rushed with her camerawoman to the scene building up at the edge of the forest. With a virtual invasion in Ohio by an alien species, it frustrated her to be focused on a wildfire in Oregon.

"Let's get up closer, Sarah." Amy said. They moved to the side of the road as a fire truck zipped past them. They saw the roadblocks up ahead, and stopped, preparing to set up.

Sarah pulled the camera out of its case and began turning it on while Amy mentally practiced her lines. "The wildfire, which started in the early hours of the morning, has spread rapidly." she muttered to herself.

Soon, Sarah waved her hand to grab Amy's attention. "Ready when you are." she said cheerily.

She handed Amy her microphone, and walked in front of the camera. Sarah waited for the signal from the studio as she listened to the broadcast through her earpiece.

"-an emergency meeting at the White House has been called as the situation in Ohio has escalated, as Governor Cordray mobilized National Guard to defend Columbus. Out of Oregon, a massive wildfire has struck near the city of Medford. Correspondent Amy Elliot is at the scene. Amy?"

Amy took a deep breath, and began. "Yes, Ali. The fire started at about 5 am this morning, and has spread remarkably fast. Authorities at the scene have-"

She was interrupted by what sounded like a large explosion behind her. Sarah picked up the camera and rushed with Amy as they walked to the roadblock.

Amy turned to the camera as she looked out, trying to find the source of the explosion. "It seems that a large explosion has taken place in the neighborhood somewhere." she said. "We don't know what is going on, but we will keep you posted as-"

She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence. More explosions emanated beyond the roadblocks. Getting a closer look, it appeared that the fire trucks were exploding, spontaneously. Silhouetted in the distance were what looked like menacing shadows. Amy gulped as she looked past, and realized what she was looking at.

"If you are with me now, it looks like the same creatures attacking across the globe are here, right here in Medford. It is no longer safe for us to be here, but we will keep you posted. Back to you." Amy shouted into the microphone in a near panic, as the creatures came out in force. Their horns glowed, and vehicles continued to explode in their path.

Sarah dropped the camera and ran with her. Getting to their news van, Amy jumped in the front seat. "Hurry, drive!" Sarah shouted frantically.

Amy hit the gas. They drove past the crowd now running and screaming. She watched through the mirror as the creatures descended on the crowd. Horrified, she watched as many of them flew to her van.

"Do you have the gun?" she asked Sarah. She nodded shakily, and pulled a pistol out of the glove compartment, handing it to her.

"Take over!" she shouted. They struggled to trade seats, but when Amy managed to climb into the passenger seat, she aimed her pistol as some of the creatures.

She fired, missing her first shot. "Shit!" she muttered. The creatures seemed a bit disoriented by the shot, perhaps not expecting it. She gathered her nerve, and fired again.

This time, she managed a hit. One of the creatures howled in pain, and hit the ground hard. Amy didn't think she hit it critically, but it seemed to be enough to take it out of the sky.

Sarah motioned to Amy. "Look!" she pointed behind them. The creatures in pursuit weren't following them anymore, instead hanging back, perhaps apprehensive of being shot unexpectedly. Perhaps they didn't have guns where they came from, Amy thought to herself.

"Let's get as far from here as possible." Amy said. Sarah nodded, and drove the van out to the Interstate.