Author's Note

Hello guys, sorry for the late update. With my private life with my family, I couldn't update or write too much. Also, I hesitated if I want this chapter in two parts or in one and only chapter. Like always, make constructive criticism positive and negative and tell me what you think could be improved. See you later!

CH 11: The First Invasion (part 1)

1 day later, Mike POV.

Today was the day we will invade the minotaurs' territories. I was in the laboratory because the scientist team discovered with the crystals. Two scientists take a device and place it on the floor after that one of them uses a command and it makes say device glowing. What happened next was a total surprise.

(Ignore the man and the library around and artist link:https://www.artstation.com/vargasni)

A portal appeared from the device. I try to process what was just happening right now: a portal... just appeared in front of me thanks to... a device. What the hell is going on?

"Am I dreaming or something like that?" The scientist to my right chuckle.

"No sir, you don't dream. To explain, this portal is the result of a reaction in the crystals we have."

"What type of reaction?"

"We have discovered that the crystals' signature reacts when a magnetic field is used on it. We don't know how but it does something to the crystal and make a portal appeared." Interesting, these crystals are more mysterious than I thought. Maybe we can use these portals for something.

"It can help us to infiltrate spies or a team behind the enemy lines."

"Indeed sir but the problem is the portal close itself after you passed it. If you ask how we know that well we used a droid to pass it. Don't worry we give him another device so he could come back to us."

"So if I understand, first of all, the device here creates a magnetic field which reacts with the crystal and creates a portal, and second I need two devices if I want to go somewhere and come back here?"

The scientist nod and launch a rock through the portal so it closes itself and to make sure no one saw it through the other side of it. Well, a good thing to know. I will make sure to use it a lot thanks to the commandos and even the changelings. It will help us a lot to send a team and create an outpost where we can deploy an assault group against some towns.

I walk toward the war room to make the last preparations with everyone. Also, do you remember I pointed out that the changeling border was bigger than last time? Well, they have successfully made the polar bears who are the inhabitants of the nation they annex to join them. From what I've heard it's a nation where they don't have slavery and where humans who escape their master go to create a new life.

Since they are bigger than a changeling and their pawns are too big to use a normal rifle, we made sure to create anti-tank rifles that are bigger than a normal rifle.

Also, the polar bears were the ones to ask for a creation of expeditionary or auxiliary forces coming from their nation of 2000 polar bears for now. Now the Changeling Confederation has a force that can fight better in winter than a normal changeling. I also have snowtroopers for that plus since the minotaurs have a big winter and a lot of snow because of the chain of mountains, they'll help us.

I walk inside the war room and take a seat. The others did the same thing and we start to finish the plan.

"We will need to attack from multiple locations. The strategy with the ships will help us a lot but I think we can use the new border we have to attack with the polar bears' help. Any suggestions?"

"I have something that can help us a lot." I look toward Nightmare Moon.

"Care to tell what is it?"

"I've discovered that some clans of thestrals are hidden in mountains nearby, they can attack a lot of hidden towns. The only thing we need is to let them have some weapons and to make sure they are on our side."

"And this is where you come. You are their queen so if they know you're with us, they will immediately help in the invasion." She nods and tells to Stars Whirl to infiltrate a squad to find the thestrals and give them weapons.

"Well, I think... it's good. Plus with the new 'weapons' we have, we will crush them easily for at least a week before they saw they need to unite." Everyone nods and we all leave and take different ways to prepare our troops.

I walk toward where the ships where to find Alpha, Spark, Aaron, Emma, Shaun, Jason, Sophia, Connor, Astrid, and Kate talking and making sure everything was ready. When they saw me, they all salute me. I look around to see the bombers being rearmed with explosive and all these things, the troops going into different transports and look to our new fighters and bombers:

Yup, you don't dream. I decided that we also need fighters and bombers in which pilots are humans and not A.I. The Tie fighter elite, the one with the second pilot who has the control of the turret at the bottom of the fighter were made to have better ground support when a fighter must fire at the enemy on the ground but they were given to good pilots.

Normal Tie and bombers pilots:

(artist link)

Elite Tie pilots:

Apprentice:

When fully admitted:

I contact the queens and alicorns to know if they were ready and when they said yes, I look at two B1 droids and order:

"Launch the Operation: Minos."

"Roger roger." After that, the sound of alarms could be heard throughout the base. The pilots start to go into their ships, the droids' fighters and bombers start to go into the sky and the transports take off the ground. I look at the army which marches toward the border with the minotaurs. A lot of AT-STs and AT-DPs were walking so I think you can guess the sound of it.

And I know that today was the day a nation will start the fall into the Abyss of Annihilation.

Somedays later, third POV.

Operation Minos, the name of the invasion against the minotaurs to liberate all humans. The plan was very simple: five army groups will attack from different locations. The changelings and polar bears from the North, the Droid army at the center, the Imperial Order at the north part of the center, the Mandalorians at the south part of the center, and the ponies of Nightmare Monn and Daybreaker at the South. (All of this from the West)

Not too far from a target, a group of Tie bombers and fighters was approaching from it with transport ships with three elite Tie fighters.

"Shadows Leader to Shadows 4. Make sure the bombs are ready."

"Affirmative Shadows Leader."

The pilot who was Shadow Leader or more because since the squad's name was Shadows, her Tie and she were referred to Shadows Leader. She was in an elite Tie fighter so that means there was another pilot in the Tie who was controlling the turret.

"Hey boss, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it recruit ?" You would say since the guy is in an elite fighter then he is a good pilot, well yes but he was only an apprentice, a newbie like a lot say. So for her, he was like a recruit.

"It's just... it's the first time I will participate in a true battle and I'm nervous."

"Don't worry, when I decided to enter into the pilots when the Emperor was unconscious, I was also nervous but more the raid with the ground troops passed I became confident. Now, keep focus. We are not too far away from the target."

"Yes, boss."

"Shadows Leader, this is Lieutenant Mason from the Leopards squad. We will start to land on the ground. Make sure to deliver us a good spectacle when we place a foot on the ground."

"Lieutenant... you knock at the right door." She says with a smile under her helmet.

"Okay Shadows squad, like at the training, the fighters first and the bombers after. We are the ones who launch the invasion, the ones who will strike first! Don't forget the Emperor and Humanity count on us!"

"Yes, Shadows Leader!"

At the same time, the seven transport ships landed on the ground. The troops come out and prepare everything before the attack. There were 40 stormtroopers, 15 flame troopers, 20 scout troopers, and 5 sith troopers from the Red Guard. They started to march toward the town. This will be the first battle that will announce the fall of the Tyrants.

In the minotaurs' town, everything going well. There were merchants, warriors at the training field, and civilians. Even if they're not warriors, the civilians always have a day where they train to be sure they can defend themselves. The minotaurs were happy with a simple life. Some of them going to a bar or something.

Suddenly, a strange sound which is never heard here could be heard.

Every minotaur looks up at the sky since the sound comes from it. Nothing was seen until one minotaur yelled:

"Hey! What is this?!" The minotaur pointed toward flying creatures and everyone looks at them. Some were confused, others didn't pay attention, thinking it was nothing until...

"Shadows squad, open fire!"

After the leader said that, all the fighters started to shoot on the ground sometimes creating explosions when a house was hit. The panic quickly gains the inhabitants. Everyone was running everywhere, trying to hide from the fighters. The second pilots in the elite fighters start to open fire with their turrets. After sometimes, it was the bombers' turn to deliver death and destruction.

"We drop the bombs."

Blue spheres come out of the bombers and when hitting the ground, explode. The ground troops saw everything and know it was time. They started to come out of the forest and to shoot on the minotaurs they saw, some tried to resist but were heavily injured and wounded by the bombardment, not all of them were killed, the goal was not to make a genocide. The five sith troopers were away from the main group, the missions? Kill or capture the chief of the town.

They finally arrived at the chief house, they were welcomed by guards. They start to shoot killing five of them, and a grenade killed the three others. Before the last door, two take positions at each side ready to open fire when it will open. The others nod and one grab a flash grenade and the two others slightly open the door. After hearing the 'Bang', they kick it and shoot at the guards. When the chief and his wife and son could see again, they were afraid to see the guards on the ground, dead.

"Hands up facing the wall." The family did what they have been told and the sith troopers take handcuffs and lead the family outside.

"Shadows Leader, Lieutenant Mason. This is over, the chief and his family are captured."

"Copy that sir."

"Affirmative."

After the last minotaurs surrender, the troops started to cheers in their victory and Mike's name.

Changelings' Front.

The changeling army moves fast, they have learned the tactics of the Blitzkrieg. They already captured some towns and the polar bears' help was not disappointing, some minotaurs who start to respect the changelings' strength join in the auxiliaries and it helps a lot more.

Thorax is the officer who leads the main forces. Right now, he's going toward one of the main targets of the operation: the City of Ufrus, named after Ufrus (obviously) a respected and strong warrior who lived even before the Princesses. Thorax knows it will be not an easy battle, after all, we talk a symbol for the minotaurs, not a simple town.

After days of travels or trips which would have made Mike angry, they finally have a view of the city. He opens the trap door on the turret of his new command Panzer 4 H:

(artist link)

There were a few like that since the production started not too long ago, most of the tanks forces was:

Panzer 2 or Luch:

(artist link)

Panzer 3:

(artist link)

The Luch was more for support than frontal combat, faster than a Panzer 3 or 4. The Panzer 3 was made to resist a lot more and to have more firepower. Thorax order to stop the march and let the soldiers have a little rest before the attack, they needed the city taken before tomorrow but thanks to Thorax's strategy and tactics, some part of the army were all around the city so the siege will be easier.

He takes his binoculars and inspects the city. There were some ballista and catapult on it, it will do some damage for sure but the tanks will be fine if they shot it before the minotaurs can use them. At the right of his tank was Wasp's tank, the two of them with Rose were know as the Wolves since they strategy and tactics look like a pack which attacks in coordination and quickly.

"Does Rose know the signal to attack?" Ask Wasp.

"Yes, when she'll hear the canons of the artillery, she will launch her attack. Are the troops ready?"

"Yes. The artillery corps just need the order."

"As for the tanks' and infantries' divisions?"

"Same."

He nods and calls his second in command.

"Colonel Doorxs!" A male changeling runs to his tank.

"Yes, general?"

"Tell the artillery corps they have the green light to open fire."

"Of course general."

The changeling takes a jeep with another officer and goes toward the artillery corps. Thorax looks at Wasp to see her with an amused look.

"What?" She chuckles.

"It's funny to see how much you became so serious in your job." It was Thorax turn to chuckle.

"What can I say? I do this for my country."

At the same time, the Colonel arrived at his destination and walk toward the officer in charge of the artillery.

"Colonel Drooxs, what brings you here?"

"General Thorax give you the green light to start the siege, Colonel Furx."

"Very well. You heard that soldiers?! Start to reload me these canons!"

The changelings reload the canons and start to readies them up.

"Ready?! Open fire!"

And so, the canons' screams were heard by the army and also by Rose who was on the other side of the city. When she heard the canons, she nods to an officer who nods back. He turns around and orders:

"Open fire!"

Explosions start to be seen from the outside of the city. Inside, it was hell. The minotaurs try to hide as the garrison of the city goes on the ramparts, take positions, and start to prepare the ballista and catapults. The problem is some shells hit some part of the wall and make holes where the infantry can pass.

For at least 5 minutes, a rain of shells falls on the city, when the smoke disappeared a look of horror appeared for the minotaurs. There were a lot of corps some of them crushed by debris, others missing limbs and blood all over the bodies and the floor, and sometimes all was left for some corps was a little part of the body like a hand for example.

Their nightmare doesn't stop here. A sound was heard, when the soldiers on the ramparts look what was that, they saw what will be the extension of the nightmare, a horde of tanks and half-tracks coming all around the city. The half-tracks are armored transport for infantry but sometimes you can add turrets or MGs on it:

(artist link)

Even if they were doomed, the warriors decided to defend the city until the last warrior. They started to use the ballista but the armor on the vehicles was too much for the projectiles to penetrate it. The tank which received the projectile turn the turret toward it.

The tank leader shout orders to her crew.

"Load me this canon! I want to destroy this ballista before it fired on a less armored vehicle!"

The loader takes a munition and places it in the canon. The pilot stopped the tank to make sure the shooter can hit without difficulty. Said shooter aim and take time to be sure he won't miss and after sometimes finally shoot. The minotaurs at the ballista saw the orange projectile coming toward them, some tried to escape but it was so fast that they died in the explosion.

The main doors of each side opened and warriors came out of the city, in desperate measures charge at the powerful enemy. The half-tracks stop to let the infantry goes out. The MGs on them and the tanks being used by one crew's soldier, the Panzers, and Luchs which didn't shoot on the ballista and catapults open fire on the armies on the ground.

The changeling soldiers take positions and open fire with everything they have rifles like rocket launchers. It was a massacre, the minotaurs who were desperate or courageous enough continue while the ones who didn't want to die or scared flea toward the city or surrender. The polar bears with more powerful guns could kill a minotaur in one shot if they hit vital organs like if a human shot with a normal rifle on a pony for example.

With the charge defeated, the troops start to enter inside the city, it was clear victory has been grabbed by the Confederation. The warriors that lead earlier don't even tried to stop them, they just look at them. The chieftain of the city has killed in the bombardment, hope was gone for a long time. The Confederation's flag flown in the central place of the city, the army gives to the survivors food, and somewhere to sleep and treat their wounds by the medical divisions of the army.

Outside the city, some tanks and other vehicles have been destroyed. How? Well, even with an armored vehicle, take a rock from a catapult is very deadly armored or not.

Thorax, Wasp, and Rose walk toward the council's room of the city. When they arrived, they place an orb and use made it work, it creates a green vortex if you want and makes the queens appeared. It was to communicate like holo communication.

"Thorax, Rose, and Wasp. It's good to see you, so how is the invasion going?"

"We have taken control of a lot of towns and we just take control of the City of Ufrus." The queens smiled at this news. It was one of the main targets of the Operation. This city was one of the strongholds of the minotaurs' military. If the clans have united, it would have been very hard to take this city.

"Very good. Take time to rest, you and the others have earned it." After that, the orb stopped glowing and the communication stopped.

Thorax walks toward a window and looks at the horizon. He knows that tomorrow will be another day of hard-working, and ask himself how the other armies are doing.