Libria I: Minotaurs return

In early 12.016M42 the Dark Angels relieved the pressure on the loyalist forces on Libria I by delivering a telling blow on the Angels of Redemption. Once again astartes fought astartes with the Dark Angels making it clear where their loyalties lay. This escalation of astartes activity led to the Minotaurs returning once more, and initiating their own assault on loyalist forces, independent of Vorushko's command. Enraged by the Space Wolves and Dark Angels the Minotaurs, along with the Angels of Redemption, set about attacking loyalist astartes forces in the central cities of Novato, Gertiot and Derwood, prompting a determined response from the Space Wolves and Dark Angels. Dropping from strike cruisers in orbit, the Minotaurs spread chaos amongst the defenders of the central cities. Thousands died in the crossfire as astartes brother fought astartes brother, but the damage was less strategic and more designed to create as much fear and chaos as possible.

Taking advantage of the situation the Necrons had been waiting for an opportinuty to deal a blow to the loyalist Imperium, particularly the astartes, who they believed posed a significant threat to their Empire in the Perseus Deeps. The Necrons of the Charnovokh Dynasty arrived unannounced, and immediately began attacking Dark Angel and Space Wolf assets wherever they found them, being careful to avoid the Minotaurs and other Crusade forces.

The result of the Minotaurs and Angels of Redemptions' actions was to throw the defence of the central cities into turmoil. Reeling from the ferocity of the crusade assault the Dark Angels and Space Wolves were forced to abandon the central cities, leaving the crusade guard forces to simply walk in, destroying any remaining resistance. The Necrons quickly disappeared after the fighting. They had achieved their objective but had miscalculated the political impact of their actions. Although the Necrons were fighting the Minotaurs' common "enemy", the astartes chapter were deeply angered by the Necron interference, as they saw the Xenos as meddling in issues which were none of their concern, and the chapter vowed immediate revenge against the Charnovokh.