Chapter 22: The Reckoning pt 1

-M29.671. Saderan Capital's Outskirt-

Pina smiled confidently as she led her father and the assembled Senators through the lush pathways of the capital. It hadn't been easy to sway them, but she had succeeded in piquing their interest by presenting them with an impressive wealth of gold and jewels—enough, by her estimation, to feed the entire capital for six years. With this grand gesture, she had effectively captured their attention, binding them to her cause.

It took a full half hour to guide them to the designated location, an empty yet flourishing area filled with trees and bushes. She had chosen this spot for its strategic significance. According to the proposed plans, the Imperium's embassy would rise several stories high, dominating the skyline and ensuring its visibility from every corner of the capital.

"Why did you bring us here, Pina?" Molt inquired, his gaze fixed intently on his daughter.

"We're here to witness the Imperium's magic," she replied, her tone enigmatic. Her father and the Senators exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of skepticism and irritation. But the magic, as she had promised, soon revealed itself.

A sudden flash of white light illuminated the area, and before them stood a giant figure clad in peerless metallic armor. They recognized him instantly—a Solar Guardian, as the Imperium called them. The imposing figure approached Pina with measured steps.

"It was a favor, princess. Remember that," the Solar Guardian stated in a neutral tone, his words spoken in High Gothic to obscure any deeper implications.

"I remember. And I will make the most of it," Pina replied, her smile unwavering, exuding confidence.

"Very well." The Guardian reached into a compartment on his leg, retrieving a scroll. Unfurling it, he began to read aloud. "By the decree of the Emperor of Mankind, we bestow upon you the power to construct an embassy within the capital of Sadera, to foster peace between His Majesty's realm and yours, at the request of Primums Preisidium, Pina Co Lada."

He spoke in the common tongue, ensuring that everyone present could understand the gravity of his words. Before Molt could react, another brilliant flash of light momentarily blinded them. When the light subsided, a large black box, sleek and stainless, stood before them.

"This is yours to command, princess," the Guardian said, tapping the box.

"Thank you," Pina had drawn the embassy to her liking with the help of Raias. She must admit he is a great painter, but the transhuman denies it because of how realistic his drawings always become and by that means ruining the true essence of painting.

Pina found the reason behind Raias's reluctance unconvincing. She made a mental note to encourage him to pursue his artistic talents once more. As she reached out to touch the black box, a surge of electricity coursed through her, awakening the countless machines within. The sensation was both overwhelming and exhilarating.

Taking a deep breath, she focused her will into a singular point, knowing that the sheer mental weight required to control the box would be unbearable without her augmentations. If she were still just an ordinary human, her mind would have shattered under the strain. But now, as she concentrated, the box dissolved into trillions of nanomachines, which ascended into the sky like a swarm of metallic bees. Their sheer number blotted out the sun, casting an ominous shadow over the land and sending waves of dread and awe through her father and the senators.

With near-transhuman precision, Pina summoned the image of the embassy from her mind, directing the Omniphages to bring it into reality. The green landscape below was consumed as the nanomachines began to construct the massive edifice. Black steel surged upwards, forming a structure that towered over even the grand palace of Sadera. The building, vast and imposing, was more than just a mansion—it was a fortress, a testament to the might of the Imperium.

Yet, there was something unsettling about it. The sleek, unyielding lines of the structure, the way it seemed to grow organically from the ground, unnerved the Saderans. It was as if the embassy was not just a building, but a living entity, one that exuded an aura of power and inscrutability.

The structure incorporated numerous security features and safety measures, all meticulously planned. Pina knew these details well, thanks to Raias's ideas. His knowledge had been instrumental in ensuring that the embassy was not just a symbol of diplomatic intent but a fortress capable of withstanding any threat.

In mere minutes, the construction was complete. The structure stood tall, its jet-black exterior imposing against the backdrop of the Saderan capital. The sheer size of the building was staggering, far beyond anything the Saderans had ever conceived. The fact that it had been constructed in such a short time overwhelmed the minds of those present, leaving them in a state of shock and awe.

With a soft sigh, Pina activated the final mechanism hidden within the structure. The mini plasma generator slowly came to life, its light flaring up as the entire building hummed with energy. The machinery within began to operate, fulfilling its intended purpose with a quiet efficiency that belied the power it contained.

As Pina struggled to catch her breath, her legs trembled under the strain of the exertion. The Solar Guardian stepped forward, ready to assist her, but she raised a hand to stop him.

"I am fine," she said, offering a reassuring smile to the transhuman warrior before turning to face her father.

"This is the power of the Imperium, Father. This is their magic," she declared, her voice filled with confidence.

__________________________________

-Fortress Isan-

Gax observed Fortress Isan from a vantage point several kilometers away, the fortress a formidable silhouette on the horizon. From the Imperial records he had studied, he knew that this stronghold was more than just a defensive position—it was a keystone in the Empire's trade network, vital to the flow of goods and resources. Its strategic importance made it the perfect target for his mission.

This fortress, along with several nearby cities, would soon fall under the weight of the Imperium's might. Gax consulted the data displayed on his suit's interface, reviewing the details of his forces. He had hundreds of automatons at his command, alongside several Guardians, their power unmatched by any force in this reality. Additionally, a single Falchion was at his disposal, a war machine capable of delivering devastation on a scale that would leave the Saderans trembling.

"Let us begin the operation. Bomb that wall," Gax ordered, his voice cold and precise.

At his command, one of the automatons broke from its camouflage. The machine's plasma mortar began to heat up, the blue glow intensifying as it prepared to unleash its destructive payload.

The blue sun struck the fortress wall with unrelenting force, detonating in a violent explosion that birthed a second sun from the ensuing heatwave. The searing blast was so intense that the Saderan soldiers stationed on the wall were incinerated in an instant, their bodies reduced to mere ash before they could even comprehend their fate. The shockwave rippled outwards, leaving nothing but scorched earth and charred remnants in its wake.

The surviving members of the Saderan army, those who were fortunate—or unfortunate—enough to be farther from the blast, scrambled in disarray. Panic gripped them as they hastily raised their shields and drew their swords, attempting to mount a defense against an enemy they could not see.

Gax observed the chaos with a cold, calculating gaze. He transmitted a silent command to the automatons under his control. In perfect synchrony, the mechanical warriors began to move, taking up strategic positions around the fortress. The Saderans, still reeling from the initial attack, were unaware of the impending threat.

As the defenders nervously scanned their surrounding, their eyes widened in terror as dozens of slim, deadly automatons materialized from the thin air, emerging from their stealth mode like specters. Their forms were sleek and deadly, designed for both speed and precision.

The automatons moved with a fluidity and precision that defied the natural laws of physics. Their limbs, composed of near-solidified Omniphages, twisted and bent at impossible angles, allowing them to perform acrobatic maneuvers that no ordinary or even enhanced being could replicate. They seemed to dance through the battlefield, their every movement a calculated strike of deadly efficiency.

Armed with siphoning disruption field weapons, the automatons cut through the Saderan forces like a hot knife through butter. These weapons, designed to bypass molecular bonds, emitted a vibratory force that caused atomic fusions within their targets. The unfortunate Saderan soldiers who were struck by these weapons didn't just die—they were obliterated, their bodies turning to ashes in an instant, leaving no trace behind.

Panic spread like wildfire among the Saderan ranks. Soldiers screamed in terror, their voices rising in a cacophony of fear and desperation as they watched their comrades disintegrate before their eyes. 

Before the Saderan forces could stabilize their crumbling defense, the Solar Guardians descended upon them. Their armor, adorned with intricate ornaments symbolizing both luxury and glory, dwarfed even the wealthiest displays in Sadera. The artistic craftsmanship of their war-gear was beyond anything the Saderan nobility could ever hope to achieve.

"Saderan soldiers!" Gax's voice thundered across the battlefield, a sonic blast that caused ears to bleed and minds to quake. "In the name of the Emperor of Mankind, Lord of the Imperium, I demand your surrender! Those who defy shall face His judgment."

Many soldiers, gripped by fear, dropped their swords to the ground. Those few who refused to yield met a swift end, their lives snuffed out by searing plasma and merciless blades. Gax found this battle disappointingly mundane compared to the countless wars he had weathered.

The surviving soldiers were swiftly disarmed and stripped of their armor. Gax ordered them to be encased within stasis fields, minimizing the risk of any unwanted incidents. He was well aware that this world was a feudal relic, where senseless acts of defiance were as common as the air they breathed.

It didn't take a long time for Gax to secure the entire perimeter, looting anything from the fortress. In nanoseconds, Gax received the entire report regarding Saderan's operations around this location and the recent trade traffic. 

"I see... just like what the assassins reported. There's a slaver's market twenty kilometers from here," Gax muttered, his transhuman mind already running through thousands of war and post-war scenarios in an instant.

His orders were clear: liberate the slaves and mark this world for the Imperium. In addition, he was to investigate a certain location where the corrupting influence of the Immaterium was strong.

As he reviewed the report, a sense of unease settled in Gax's mind. A daemonic incursion was a possibility, yet the Psycant agents had assured him that the warp's presence here was too weak for even the smallest form of warp-born invasion.

He would inspect the site personally, but first, there were cities to conquer. Gax connected to his Noosphere, reaching out to unit 98. "98, the fortress is secure. Awaiting further orders."

"Understood, Colonel. Proceeding to the next objective. Transmitting real-time situational data of the region now," 98 responded, streaming the latest intelligence directly into Gax's WAR-CASTER. The Colonel's mind expanded, perceiving reality beyond the limitations of three-dimensional space.

He found himself within the Neuralsphere, the domain where the Ferrous Mind communicated and projected its innermost thoughts. This realm was detached from both the material and immaterial universes, a data world where energy and matter were distilled into raw information.

As time seemed to flow through the Neuralsphere, an entire expanse was constructed in his mind's eye, a detailed map of the surrounding area taking form. His gaze was drawn to a specific ruin, something about it standing out among the rest.

"What is this?" Gax asked, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the ruin.

"It's where the warp's influence is most concentrated," 98 replied. With a subtle command, he used his authority over the Neuralsphere to form a data crystal in front of the Colonel. The crystal pulsed with energy, a fragment of the warp breach within the ruin.

Gax reached out, touching the crystal. Instantly, a flood of pure data surged into his Noosphere, immersing him in a torrent of information.

It was the entire raw form of everything he needed to identify what lies inside the Empyrean's breach.

"I see... I will deply my team and myself there." Gax concluded. 

"Be careful, Colonel. I advised you to bring several psykers." 98 said, earning a wide grin from the transhuman.

"Don't worry. I have the best in my personal team." He replied before reaching to his Noosphere to find a certain person.

____________________________________________________

-M2. Earth. Japan-

Yuuki could hardly contain her excitement; today was the day the Imperium's delegation and exchange students would arrive at her university. If her visions of the Imperium were accurate, then those who stepped onto campus today would be humans designed to be perfect.

Though her visions came to her in dreams, Yuuki had pieced together fragments of memory that revealed the true form of such perfection. 

The Imperium existed in an era where even the lowest could transcend any limitations, living in a state of opulence that was beyond the wildest imaginations of modern humanity. And yet, they never stagnated—always growing more advanced, always growing wiser.

Two hours had passed with no news. The young college student let out a soft groan, rubbing her temples in frustration.

"I wonder why they're taking so long," Yuuki mumbled.

The door to her room creaked open, revealing Asuka, carrying two bowls of food in her hands. "Our food's here!"

Yuuki's bad mood evaporated as a smile spread across her face. "Did you get my chicken katsu?!"

"Of course. Here you go." Asuka placed the bowl on Yuuki's table.

"How much was it?" Yuuki asked, her eyes still glued to the steaming bowl of food.

"It's on me. Don't worry about it. Consider it my gift to you for getting better," Asuka replied with a warm smile.

"This is the third gift you've given me, Asuka. I don't want to be a burden," Yuuki said, her eyes dimming slightly.

"... You're my only friend, Yuuki." The weight of Asuka's words hung in the air, making Yuuki's heart ache.

"I'm sorry," Yuuki whispered, lowering her head.

"Don't worry about it. Just enjoy your food." Asuka's smile remained unwavering, her eyes shining with a light that reassured Yuuki.

Yuuki smiled softly as she opened her katsu bowl and began eating with enthusiasm. It was just the kind of comfort food she needed to ease her frustration. Within minutes, she had devoured the entire meal, leaving nothing behind.

"Man, that was delicious," she remarked, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh.

Before she could say anything more, her phone rang. Raising an eyebrow, she reached for it, curious about what could be happening.

When Yuuki read the message on her phone, her eyes widened with pleasant surprise. "They're here!"

Hearing this, both girls jumped up from their seats and rushed to the entrance. But as they neared, they saw a large group of students already gathering, blocking their way.

"Darn, we'll miss them," Asuka exclaimed, frustration evident in her voice.

Yuuki glanced around, her eyes landing on a set of stairs nearby. Inspiration struck. "Let's go up there," she suggested.

Asuka followed Yuuki's gaze and nodded in agreement. The pair struggled to navigate through the throng of students, finally breaking free from the crowded space.

"Finally, I can breathe," Asuka remarked, taking a deep breath to fill her lungs.

"Let's not waste any time," Yuuki replied, already heading up the stairs. When they reached a particular window, the two peered out and saw a group of people below. Their attire was a striking blend of complex, gothic-themed clothing, interspersed with what appeared to be skin-tight suits.

"They remind me of cosplayers," Asuka murmured.

Yuuki saw the resemblance. Their clothing was indeed eccentric, seeming impractical at first glance, yet it also had a certain captivating allure. Perhaps the skin suits provided some hidden comfort.

If Yuuki had the chance, she would love to interview them about their way of life, culture, technology, or even fashion. It would provide more than enough material to fill her journal.

As Yuuki observed the group, her eyes were drawn to a particular figure—a white-haired man with striking golden eyes. Such a combination was uncommon, and it piqued her interest. Maybe the citizens of the Imperium possessed some form of biological or cosmetic modification.

To her surprise, the white-haired man suddenly looked up directly at her. Yuuki's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly ducked out of sight.

"What is it, Yuuki?" Asuka asked, noticing her friend's sudden movement.

"I think that man just looked at me," Yuuki replied, her voice tinged with anxiety. Before Asuka could respond, Yuuki's watch beeped, signaling the start of their class.

"We have class," Yuuki grumbled. "Perfect timing."

"I guess we have no choice. But look on the bright side—we have the Imperials here now. We'll see them again," Asuka assured, smiling.

"I hope so," Yuuki sighed as they made their way to the classroom.

The class proceeded as usual, with nothing out of the ordinary.

That changed when the door opened, revealing a figure that made Yuuki hold her breath.

"He will be joining your class," the professor announced. "Please, introduce yourself."

"My name is Alexis Zaldvian Astaros," the white-haired man said with a small smile. "I am the third son of House Astaros, and I have been chosen by His Majesty to be part of the first batch of exchange students. I hope we can work well together."