Chapter 15: Welcome to Japan

-M29. 671. JSDF Base-

As they entered the inner base, the 5th team spotted a massive Thunderbringer-class airship, an Aquila Tempestus airship. It is near twice the size of their Land raider. Instead of flawless metal skin, its surface was ornamented with nano-scale detail embellishment. The Golden Aquila symbol deep marked in its Auramite structure.

Despite its artistic appearance, this airship is filled with esoteric weaponry and various defensive mechanisms that originated of the best from Mars.

"So, Lord General had first arrived here before us. Since when?" Mal remarked, holding his chin in wonder.

"That vehicle not only provides with finest weaponry and armor. It was also included with one of our most advanced forms of stealth technology." Maiya replied her comrade, smiling as her eyes scanned the personal vehicle of the Lord General.

"He is Lord General, after all—moreover, a Lord General Sol. A man is responsible for security around the Sol system and its surrounding systems. Nothing in particular." Nathaniel added.

"But still. Thunderbringer airship... Adrathic Annihilator and Twin-linked Neutron Laser Destructor... those weapons alone... It was the best that the JSDF were not aware of those mass destruction tools' capability." As an Apothecary who grew up inside a medical school, Mal was unfamiliar with Imperium's weapon arsenal.

"I hope they never learn that," Raias decide to end the conversation, receiving nods from his teammate.

They entered the base. Due to the Land Raider's size, it could not enter the deeper zone as it would block a large portion of the passage.

The giant vehicle stopped as Raias used his vox channel to speak with the Princess. "I will open the door for you, Princess. I hope we manage you with a good trip."

"Let's meet up with the Lord General, then." With that, the 5th Recon Team went outside their Land Raider.

"So this is JSDF base," Pina muttered as she looked at her surroundings.

"It was much larger than our military barracks," The blonde mused.

Not long after, Itami's team arrived with their own version of horseless carriages.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Captain." Itami greeted the Solar Guardian.

"Don'y worry. We also just arrived." The transhuman waved his hand in dismissal.

"Still, I was surprised how fast that tank could move," The Japanese said with a wry smile.

"It is a grav-vehicle. Without gravity and friction, it can move like the wind," Nathaniel told the JSDF with a smirk.

"Don't know why; I feel jealous," Kurata muttered, feeling a wry taste in his mouth.

"Waits for 27.000 years, then you will have it." Kuribayashi retorted.

"Damn, I wonder how advanced we are in that... M29, right?" The young JSDF asked the red-haired Solar Guardian, which only received a wink.

"You will see when you come to our Gate." The answer made the said man widen his eyes.

"Am I invited?!" He asked enthusiastically.

"Hmmmm..." Mal hummed, then he smiled. "Maybe."

This leaves the young man to deadpanned at the Solar Guardian's antics.

"I wonder. Are they truly the same soldiers we've seen before. I mean... They slaughter those bandits cold-hearted." Kuwahara murmured to his superior.

"Maybe they are more complex than our thoughts. Or maybe they are just like us, normal people." Itami said to him, shrugging.

"Because we are designed to become Imperial Citizen's direct defender," Mal's voice interjected. "Even though we are transhuman. Our augmentations template did not put our existence far from our original species. Though it did not apply to the two highest ranks of transhuman society." In the last sentence, he chooses to whisper it.

"I see... Your Imperium must be something, Lieutenant Mal." Itami said with a soft smile.

"You will see," He smirked at the JSDF. "You will see."

Thus, the team walked to the command base. There, they could witness the full glory of Aquila Tempestus floating above the ground. It was a true marvel of arts and technology.

"What is that?" Itami questioned.

"It must be our Lord General, the golden armored man you see in Italica," Raias answered.

"This thing... I... Did you people love having a gigantic vehicle?" It was an obvious question for the JSDF and Falmartian. Yet, it was for a very different reason.

The Falmartian think it would be a devastating firepower on the battlefield. Where on the other hand, JSDF thinks it is impractical.

"The answer is most likely a historical story. But to keep it short, our doctrine has significantly changed through countless generations. Your generation thinks it would be impractical. But think of it. When just four of us could deliver such destructive power, imagine what our tanks and airships could do. With that, we must adapt to endure the same punishment; we develop a stronger defensive mechanism and even stealth capability to keep our assets hidden while possessing such firepower and endurance." Raias explained with a clear voice.

Anyone who had witnessed their power at the battle of Italica began to shudder. Moreover, the 3rd Recon Team and the trio could not forget the moment the Solar Guardians massacred the mighty Fire Dragon, a being that once believed unbeatable.

___________________________________

"That's what I mean, General Hazama." Agral stood inside a massive tent designed for him. Sat before him is General Hazama, his eyes laid down on the table filled with paper documents.

"I can't say for sure, Lord General. This demand is remarkable to put into words. This will need time to report back to Parliament." The old General carefully said to the golden giant.

"I know, General. But this demand came directly from the Emperor himself. His Majesty wants to create a diplomatic tie between us as soon as possible." The Lord General said diplomatically.

"I know, but... This information is overwhelming. You want your men to meet with the Parliament and even further build an embassy in Japan. Yet, I doubt the rest of the world is ready for this revelation." Hazama speaks with rationality.

Hazama could barely imagine what kind of uproar would be created if they revealed Imperium's existence without further preparation. Yet, the Lord General smiled in

"I know your worries, General Hazama. Thus, I suggest this plan for you." Another document is being pulled by the Lord General from a section of his armor, putting it on the table.

Hazama opens it, reading every section of the paper with a calculating look.

"You... Made this plan?" The plan itself is very complex. It is filled with contingency plans and a specific demand to whom it will be delivered. It was a very detailed plan; no one could trace any flaws.

So perfect as it was inhuman to be made by a normal human.

"I... I will send it to my superior." Hazama finally said it, trying to keep his calm composure.

"I know you will, General. Emperor told me that if this negotiation went smoothly, he would grant your people and nation a gift beyond your world's widest dream." This statement not only causes Hazama to widen in shock and all JSDF personnel around him. Of course, they have heard the feats of Imperium of Man's Solar Guardians in action. Such a civilization granted them a gift that claimed to be beyond their imagination was absurd.

"Humanity must help each other to survive in this cruel universe. With that, Imperium of Man will gladly help our younger brother." The Lord General continued. Even though his face is stoic, genuine emotion is clearly emitted from his demeanor.

"I will present this to the Parliament with all my best, Lord General. Your words will come to them." Hazama did not have any other choices besides accepting the offer.

"I hope your leaders can make the correct decision." Agral smiled, nodding his head. "Then I shall take my leave as I have another appointment to return to Imperial Palace."

"Very well. I hope you will return safely, Lord General." Hazama smiled in return at the giant.

"I hope your people prosper, General Hazama. Farewell." General Agral leaves the tent, followed by his honored guards.

"Lord General." Someone greeted him.

"Captain Raias. I see you have arrived on time." Lord General Sol addressed the Captain, receiving a nod from the Solar Guardian.

"It will be our formal first contact with our M2 counterparts. There must be no flaw in our diplomatic endeavor." He replied firmly.

"Indeed. As it was the Emperor's will, we must carry it out with perfection. Furthermore, we have ancestors to guide." Both transhumans turn their eyes to the JSDF crowd. Although they have endured war that cost tens of millions, they are still blind. They have seen the horrors of carnage and blood, yet they know nothing about the true arch-enemies. They have witnessed countless depravity but are utterly unknown of the truth of such an ugly concept.

"We will save them," Raias said with determination.

"We will, Captain. Imperium shelters all." The General responded, putting his fist on his chest.

"Imperium shelters all," Raias said proudly.

"I want to inform you something, Captain." The General switches the topic.

"What is it, my lord?" The Solar Guardian stiffened, prepared for everything.

It did not appear to be a large stream of data. It is only a single document. When he opens it, Raias' eyes widen in shock.

_______________________________________

-The Next Day-

As the sun rose, they prepared to travel beyond the Gate. It was the moment that began to unfold.

The Solar Guardians did not wear their armor in order to not inflict any unwanted fear and intimidation. Now they used their combat skin suit. Rather than a true armor like their Nano suit, this suit will provide the Solar Guardian with enchanted fabric that acts as a second muscle. It also became their second skin as every fiber is constantly adapting material.

They wore gray long-sleeve vests that bore their name, ranks, and Imperial Aquila.

"All 5th Recon Team is ready," Raias said to Itami.

"Whoa. All of you look stunning." Itami praised the 5th Recon Team.

"It's just secondary clothing for us, military," Nathaniel replied as he chuckled in amusement.

"That tightness... Isn't that suffocating?" Kuribayashi asked.

"Actually, it didn't. This suit acts as our second skin. Furthermore, it will keep our bodies in prime condition no matter how harsh the climate is." The red-haired Solar Guardian responded.

"Future... Banzai." The JSDF muttered.

"Banzai?" Raias asked the female Solar Guardian.

"It has two meanings. Either warcry or a cheer." Maiya answered, stretching two of her fingers.

"It was a cheer, then." He murmured to himself. "What a culture."

Then, the sound of a car came into the Captain's ears. He glanced at the source. There, he spotted a car. Raias could see through the car's dark windows thanks to his enhanced eyes.

"That man again." Raias simply said to himself.

"You will bring them with you, Itami," Yanagida told the Japanese Lieutenant.

"What?!" He shouted in disbelief.

As the JSDF men argued why the Princess insisted on coming with them, Raias began thinking about the duty he had acquired a day prior.

"It will be complicated, huh." He sighed. Even with his transhuman enchantments, he can feel his mental strength slowly drained.

"Very well, then. I will keep her safe." Itami finally surrendered to his argument, sighing in exhaustion.

"Good, I'm sure I can count on you." Yanagida returns to his car, leaving the group with a small smile on his face.

"That smile... It gives me a bad feeling." Surprisingly, it was Mal who remarked.

"If there is nothing else, the Gate will be opened."

A sound of shivering metal rang across the base. The massive construction around the Gate slowly began to open. As the true construct of the magical Gate laid perfectly still.

"Let's in!" Itami shouted warmly.

_____________________________________________________

"Whoa!" Maiya gasped in awe.

Tall buildings surround them. They are made with a metal frame, and glass fills every side of them. By the fine-made glass, they could see what lies inside.

"These buildings... Impossible." Pina could not believe her eyes as the grand architecture baffled her logic and sense.

"I wish I could visit the library." Maiya's transhuman brain and WAR-CASTER began to analyze the calculations that created the skyscrapers. Due to her WAR-CASTER, she could record the entire calculations.

"So... Even at M2, humanity was able to build a prototype of acrology." Hearing that statement, the rest of the team started their own calculations.

"Well... Maybe three centuries." Mal added.

"If they have our assistance, they can accelerate it significantly. Well, I can bet around five decades." Raias said out loud, earning frowns from the rest of the group.

"What is arcology?" Lelei asked, walking closer to the Solar Guardians.

"Well. How I put this into a term that you might understand." Raias rubbed his chin, wondering about the correct answer. It did not take a long second due to his transhuman mind.

"Imagine an entire country compressed into a single gigantic building. That building was designed to house tens of millions." Raias explained. Though, Lelei only looked more confused.

"What about the food? A population that big just inside a single building. Won't there is famine. Also, with population in that size. How do you manage the ventilation? Also, we humans need something to flourish ourselves... How?" As they expected. This girl is much more intelligent than anyone in her world.

"Arcology was something that we created to be entirely self-sufficient. It has everything that a country could provide. You can name it. Industrial complex, living environment, recreation sections, food processor, military infrastructure." As Raias numbered the most basic facilities within an arcology. Yet, he uses the most basic arcology within the Imperium of Man. Despite that, Lelei's eyes widen in astonishment, her mouth agape in amazement.

"For some cases, the arcology will also contain beach and even the entire landscape." This shocked the blue-haired mage to her core. The marvel of such engineering baffled the curious young girl.

Not only her. Everyone who heard that was also shocked beyond belief.

"I will regret asking this, but curiosity needs to be satisfied." Lelei gulping. "Are... Are the Imperium's housing entirely made from this arcology?"

"Mostly, yes." The Captain simply replied, hiding a smirk under his helmet.

"I... I want to go to Imperium. I want to learn." She muttered to Raias' amusement.

"Well... I think I know who I will list in that Prospero's scholarship." Raias said to himself, smirking with enthusiasm.

Without further ado, Itami filled out the document they needed to pass the guard. In the meantime, the Solar Guardians began to scan the entire section of the city using their WAR-CASTER. Using some help from UR-982, they managed to get the complete data of them.

"82, since you've hacked their data. Can you keep us safe from... Unwanted espionage." Raias said as his voice did not come out thanks to his mask.

"Of course, Captain," The Man of Iron went silent for nanoseconds. "Well. We have America, China, and Russia plotting some 'silent' extraction on us."

"Those three nations... This will be a good report for Lord General." The Solar Guardian mused, nodding his head in confirmation. "Keep your eyes open, 82."

"Always,"

Then, he heard a scream from Kuribayashi.

"HE IS A SPECIAL FORCE AND RANGER?! IMPOSSIBLE!!!" She screamed, holding her head as she shook it to ensure she was not hallucinating.

But that was not the main interest. Instead, a man who stood between her and Itami concerned Raias as he recognized that man from various data he had.

"Public Security. Well, all cards are on the table now." It was a predicted move. As the issue about three great nations making their move, Japanese intelligence must also involve.

Raias chose to approach them slowly as he used his diplomatic persona. "What's going on?"

"Ah, this is the one you mentioned in your report, Itami. Name Kamado." The man extends his hand.

"Captain Raias Seloce. Nice to meet you, Mr. Kamado." The Solar Guardian accepted the mortal's introductions. The fact that Raias spoke fluent Japanese made the old Japanese widen his eyes.

"I don't know you can speak Japanese, Captain Raias." The question earned a chuckle from the transhuman.

"We can learn more if you want, Mr. Kamado." He joked.

"Despite your size and menacing presence, Captain, you have very good humor." The mortal said as he began to laugh in amusement.

"I hope I can blend perfectly with your culture, Mr Kamado. Since we have been separated by tens of thousands of years of progress. I hope we can find our similarities." The tone forged deep into his DNA enabled Raias to pronoun his words in the most fluent and diplomatic ways possible. Different from when he was in Falmart, this one, he put a considerable amount of sentiment to put a sentimental reaction.

"I see... The future is indeed a miracle. If your country, Imperium of Man, cultivated a man like you. A perfect human that excelled both in warfare and diplomacy. It must be a marvelous country." Kamado remarked, smiling weakly as his eyes closed in admiration.

"That future is indeed a miracle, Mr. Kamado. And the presence of mine here is to ensure that particular future will come to pass on your world." Raias said with a boast optimism, tempting like a glorious treasure awaits ahead.

"Even that future came to us. I'm not sure I will live long enough to see that future unfold." A burst of ironic laughter escapes from his mouth.

"Even though you won't witness that dawn era. Imperium of Man will ensure that the future will come to your future generation." Raias replied with a sign of pride behind his feature.

"Good words, Captain. Good words," he remarked, smiling broadly. "You must hurry, then. The Parliament will be uproar if you leave them too long, Itami."

"I know, I know. Everyone, let's head into the bus... But..." Itami eyed the Solar Guardians. Their size prohibited them from entering any vehicles they could provide.

"And we can't make them walk as it will ruin either our or their image," Tomita added as his brain started to recollect every vehicle would fit them.

"I guess it was the best moment to use our contingency plan." Nathaniel addressed his Captain.

"You're right. Hang on for a second." Raias contacted the Ferrous Mind. "82, I need a hand here."

"Just in a second." The Ferrous Mind replied.

"We just have to wait now." The Captain told the group. Not long after, a bus-sized metallic vehicle came out from the Gate. It floats, serving its purpose as a grav-vehicle.

"What..." Komakado said, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"It was very... A common thing when I accompanied them." Itami dryly noted.

Did not want to waste any more time, the 5th Recon Team entered their vehicle. Before anyone could ask, Raias said to them softly.

"Do not worry. It did not possess any weapons." This statement did little to calm the Public Security officer.

"If everything is on the line, let's immediately head to the Diet building." Itami's voice resounded.