GATE: Thus The Imperium of Man Fought There

The entire Sadera Empire was ablaze with activity when the Imperium's embassy was constructed. The structure stood tall and menacing, casting a shadow of awe and fear over any outsider who dared to gaze upon it.

Princess Pina had ensured that every major and minor noble of the empire made their way into the embassy, intent on establishing contact with the Imperium's officials. Her goal was clear: to forge alliances through power and intimidation. She personally brokered many important agreements, both public and secret, between Saderan nobility and the Imperium. 

Pina skillfully manipulated the negotiations to favor the Imperium's long-term interests. To conceal her true intent, she offered the nobles riches beyond their wildest dreams, riches that the Imperium could fabricate effortlessly in mere moments. All was proceeding according to plan until a troubling report reached her about an attack on Fortress Isan.

"I had hoped for a quieter night," Pina sighed, taking a sip of her wine.

"This is merely part of the process to accelerate the integration of this world into the Emperor's realm," Maia, the Solar Guardian, said with a slight smile. "Though it's moving slower due to our own laws."

"That law does more harm than good," Mal, the Apotechary, added with a grunt, glancing down at the secret meeting between Saderan and Imperial officials happening below.

"Speaking from experience, Lieutenant?" Pina asked, her tone friendly.

"Not personal experience, no. But history has proven it time and again," Mal replied with a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"What history, if I may ask?"

"I'm sure His Majesty has mentioned what happened during M18 in the Lost Age. Thousands of human worlds were lost, and when we finally reunited with them, they had devolved into primitives, savages even. Back then, humanity wasn't united. Some were benevolent, but many were not. We slaughtered entire worlds during that era, and while there were political reasons behind it, the main cause was simple disunity," Mal explained patiently.

"...Such as?" Pina inquired reluctantly.

"When the Federation was born, we attempted to erase the atrocities of the Scattered Age through peaceful reunification and cooperation, without bringing the Federation's full might to bear. Independent factions took advantage of this, exploiting the newly reunited worlds. By the time of the Imperium, His Majesty had adopted a more direct approach to ensure reunification. However, in armed conflict, we are forbidden from using the most destructive weapons," Mal added with a sigh.

"Is there a loophole?" Pina asked, taking another sip of her wine.

Mal smiled wryly. "There are a few. If a planet is declared part of the Imperium but resistance remains, the planetary government can call for Excommunicate Traitoris on the rebels. Or, in extreme cases, serious military intervention may be required."

"You know a lot, Mal," Maia remarked, her curiosity piqued.

"Medicine isn't the only field I've studied," Mal replied with a smirk.

Pina lowered her gaze, letting the conversation sink in as she considered her next move.

Before she could speak, a sizzling noise interrupted her thoughts. A Solar Guardian materialized out of thin air, fully armored with a familiar rifle on his back.

"Raphael, you didn't need to be so dramatic," Mal remarked, arms crossed.

"The Assassins found something interesting," Raphael said before tossing a bloodied fur cloak onto the table. Pina immediately recognized it.

"My brother's dog," she stated coldly.

"Indeed. It seems he sent it to assassinate you," Raphael confirmed.

"What will you do now, Princess?" Maia asked.

Pina rested her chin in her hand, her mind racing through possible scenarios. "My brother is reckless. He will try again. Given his motives, I wouldn't be surprised if he attempts to assassinate our father to gain favor and retaliate against the Imperium. With Isan's fall, he'll gain more supporters."

"It sounds like the perfect reason for you to claim the throne, Princess. Civil war is inevitable," Raphael interjected.

A heavy silence filled the room as the weight of the situation pressed down on everyone. Pina sighed, leaning back in her chair as if the burden of the world rested on her shoulders. The transhumans waited for her decision.

"Very well... I will make my claim."

___________________________________________________________________________

-M29. 671. Falmart. Prometheus Arcology-

Nanami Kuribayashi was en route to the infamous stronghold of the Imperium at Zalvus Hills. Just days earlier, her team had been surveying a JSDF base, trying to piece together the complexities of this ongoing conflict. True to the usual Japanese press stance, they had been critical of the JSDF's operations. Since the late 20th century, Japan had made it a point to steer clear of military operations or rearmament, and now, this war with the Empire had sparked discontent among the higher-ups. Public opinion was divided, with the majority favoring the closure of the Gate to avoid further conflict.

"Damn, those Imperials are no joke," one of her colleagues muttered in awe.

The comment snapped Nanami out of her thoughts. She raised her head, and there, an incredible sight greeted her eyes: a metallic structure, towering above all else, as imposing as a mountain of steel piercing the sky.

It took several minutes for their vehicle to approach a colossal steel wall that encircled the hill. The wall was massive, at least sixty meters high, with a flawless surface interrupted only by golden aquilas, ornately decorating its expanse. 

As they neared the wall, a section of the black structure disintegrated, revealing a mega fortress city made entirely of black metal and steel. Yet, despite its formidable appearance, it seemed almost alive.

"Welcome to the Prometheus Arcology. I am Captain Mordus, your guide." A deep, commanding voice, speaking flawless Japanese, jolted them out of their awe. Nanami turned toward the source. The figure was imposing—over two meters tall, clad in a gray skin suit, and hovering effortlessly with a mechanism beyond anything known on Earth.

Her colleagues, as well as the driver, stood frozen in awe. Nanami clapped her cheeks lightly to regain focus.

"We—we are from Japan, sir. As per our agreement, we would like to report on your base," her boss stammered, attempting to be as cordial as possible.

"We have been informed of your arrival," Captain Mordus replied smoothly. "Please, follow me and do not stray, as this is a highly discreet area."

They followed him through the massive complex, passing dozens, if not hundreds, of military and civilian personnel. The buildings loomed large, with their roots seemingly embedded in the steel floor beneath them. Nanami noticed that the entire structure moved and changed periodically, adapting and evolving as if with each passing second.

"I... I have a question," Nanami said cautiously, afraid of provoking the transhuman's intimidating aura. 

"Ask away, Lady Nanami," the captain responded softly, surprising her.

Nanami blinked in confusion, wondering how he knew her name. Then, she glanced down at the name tag on her chest. "Oh…" She felt slightly embarrassed before clearing her throat. "I was wondering why these structures seem..."

"Alive?" Mordus finished her sentence with a faint smile.

"Yes... How is that possible?" Nanami asked, trying to suppress her nervousness.

"It's a common phenomenon when a structure is less than a year old," Mordus explained. "The molecules forming the Omniphages, the nanomachines, are programmed to adapt and withstand even the most destructive forces."

"That's... remarkable engineering, Captain," Nanami said, her voice warm but filled with disbelief at the idea of physical matter capable of evolving.

"I will convey your gratitude to the Adept and the Arcant," Mordus stated.

The terms "Adept" and "Arcant" intrigued the entire crew. They gestured at Nanami to keep the conversation going.

"Those terms are new to us. Could you please explain?" she asked, choosing her words carefully. She had studied the Imperium's Japanese dialect from recordings of the Emperor's visit to Earth, finding it archaic yet captivating.

"An Adept is a title granted to an Imperial citizen who has reached the pinnacle of their specialization," Mordus began. "For instance, those who master the science of machines are titled Adept Technica. Then, there are the Arcant-Praefators, a sub-type of the Imperium's transhuman society, originating from Manufactorum worlds such as Mars. They are our innovators and the guardians of our technologies."

Nanami's colleagues quickly took notes. This new insight into the Imperium's societal structure would undoubtedly become a hot topic in Japan and around the world. It made them wonder just how vast and intricate the Imperium truly was.

"Please, park your car here," the Solar Guardian instructed as they arrived at a large hangar. Inside, they saw many transhumans and mortals working side by side. The interaction between organic and synthetic beings was astonishing, seamless, as if there was no distinction between them.

Some groups back on Earth were concerned about the implications of fully sentient artificial intelligence coexisting with humans. Some argued that synthetics might one day replace humans as society's rulers. But what Nanami witnessed here defied those fears. The synthetics and organics worked together in harmony, each fulfilling their duties with precision and expertise, complementing one another in ways that seemed almost impossible. She also observed they occasionally talked with their lips, but then they went silent. However, from their gestures, they were still communicating in a way she could not perceive. 

It was difficult for her mind to process the scene, its complexity beyond her imagination. And yet, amidst their coordinated efforts, she could spot occasional moments of joviality, emotions reflected in their eyes and expressions.

As Nanami glanced at the towering transhuman, he appeared unfazed by the awe-inspiring displays unfolding around them. His movements, though minimal, mirrored the actions of those around him. Unlike her peers, however, Nanami noticed the subtleties—his gestures seemed more restrained, as if designed to go unnoticed.

"Let's have a tour then," Mordus said, his voice welcoming but composed.

The crew quickly snapped out of their amazement, returning to their professional roles. Nanami herself had to take a moment to recompose, gathering her thoughts and resolve. This was more than just a guided tour—this was a window into a world that defied every expectation she had of science and technology. 

The transhuman led them down a path that opened into what appeared to be an enormous factory, but unlike anything Earth could produce. The sheer scale of the operation was overwhelming. When Nanami tentatively asked if her team could document the tour live, Mordus gave a nod of approval almost immediately, granting them access to record everything they saw.

Her team sprang into action, cameras rolling, microphones ready to capture every word and sound. Nanami tried to process what was happening around her. It was as if the very laws of physics she had been taught in school were being rewritten before her eyes. 

Matter materialized from nothingness, as raw materials were fabricated in an instant, seamlessly transforming into finished products. Metals, polymers, alloys, and countless others were conjured into being with such ease that it seemed like magic. 

The sheer efficiency was staggering. Machines and synthetics worked in perfect tandem, creating, disassembling, and remaking materials in an endless cycle of innovation. Nanami realized that the knowledge she had painstakingly learned during her studies barely scratched the surface of what was possible here.

"What you're witnessing," Mordus began as they continued down the assembly line, "is the work of the Matter Fabrication—the exotic machines responsible for molecular construction. The Imperium uses them to create everything, from simple utilitarian tools to the entire world. Nothing is wasted; matter is always created, constantly reshaped to serve new purposes."

Nanami watched in awe as a gigantic structure began to take form before her eyes, its shape shifting and evolving with each passing second. It was as though the very concept of creation had been perfected, and the barriers between science and fantasy were being erased right in front of her.

As the assembly process neared its completion, Nanami and her crew observed in stunned silence. The formless matter, which at first appeared as a pool of liquid, transformed into trillions of nanomachines. These machines, like a swarm of metallic insects, moved with impossible precision, reshaping the structure before them. A hissing sound echoed across the room, and flashes of lightning illuminated the air as the nanomachines worked. 

In moments, the amorphous mass had become a colossal metallic torso. The entire spectacle was otherworldly, leaving the group speechless.

"What you have witnessed," Mordus said, pride evident in his voice, "was the fabrication of a walker's torso. Titan Harbinger-class, I suppose."

"Titans?" one of Nanami's colleagues murmured, but even his hushed voice was heard by the transhuman.

"Our heavy walkers," Mordus confirmed, "let me show you."

With an unwavering command, Mordus led them through a corridor toward another sector. The entire crew continued recording, still in awe of the scale and complexity of the technology they were witnessing. When they arrived at the teleportarium, Mordus demonstrated its function, and in a sudden flash of light, they found themselves in an open field.

Nanami blinked, adjusting to the sudden shift, and when her vision cleared, the sight before her was overwhelming. Rows of metal titans stood in formation. Some defied gravity, floating in the air with mechanisms beyond comprehension, while others stood with sleek designs with sharp weapons gleaming menacingly. While the rest towered above all else, their sheer size dwarfing everything around them. Their blades crackled with lightning, and the cannons mounted on their bodies pulsed with a blue and green glow, capable of untold destruction. She scanned the place again, trying to find another peculiar sight. Then, she spotted a gigantic structure, twice larger than a titan, being covered in black cloth. 

Nanami couldn't believe what she was seeing. She turned to see even more—heavy artillery emerging from the ground, rows of war machines lined up as if preparing for an imminent battle. The sight was both mesmerizing and terrifying.

"Is this... for war?" Nanami muttered to herself, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Indeed," Mordus replied, standing beside her. "We are at war with the Empire. This is nothing more than preparation."

Nanami couldn't hold back her curiosity. "But... isn't this more than enough?"

Mordus glanced at her, his expression firm. "We are merely following our duty. This operation was decreed by the High Council of the Senatorum Imperialis, approved by the entire seats of the Conclave Imperialis Factionis, and sanctioned by the Tribunalis Supremis. Lastly, it was also blessed by the Emperor himself. With the support of all three main governing bodies as well as our Augustus Imperator, our efforts are fully backed by the Imperium."

His tone, cold and absolute, sent a shiver down Nanami's spine. The weight of his words, combined with the ominous presence of the war machines, made the reality of the situation all too clear.

The Japanese press crew continued recording, but their initial excitement had given way to an unspoken dread. The revelation before them painted a grim picture of what was to come.

When the footage reached Earth, the headlines told a terrifying story: "Imperium at War: Full-Scale Invasion Incoming!"