Interstellar Age

Decades passed in the blink of an eye. And during this time, the Galaxy saw a peace which was spread throughout its borders. For perhaps the first time in recorded history, the Milky Way saw no major wars between the major powers of their proxies.

Why, this was the case nobody knew. But many became concerned as continuous military buildup occurred throughout this time. The great galactic powers were preparing for something. Whether it was a major war with one another, or, god forbid, something much more sinister, nobody knew what.

Every ship that could be built, every armored vehicle that could be manufactured, every artillery piece that could be forged, and every suit of power armor that could be crafted was made during this time. The industries of the great powers were stressed to their absolute limits.

Conscription had become mandatory in this time, with the great powers forcing as large as a portion of their population into the war machine as they could. It was a time of great military and economic progress, but also a time of repression in regards to personal freedoms and liberties.

But such was needed for survival against a foe which sought to destroy the entire galaxy. A foe which the Milky Way and its denizens remained largely unaware of. Only those on a need to know basis knew about the Naraku, let alone the fact the two entire galaxies worth of the bugs would be coming for them.

And finally, the day came when the bugs invaded. In a single moment, on the fringes of the Milky Way, where many border fortifications had been built, an exceptionally large amount of Naraku Ships appeared. The entire galaxy had been encircled by overwhelming numbers of the bugs.

These border fortifications were not meant to hold the line and repel the attackers. Rather to act as a buffer, to warn the Galaxy of their impending doom, and buy them enough time to muster their forces in defense.

Of course, the moment the Naraku made contact with the galaxy, it could no longer be concealed from its denizens. Instead, it became abundantly clear why the insectoids were purged decades ago. And why the Great Powers had spent the last tens of years engaging in a mass mobilization of military forces.

Each Galactic leader took to their own media sources and proclaimed a united front against the Naraku. Declaring the bugs an enemy of all biological lifeforms, an enemy which they would exterminate no matter what the cost.

Erich himself took to the stage. Yet he was not on the Capital of the Germanic Star-Empire. Rather he was aboard the flagship of his Navy. A large Dreadnought, which acted as his personal warship, and held a weapon on its bow that was capable of single shotting a Naraku Queenship.

He appeared dressed not in his imperial regalia, but rather his Mk III Advanced Power Armor, while surrounded by the officers aboard the ship. The message he spoke to his people was a grim and sober one. Reminding them that if they lost this war, then they would lose everything. And that it was the duty of every citizen to fight and die for the Empire.

“By now you have all seen the videos taken from our frontier outposts… The Naraku have returned to the Galaxy. The truth of the matter is they are an extra-galactic menace. One which has spread across the vast boundaries of the universe, from an unknown origin.

We do not know how many galaxies have been infected by these damn bugs. But what we do know is that we are currently fighting for the very survival of not only our species. But all biological life within the Galaxy.

These vermin have come from Andromeda and Triangulum for a single purpose. To devour all life within the galaxy and reform it into a place that can spawn more of their wretched race. So I am calling upon all citizens of Germania to step forth, and take up arms if you have not done so already.

Our Empire depends on your courage now more than ever. Only united together do we stand a chance of saving ourselves. United we stand, divided we fall. Today, I, your Emperor, march forth to counter this extra-galactic menace. Should I die in battle, my spirit will rise from the ashes, and come forth to fight again, and again, until every last bug is purged from this galaxy.

Today, I declare humanity’s eternal crusade against the Naraku wherever we may find them across the universe. From this day, until the heat death of the universe, our people shall go forth and conquer, squashing these bugs wherever we may find them. Onwards and to victory!”

After saying this, the communication ceased, and Tia spoke to Erich in a conceited tone.

“It appears our calculations were correct. Your speech has invoked your people’s conditioning. The applications to enlist in the armed forces have shot through the roof. Even those who refused to participate in the armed forces over the past few decades have filed for enlistment.

Unlike in the previous timeline, I can assure you, Master, that we have the means to resurrect our losses for the next 25 years. After that…. Well, if we haven’t defeated the bugs by then. We might as well consider taking the Ark and leaving the galaxy altogether.”

Erich nodded his head in agreement with Tia’s assessment. However, he was quick to ask about something else altogether.

“And Ayumi? She has not yet returned from the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy, has she not?”

Tia, however, corrected Erich’s statement with a hint of smugness in her tone.

“That is correct, but you will be glad to know that her evolution has proceeded as intended. She is currently en route to return to the Milky Way as we speak. Let us just pray to the gods of your ancestors that when she returns, she still retains her sanity. Because if not, you may have just unleashed a far more fearsome creature on the universe…”

Erich understood that what he had forced Ayumi to undergo was a massive gamble. It could either be his people’s salvation or their damnation. Either way, it was a risk he had taken. One which he could not complain about now that the resorts were only a few million Lightyears away.

Instead, he focused his attention on what currently mattered.

“Then I suppose our job now is to buy the galaxy enough time for Ayumi to arrive….”

Tia remained silent, simply acknowledging Erich’s statement with a silent nod of her head. After decades of preparation, the battle between the inhabitants of the Milky Way, and the invaders from two other galaxies would finally begin.