Interstellar Age

Mirage was in the middle of watching for signs of extra galactic life. Her department was made specifically to monitor the Naraku just outside the Milky Way. And for the most part, she had been doing her job with satisfactory results.

With Andromeda and Triangulum currently confirmed to be what were considered “Infested Galaxies” she had been these last few years studying what was happening in the other major galaxies within the local cluster as it was known.

She had recently discovered that in one of the other nearby major galaxies, there were indeed signs of intelligent life. However, these lifeforms themselves were currently struggling with an extra-galactic invasion by the Naraku.

The vast distance between the Milky Way and this Galaxy made it impractical to send aid to them. And even then, Erich’s plans for the future were to subjugate the Milky Way beneath the dominion of the Germanic Star-Empire. Turning it into a Galactic Empire, with a strict hierarchy of humanity at the top.

From there, they would venture beyond the borders of the Milky Way and spread the banners of the Galactic Empire to Andromeda, Triangulum and eventually the entirety of the Local Cluster. Though Erich had adamant on leading this eternal crusade against the Naraku, Mirage was skeptical of how long it could realistically last.

There would no doubt be centuries of peace where the goal of the empire was to incorporate its newfound territory, colonize it, and build it into a sustainable place for humanity to grow. Afterward, there would be another crusade against the Naraku declared where the emphasis over the following years would be warfare.

It wasn’t one eternal crusade. But a series of never ending crusades fought in between intervals of peace, where accumulation of strength for the next crusade was required. Frankly, this was actually a decent strategy from Mirage’s perspective.

The Germanic people had been conditioned for centuries to take the mantle of warriors. Meaning in order for their society to be stable there would always have to be an enemy to fight. And that was what the Naraku had become as her department discovered more and more galaxies which were either in the process of infestation, or were fully infested to begin with.

Still, there was something interesting that Mirage found as she was searching through the inter-galactic probes. One of the probes made contact with the local lifeforms in the aforementioned galaxy.

At first, they thought it was of ancient origins. In fact, the cameras on the probe watched their behavior as they themselves studied the probe. Meanwhile, the artificial intelligence inside rapidly translated their language into modern Germanic.

The alien lifeforms were humanoid, not that wasn’t entirely accurate. In fact, it would be more precise to call them near human. They appeared like human beings, but with Green skin, goldeneyes, and either white or black hair.

They also had weird tattoos across their body and had gradient and glowing eyes. Mirage watched with interest as their words were translated in real time from the artificial intelligence operating the probe.

“What do you think? Is it perhaps of Alcheratian design?”

However, another scientist was quick to comment on this question, suggesting what was unthinkable to the other scientists.

“Not at all. The Alchertians went extinct over 500,000 years ago. This… Is much newer. Recently manufactured within the last few decades according to my scans. And it appears to be extra-galactic in origin. Just like those damned bugs….”

The various scientists suddenly became shocked as they whispered among themselves various statements. Until finally, one of them directly questioned what the lead scientist had said.

“You mean to say this device is of Naraku origin? We should quickly dispose of it if that’s the case!”

However, the lead scientist was quick to deny this line of thinking, and even criticized her colleague for saying so.

“Not at all, you fool! The Naraku uses a unique form of biotechnology. This is clearly of mechanical design.”

The various other scientists quickly sighed in relief before one of them posed another question. Simply not putting together the pieces of the puzzle before them.

“Then what exactly is this? What does this mean?”

It could be observed that the lead scientist was frustrated with his team. Judging by the ongoing situation in the galaxy, it was entirely possible that he was left with whatever scientists remained living after the Naraku invasion.

And thus their quality was not up to par. As for the woman in charge of the group, she quickly explained what this meant like she was talking to a group of children.

“This means we’re not alone in the universe. In one of the neighboring galaxies, there are other lifeforms such as ourselves who make use of mechanical technology. We just don’t-“

The scientist was cut off by a holographic projection that appeared from within the probe. It was a projection of Mirage as she sat in her chair, observing them all, leaning back in her seat as she snacked on a bag of potato chips.

It was far from what one would call the most formal manner to approach extra galactic first contact. But then again, Mirage gave no fucks as she spoke to the alien lifeforms, who gazed upon her holographic figure with surprise, especially as her words were instantly translated by the AI into their native language.

“Relax, I’m not hostile to you. So it appears you all have contact with the Naraku as well. Though judging by the images my other probes have picked up, you are all fighting a losing battle, huh? That definitely sucks for you all.

Here in my galaxy, we have held the line quite well. And are projected to repel the invaders soon enough. Well, relatively speaking that is. I must as though, how much longer do you all think you can hold on to?

Because, while supporting you all isn’t a priority, given the span of several hundred years, it is likely that we will arrive in your galaxy to begin the purge of the bugs. After we take care of a few other galaxies in our way that is…”

The scientists were completely and utterly shocked. It would take them some time to come to terms with what they were dealing with. Which was first contact with a non-hostile extra galactic species. And because of this, Mirage would wait patiently for their response.