I am the Emperor of Humanity across the Multiverse

At the entrance of the record store:

"Is that an alien spaceship?"

"Just by its shape alone, it doesn't look like something humans could build."

"Even without a reference point, I'd say that thing is massive, easily over a hundred kilometers in length."

The surrounding people began discussing it animatedly.

The woman in the couple felt uneasy after hearing the words "hundred kilometers" and nervously asked her boyfriend:

"Oh my god... Do you think they've come with friendly intentions to visit Earth and humanity?"

"Friendly?" The man was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile: 

"If they were friendly, do you think Mr. Samuel Young would look so serious? 'Visit' doesn't seem like the right word. More like 'invasion.'"

"What?! Then what should we do?" The woman's worry deepened, her voice filled with helplessness and confusion.

"Let's hope Atlas has a solution." The man sighed, clearly placing all his hope in Atlas rather than the UN or any country.

At this moment, the holographic screen switched back to Samuel Young's office, where he continued: 

"As you can see, this is live footage from one of our research satellites orbiting Mars.

According to initial scans, the object is approximately 800 kilometers long and 550 kilometers wide, with a mass equivalent to one-quarter of the moon.

Moreover, this object is approaching Earth at a speed of 4 million kilometers per hour. If it doesn't slow down, it will collide with Earth in 60 hours.

However, based on our team's calculations and observations, it appears the object has been decelerating since entering the solar system. This gives our fleet a window of opportunity to intercept it."

"Yes, our company successfully launched the first military-grade space vessel in 1999, and as of today, there are a total of seven warships docked at the spaceport."

!!!

The crowd outside the record store was stunned, unable to comprehend that Atlas had already built seven space warships!

Likewise, viewers of Seattle Midday News, while browsing the Atlas website and watching Samuel's speech, erupted with excitement:

ParatrooperStraightIntoBattle!: "I knew it! I knew it! Hahaha, Atlas never disappoints!!"

User3367: "Why are you so excited about just seven ships? The spaceport is barely eight or nine kilometers long, so how big can the ships really be? We're doomed either way."

SupremeWarrior: "Dude, Atlas says there are seven ships, but who knows the actual number? Whatever, I don't feel like explaining. You just keep being pessimistic. Good luck!"

User1237: "Chill out, guys. As for the guy two posts up, having space warships means we have a fighting chance! You get it? Jeez, unbelievable!"

Meanwhile, 11,000 kilometers away, in Seattle, part of the Pacific Time Zone, the atmosphere was much more celebratory.

Despite the public screens also broadcasting Samuel's speech, the streets were filled with cheers, far more upbeat and enthusiastic compared to Libreville, the capital of Gabon.

After all, Seattle was where Atlas had its roots, the first city to be "assimilated" by the company, and its residents had the utmost confidence and support for Atlas.

At this moment:

In the top-floor office of the Atlas headquarters in downtown Seattle, Samuel Young sat behind his desk, facing the camera.

In front of him, a filming team of over ten public relations staff assisted their boss in delivering his speech to humanity with the best presentation possible.

After a brief pause, Samuel resumed: 

"Our company will dispatch a fleet of these seven warships to the designated space zone, with an estimated time of forty-two hours until contact with the extraterrestrial object, where we will commence interception.

I understand that some people are pessimistic about this mission, believing that if the other side is already a civilization capable of interstellar travel, we humans, who haven't even conquered the solar system, stand no chance. 

But what I want to say is that humanity has survived to this day thanks to both luck and inevitable progress in our civilization. What's more, we've faced the unknown and fear with courage!

Yes, to some, seven warships may seem insignificant, but to me and many hopeful citizens, it's our chance to take a gamble with the odds in our favor!

What is there to fear? Don't forget! Our ancestors triumphed over countless terrifying beasts, and no matter how advanced the intruders may be, Atlas—no, humanity—will fight them to the end!"

Finally, Samuel's fervor subsided, and his tone shifted:

"Our company will provide real-time updates on the situation through our website. Additionally, our armed division will work closely with local police and military forces to maintain order during the fleet's interception, preventing anyone from exploiting the situation for chaos.

That is all."

Once he finished speaking, the filming team gestured to their boss, indicating that the recording had ended.

The team leader, wearing a black baseball cap, said, "Boss, the PR department will closely monitor global developments and coordinate with the news and internet departments to address any sudden issues. If there are no further instructions, we'll take our leave."

"Just ask Saint Gillies to come in, that'll be all," Samuel replied with a nod.

"Understood."

With that, the PR team packed up their equipment and left through the automatic door one by one.

It wasn't long before—

Thud, thud.

Heavy footsteps echoed as Saint Gillies, standing 2.7 meters tall, with pristine white wings extending his height to 3.2 meters, walked into the top-floor office.

…

Seeing his son, clad in a prototype suit of power armor made from mithril, with a stern and determined face, Samuel Young felt a moment of nostalgia.

It seemed like only yesterday when Saint Gillies used to privately bicker with Guilliman, but now he had grown so much. Of course, they hadn't seen each other in two years. If not for this event, the reunion might have been delayed even longer.

"Father, did you summon me back to lead the team in boarding that alien vessel?"

"That's right."

Saint Gillies' question snapped Samuel back to reality.

He stood up, walked around his desk, and headed to the right side of the office.

Taking the Empire's Spear from the wall, he turned and handed it to Saint Gillies, saying solemnly:

"My son, I believe this weapon, known as the Empire's Spear, suits you well. I hope it will help you slay as many alien scum as possible, and lead your brothers and the assault team to capture that alien vessel."

___________________

Read Ahead

[email protected]/Mutter

Get 33% off all subscription levels from Jan 10–17! Use code: CF4C2