Imperium of Man Terra Aeterna Season 01: Rise of Humanity's War Machin

Haneda Airport, Tokyo — High Militarization Zone

A Valkyrie Sky Talon Transport hovered slowly before landing smoothly on the runway—one that now resembled an interplanetary military landing zone more than an international airport. The roar of turbo-vent engines and the screech of metal wheels against concrete created a heavy, oppressive atmosphere, far removed from anything civilian.

From inside the main command center stationed in the now-fortified control tower, Reuel watched through a large auspex screen. His gaze locked onto two figures just disembarking the aircraft—Yuriko Takagi and her daughter, Takagi Saya. They were flanked closely by elite Kasrkin and Cadian Shock Troopers, clad in full gear with hot-shot lasguns and multi-spectrum optic helmets.

Takagi Saya scanned the area with a mixture of awe, confusion, and a hint of unease. Every step they took revealed a world utterly alien. Strange aircraft hovered over hangars, twin-barreled tanks rumbled out from the terminal's shadows, escorted by convoys of armored vehicles adorned with the symbol of a double-headed eagle—an emblem she had never seen before, yet somehow felt… absolute.

Not far from them, a massive military camp sprawled out. Tactical tents, medical posts, and logistics stations were arranged with mechanical precision. Thousands of Astra Militarum personnel bustled about—clad in the proud green uniforms of the Imperium of Man, each busy with tasks and movements that never paused.

On the western end of the runway, a thunderous metallic roar echoed as an Ark-Class colony ship landed, shaking the earth with its impact. From within, women and children—survivors from the front lines or recently secured ruins—walked in orderly refugee formations. Armed guards escorted them toward evacuation tents.

Saya squinted as Medivac and Viking-class multirole craft—designed like mechanical insects—touched down nearby. From their armored hulls emerged foreign troops: Terran Marines and medics in dark blue armor. They carried heavy gear, moving swiftly in tight formations. The double-headed eagle crest was clearly visible on their shoulders and chests—different from the Imperium's, yet now allies all the same.

Takagi Saya stood frozen as she and her mother were escorted into the central command building filled with vox communication arrays, auspex panels, and tactical warzone displays. The tension inside matched the chaos outside—officers moved back and forth, faces grim, voices sharp with orders and status updates woven into the high-strung rhythm of total warfare.

But one thing Saya couldn't ignore: the soldiers lining the corridors—scarred, hardened, and haunted by battle—saluted her mother, Yuriko, with a level of respect Saya had rarely seen, even among high-ranking officials.

A quiet doubt began creeping into her mind.

Who exactly is my mother in this place? Why are they treating her like a general? Or... something more?

But she didn't ask. She knew her mother too well for that. Yuriko Takagi wasn't the kind of woman who explained things before the time was right.

And Saya knew—the answer would come… sooner or later.

---

"Reuel, I brought Takagi Saya here. You're not going to be mad at me, are you?"

Yuriko Takagi's voice echoed lightly as she stepped into the command center, which buzzed with relentless activity. The glow from tactical screens reflected off her silhouette as she approached, her eyes landing on the figure standing still at the center of the room—Reuel.

The man didn't move, his gaze locked on the main tactical display—a multi-layered world map, troop statistics, and real-time battlefield projections. His expression was deep, like he was drowning in a sea of data and responsibility.

Without much preamble, Yuriko stepped closer and murmured softly near his ear. "Hey."

Behind her, Takagi Saya entered with hesitant steps. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the extraordinary scene around her: command consoles with strange symbols, transparent screens with three-dimensional graphics, tactical tables displaying live battlefields, and military personnel from various worlds moving briskly, working in disciplined silence.

Her curiosity surged. The technology around her was more advanced than anything she had ever imagined. It felt like she was walking inside a spaceship or a futuristic lab—not in Tokyo.

Reuel finally turned. His gaze was sharp, yet warm. He looked at Yuriko, then shifted his attention to Saya, who stood just behind her.

A faint smile crossed his face. He gave Saya a small nod, then replied in a calm tone:

"You can bring anyone you want… as long as you stay safe here yourself."

Yuriko crossed her arms, pretending to be offended. "I brought her without your permission. You're really not mad?"

Reuel stared at her for a few seconds—silent. Watching a woman as strong as Yuriko pretend to look guilty was, for a moment, enough to crack the tension hanging in the air.

He let out a short sigh. "Don't look at me like that. It's creepy."

Yuriko rolled her eyes with a scoff. She then sat at the edge of the observation bench, pulling her daughter down to sit beside her. With a subtle motion, she whispered something into Saya's ear—making the girl blush and frown slightly in embarrassment.

---

A few meters away, one of the vox operators reported quickly, voice sharp but respectful:

"Your Grace, the rescue team has successfully evacuated 75,000 survivors. They've landed safely on the main runway."

"Hand their integration over to the Astra Militarum," Reuel replied without taking his eyes off the screen. "Merge them with the other refugee groups in Priority Safe Zone Two."

"Understood, Your Grace!"

Reuel remained in front of the holographic display, reviewing confirmations of logistics data, troop movements, and security statistics. Once everything had stabilized, he turned toward Yuriko and Saya, who were now quietly conversing at the side of the room.

With calm steps and a voice that was flat yet gentle, he approached them.

"It's time to head back to the residence," he said. "This place isn't suitable for outsiders."

Yuriko nodded, understanding his meaning. She stood without a word, then glanced at Saya. The girl was still scanning the room, clearly reluctant to tear her gaze away from the strange technology and unique personnel all around her.

But she knew—as always—her mother never revealed all her secrets in one day.

The three of them began to walk slowly out of the command center, the shifting lights of holographic displays casting their shadows across the corridor… a corridor no less filled with mystery.

---

Takagi Family Residence – Civilian Defense Zone

Amid the shadows of a global crisis and the tightening noose of the undead siege, Soichiro Takagi didn't have the luxury of standing still. His large hand pointed out structural weaknesses in the perimeter wall, now reinforced with every emergency resource available—including Reuel's converted shipping containers, repurposed into makeshift bunkers.

"Move it! Reinforce that wall right now! If it falls, the zombies will pour in without resistance!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the roar of welding torches and the clanging of steel. The survivors—some still in torn, dirtied civilian clothes—did their best to follow his orders, though their hands trembled and their eyes sagged with exhaustion.

In the back courtyard, hastily transformed into a temporary transition post, Takashi Komuro moved quickly toward Miyamoto Rei. There was unease in his steps, and the uncertainty in his eyes was impossible to miss.

"Rei, come with me," he said softly, almost a whisper. His voice lacked its usual strength. He was trying harder to convince himself than her.

But Rei just stared at him silently, then slowly shook her head.

"Even if we run… to where? Zombies are everywhere, Takashi."

Her voice was flat. Not from fatigue, but from having already passed the threshold of despair. For her, staying here—with people, weapons, and walls—made far more sense than wandering out into a world that had become nothing but the ghost of death.

"But we can't survive here forever!" Takashi replied, his tone rising. "How the hell are they going to hold out against… ten million zombies? If we stay, it's like waiting to die."

Rei didn't answer right away. She looked up at the grey sky, then back at Takashi—deeply, sharply.

"Then go. If I come with you, I'll only slow you down. So… don't drag me into your escape."

The words hit like a hammer. Not because they were cruel—but because they were true. And truth, more often than not, cuts deeper than anger.

To Rei, Takashi wasn't a coward—but he also wasn't someone she could count on when everything collapsed. He ran when the bus was attacked. And now he wanted to run again. To her, that pattern was too dangerous to repeat.

She feared that part of him—more than she feared the zombies.

Takashi lowered his head. Rei's words cut deeper than he'd expected.

"Then… I'll think about it," he muttered.

He knew—Rei wouldn't follow him. And after hearing those words, he wasn't sure if he even wanted to leave anymore. Ashamed. Doubtful. Wounded. His pride pinned his feet to the ground.

If I can survive the next zombie wave… maybe I'll stay. But if things get worse, if the food runs out… then I'll go first, he thought. A justification that felt more like a weak comfort to himself.

He turned slowly, walking away, leaving Rei standing still, her eyes fixed on the metal wall echoing with hammer strikes and welding sparks. Neither of them spoke again.

Two young souls. Two choices. Two ways of facing the end of the world.

And time kept moving forward.

---

Reuel's Return to the Estate

Reuel returned to the airport main estate, accompanied by Yuriko and her daughter, Takagi Saya.

As they stepped into the wide courtyard, a calm yet lively atmosphere greeted them. In a corner of the garden, Shizuka Marikawa and little Alice were playing with a puppy, their laughter blending with the warm afternoon air. Not far from them, Saeko Busujima was busy cleaning the family's private dojo, wiping the floor with quiet concentration. Upon noticing Reuel's arrival, Saeko immediately stood and approached, followed by Shizuka and Alice who ran over with cheerful smiles.

Shizuka instantly grabbed Saya with enthusiasm, chatting with her like they were old friends. Shizuka's warmth and friendliness helped Saya relax a little, even though she was still dazzled by the luxury and foreign technology surrounding her.

That evening, the servants prepared a full-course meal in the main dining hall. Reuel, noticeably more relaxed that night, invited all the women in the household to join the dinner. Only Rika Minami was absent—as usual, she chose to remain at the military barracks. The base was her world. The house was merely a stopover, not a home.

The dinner atmosphere was cozy and warm. Shizuka, in a particularly cheerful state, suddenly exclaimed, "Tonight we celebrate Takagi Saya's arrival!" She ordered the servants to bring out the entire wine reserve. Soon enough, the night turned into a semi-party.

Everyone got swept up in the lighthearted spirit of the evening. Laughter and conversation filled the room. Even little Alice joined in the fun, though only with warm water—about six cups—as adult drinks were clearly off-limits for her.

But once dinner was over and the others began retreating to their rooms, tipsy and sleepy, Reuel didn't follow. Instead, he went to his study, a quiet room filled with screens and data projections. Though his head buzzed slightly, his mind remained sharp.

One of his subordinates had just reported the presence of several primitive watercraft approaching from the northeast.

"Deploy the recon units," Reuel ordered firmly. "If they're civilians, rescue them. Re-use the Assassin Legion we deployed this morning. Most likely, it's remnants of the American fleet."

Not long after, soft footsteps echoed into the room. Yuriko Takagi entered the study, carrying a bottle of wine and two crystal glasses.

She looked at Reuel for a moment before asking gently, "What's on your mind, Lord Reuel?"

Reuel let out a short sigh. "Nothing… just a little irritated. Sit. Drink with me tonight."

"Heh, you think I don't know you? You're not the kind of man who gets upset over trivial things. Something's bothering you, isn't it?" Yuriko asked, staring him down as she poured the wine.

"Another fleet?" she continued. "From which country this time?"

"If they came to fight, just crush them. Problem solved."

Reuel smirked. "You've got a big chest… but sometimes you're stupid too."

"What did you just say?!" Yuriko snapped, eyes narrowing.

Reuel raised his hand in mock defense. "Alright, alright, I apologize. Bad habit."

"But seriously," he went on, his tone turning more solemn. "We need to know where they got the boats, how many of them there are, where they're operating, and… how many we can save."

Yuriko didn't respond, but the look in her eyes showed she understood. Reuel didn't just want to destroy. He wanted to map, to understand—and if possible, to control.

Human genetics in this world—especially among the women—were nearly perfect for the Imperium of Man. Ideal body proportions, high durability, and naturally dominant physical traits—all priceless biological assets. Sure, he could create all of it artificially in the Bioforges... but nature had already provided it here.

And he realized: if he wanted to build a new civilization atop the ruins of the old world, then the best resources—both human and genetic—could not be wasted.

Securing Asia was the next priority. America was stable. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa had been pacified. Only Russia, China, and the former Soviet regions in Central Asia remained.

Time would take care of the rest.

But before Reuel could dive deeper into his thoughts, Yuriko's voice cut through the silence.

"In that case… stop staring at my chest and just tell me what you really mean," Yuriko said, half-mocking.

Reuel sighed, then looked at her intently. "You know what I mean. Since the first time we met, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."

He slowly reached for her hand. His touch was steady, yet full of respect.

"I know you've always stood on the front lines... as a mother, a wife, and a leader. But tonight—let me see you just as a woman. A woman who makes me lose control."

Yuriko blushed. She tried to pull her hand away, but didn't really resist. "You bastard," she whispered.

Reuel gave a faint smile. "I'm just a man… in love with an extraordinary woman."

Their eyes locked. Silence filled the room, and without another word, Reuel gently pulled her into his arms.

And that night, they disappeared into the private quarters of the command center, leaving behind a world still spinning in the chaos of war and politics.

["What happens next? Feel free to use your imagination."]

---

The Next Morning

That morning, Reuel woke up alone. The bed was still warm, but empty. Yuriko had left earlier.

He wasn't surprised. He knew full well that Yuriko chose to leave before dawn—not out of regret, but to maintain boundaries. Especially so her daughter, Takagi Saya, would never know what had happened that night.

Reuel simply took a deep breath, then rose and prepared himself for the long day ahead.

---

At the Refugee Tent

In one of the newly set-up emergency logistic tents by the Astra Militarum, the air was still thick with tension.

"Big sis, are we going to sleep here? And… why are those big sisters crying?" asked Airi, a little girl with innocent eyes who had just been rescued from the ruins of a coastal village. She looked at the young women sitting with their knees drawn up, their bodies trembling, faces still streaked with tears.

"Yes, Airi. We'll stay here for now," Kiriko Miyamoto replied softly, though her voice held the firmness of an older sister trying to shield her sibling from harsh truths. "But don't bother them. They're trying to be strong."

Kiriko felt her chest tighten. Rage clouded her mind ever since she saw those women being offloaded from the rescue ship. Many of them were half-naked, their clothes torn, their eyes hollow. And worst of all, it wasn't just foreign soldiers who had done this—even some troops from their own country had taken part in the cycle of cruelty.

She hadn't expected the foreign ships—disguised as relief vessels—to turn into traps. The young women had been lured with promises of safety, only to be taken and turned into property.

"Are you all starting to get used to this place?" Kiriko asked, trying to spark a conversation to ease their anxiety.

"Let's all rest now. We're in a better place. They won't hurt us anymore."

A young mother clutched her baby tightly. Her voice was barely a whisper as she asked, "Are we... really safe now?"

"I don't know… but at least there are no more screams... or gunfire," murmured an older man, sitting near the tent's entrance, staring into the night.

"Who exactly saved us?" one of the women asked, her voice still trembling.

"They looked like soldiers… but not the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Their uniforms were different. And… their weapons... terrifying," another answered.

"Yeah… when those zombies got shot, their heads just exploded... like smashed watermelons," someone said, voice choking.

"And that huge ship... flying in the sky…" added a young girl, still in disbelief. "They took us there earlier… it was like something out of a sci-fi movie."

The tent fell silent for a while. Only the whisper of the night wind and faint sobs lingered in the air.

---

At the Command Center

Meanwhile, in the main command center, Reuel stood tall before a massive tactical screen. A detailed topographical map of Tokyo and its surrounding areas was displayed, marked with troop movements and red hot zones.

The wave of zombies—endless and soulless—continued to press toward Tokyo from the west and north.

"Your Grace," reported a logistics officer, "we've positioned our forces at all strategic points surrounding the Tokyo perimeter. All primary and secondary routes are secured. Mechanized units and heavy infantry are on standby."

Reuel didn't take his eyes off the screen. "Do whatever you deem necessary. Treat this as an interstellar war exercise."

He spoke calmly, but every word carried undeniable authority.

"I won't always be in the field myself. All of you need to get used to operating under Imperium military systems. This is no longer a local war. This is preparation for full-scale expansion."

"Understood, Your Grace," the officer replied respectfully, before returning to his tactical console.

Reuel stared at the screen for a moment longer, then narrowed his eyes.

Tokyo would be the first test—not just for the forces under his command, but for a world that would slowly have to accept one truth:

The Imperium of Man had arrived, and they never came just to save.