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

Dining Room, Moments After Rei's Testimony

The air in the dining room remained heavy, like it refused to move after Miyamoto Rei's story had ended. No one spoke-no one dared break the silence after such a horrifying truth had been laid bare: the destruction of the Takagi estate... and the tragic death of Soichiro Takagi, left behind and torn apart by the undead horde, all because of one person's mistake-Takashi Komuro.

Then-

Click.

The door slid open slowly.

A female servant entered cautiously, carrying a silver tray filled with warm food. The scent of meat stew and toasted bread filled the room. Yet no one moved. Every eye turned to one thing-or more precisely, one person.

Rei looked up, and her body froze instantly.

"...M-Mom?" she whispered, barely audible.

The servant-an older woman with neatly pinned-up hair and the uniform of a noble household-froze in place. Her eyes widened, and the tray in her hands nearly slipped.

"Rei?!"

In a flash, Rei jumped from her seat and ran to the woman, hugging her tightly, tears spilling from her eyes.

"Mom... You're really here... I thought... I thought you were dead..."

Kiriko Miyamoto returned the hug like she never wanted to let go.

"Rei... Oh my God, Rei... I can't believe we're seeing each other again."

Rei's sobs filled the room. The tension that had weighed down the atmosphere melted into a quiet, heartfelt moment. Other staff members bowed their heads, holding back emotions. A few even covered their mouths, fighting back tears.

Kiriko gently stroked her daughter's hair, then spoke softly.

"Your father... Tadashi... he and the other men stayed behind. They held off the undead so the rest of us could escape through the southern route, heading for Haneda Airport. We lost many along the way, but... we made it here because of their sacrifice."

Rei held on tighter, her voice trembling.

"...Dad..." she whispered.

Kiriko nodded, though her eyes glistened with tears.

"He was proud of you, Rei. To him, the most important thing was your survival. That was the one thing keeping him going to the very end."

But that warm atmosphere slowly shifted again, replaced by renewed tension.

As Rei, in a quiet voice, recounted who was responsible for the destruction of the Takagi estate-and said Takashi Komuro's name-the mood in the room darkened once more, this time with rage.

Kiriko fell silent for a moment, then her expression hardened. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice turned cold and sharp.

"Takashi Komuro... that little bastard."

Her hand clenched into a fist, her breathing heavy.

"One boy... and thousands are dead?! We've known him since he was a child, Rei! He used to greet us every morning. What... what the hell happened to him?"

Rei only bowed her head, tears still streaming.

"He's not the same person we knew, Mom. I didn't want to believe it either. But... what I saw at the Takagi estate-that wasn't Takashi anymore."

Kiriko's fists clenched tighter, but she drew a deep breath. Slowly, she stroked her daughter's head and composed herself.

"What matters is... you're here now."

And just then-

A small, innocent voice broke the fragile silence.

"Mom... who's the pretty big sister?"

Rei looked down-and there stood a little girl with bright blonde pigtails and wide, curious eyes. She was tugging gently at the edge of Kiriko's uniform.

Kiriko smiled softly, her eyes full of a mother's warmth.

"Airi, sweetheart... this is your big sister. Her name is Miyamoto Rei. From now on, she's your onee-chan, okay?"

Rei blinked, stunned.

"Mom...? Who is she?"

Kiriko looked at her daughter, this time with a nearly sacred gentleness.

"Her name is Airi. We found her alone in the ruins near the highway. We were being chased at the time. A lot of children got separated from their families. Your father... he said: if there's a child left behind, we have to save them. We... couldn't leave her."

Rei looked at Airi-the little girl beamed at her, then stepped forward and hugged her without hesitation.

"Nice to meet you too, onee-chan!"

And for the first time since the world collapsed, Rei laughed-a soft, genuine laugh. Not out of politeness or obligation. A laugh from the heart... and a smile that reached her eyes.

---

At the dining table, Yuriko Takagi watched from afar, joined by Shizuka Marikawa, Rika Minami, and Saya Takagi. None of them spoke. Even Saya-usually the first to snap or throw a fit-remained quiet. She understood: moments like this... were too rare to interrupt.

The silence eventually gave way naturally after nearly two hours, as tea was brewed again and the warm food Kiriko brought was finally eaten.

Yuriko lifted her teacup and spoke in a calm, regal tone:

"So... you're mother and daughter? And now... a new family."

She gave a small smile.

"The world has changed, but it seems... we can still find priceless things amidst the ruins."

Miyamoto Kiriko nodded slowly. Her voice trembled, still heavy with emotion.

"Yes... I never expected it myself. We truly believed we'd lost each other."

Yuriko Takagi studied her closely. Before her stood not just a survivor, but a strong woman-scarred, but unbroken. There was a reflection of herself in Kiriko; they weren't far apart in age, and their suffering seemed to mirror each other's.

Deep down, Yuriko began to form an idea. Kiriko couldn't be allowed to leave. Not just because of her bond with Rei... but for Yuriko's own reasons.

Reuel was a man of insatiable desire, and every night, for six hours straight, Yuriko had been his outlet-never once refusing him. Between love, resignation, and the need to survive, it all blurred together. She didn't complain, but sometimes she felt empty. Tired. Alone.

Maybe... Kiriko could be a companion. Someone who understood. Someone not to protect, but to walk beside her in this burned world.

As things settled and the others fell into casual conversation, Yuriko gave a subtle signal.

"Kiriko-san... would you come with me for a moment?"

They walked down a quiet corridor to a private room. Once the door closed, silence fell. Yuriko sat slowly on a long sofa and looked at Kiriko with serious eyes.

"I know this may sound sudden," she began gently. "But I'd like to offer you something."

Kiriko furrowed her brow, slightly confused.

"What do you mean, Yuriko-san?"

Yuriko took a deep breath.

"I want you to stay with me. With us. With Reuel," she said, calm but firm. "Not as a servant. But as family. As... Reuel's woman."

Kiriko froze. Her eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Yuriko-san... you mean, you want me to...?"

"Yes," Yuriko answered softly, cutting her off. "I know it's a lot. But we no longer live in a world ruled by conscience. In this world, power is everything. You know who Reuel is. You know his power. If you're with him, Rei will be safer. And you won't have to face this world alone anymore."

Kiriko closed her eyes. The image of her husband, Miyamoto Tadashi, flashed vividly in her mind. A man who gave everything for others. For them.

"I'm sorry, Tadashi... This world is too broken. I have to think of Rei now."

She opened her eyes again-this time filled with unwavering resolve.

"All right. If it's for Rei, I'll do it."

Yuriko smiled. Not a smile of victory, but the smile of someone who had finally found an ally. A friend.

"Welcome to the Reuel family."

From that night on, Reuel's family gained a new member.

Miyamoto Rei, Kiriko Miyamoto, and little Airi-they were no longer just survivors. They were part of Reuel's household...

---

After the shared meal and ensuring the survivors were safe, Rika Minami stepped outside, leaving behind the rare warmth in a world that had already collapsed. Her destination was clear-the office of Major Hellsker, acting commander of the Cadia Shock Troopers, now based in the emergency military complex at Haneda Airport, Tokyo.

She couldn't sit still. The past few days lingered in her mind. Her teammates-all killed in action. As their captain, Rika couldn't simply accept it. She refused to wait while the ones responsible walked free.

Knock... knock... knock...

"Enter," came a deep voice from inside the room.

"Sir! Rika Minami reporting!" she called out firmly, saluting with a military posture still stiff, though her body hadn't fully healed.

Major Hellsker looked at her from behind his desk, cluttered with maps and tactical reports. "You're... the woman who was injured during the zombie purge and survivor evac, aren't you? Are you fully recovered?"

"Yes, sir. I'm volunteering for the pursuit mission. The ones who killed my team... I'll find them myself."

Hellsker let out a quiet breath. His eyes locked on hers, weighing the request. He knew that look. If he denied her, Rika would go anyway-on her own. Better to have her officially, under command.

"Very well. Permission granted." Hellsker pulled a document from a folder stamped with the double-headed Aquila seal. "This is your new team. Former Russian military, now fresh recruits. Don't worry about the language-Vox units are in place with automatic translators."

Rika received the document with a crisp motion. "Understood, sir. Thank you."

Without wasting time, she left the office and headed straight to the logistics area to meet her new squad.

---

Temporary Military Base - Haneda Airport, Tokyo

The roar of engines, clanging metal, and shouted commands echoed across the hangar. Dozens of Chimera and Leman Russ Battle Tanks were being prepped for a full-scale operation.

Their target: Takashi Komuro-a civilian youth held responsible for the deaths of Astra Militarum recruits. That intel alone justified deploying a full battalion.

This time, the majority being sent in were Cadia Shock Trooper veterans, along with local military personnel now sworn under the banner of the Imperium.

In the middle of the preparations, tension flared in a corner of the command area. An Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus-clad in signature armor with eyes burning in rage-had a bolt pistol aimed at a young Acolyte. Beside him stood a Sister of Battle, clad in power armor etched with the symbol of the Ecclesiarchy.

"What's your excuse this time?" the Inquisitor growled. "How many times has that heretic boy slipped past your surveillance?"

"F-forgive me, Lord! I... I'll fix it-"

BLAM.

A massive hole tore through the Acolyte's chest. His body crumpled to the floor, lifeless.

No one reacted.

The Adeptus Arbites-holy enforcers of the Imperium-barely glanced before returning to their duties. They understood. Under the Imperium, failure was not just a mistake-it was a sin.

Without delay, the Inquisitor gave the signal. Thousands of servo-skulls were launched from the communications tower, shooting off in all directions across the city, sweeping through areas like the former Takagi estate on Tokyo's outskirts. In the skies above, hundreds of Banshee Interceptors and Valkyrie Assault Carriers took off, scattering into search formations.

Heavy combat vehicles like the Crassus Armoured Transports, Gorgon Super Heavies, and Taurox Primes-carrying elite Kasrkin-began rolling out of the hangars, forming a massive convoy headed toward the city center.

The Tokyo lockdown operation had begun.

---

Astra Militarum forces would sweep every street, execute every zombie encountered, and-if necessary-flatten entire blocks to prevent the escape of Takashi Komuro and his group.

Hundreds of war machines were mobilized: - Chimeras and Leman Russ tanks cleared the way, - Gorgon Heavy Transporters and Crassus Armoured Assault Transports carried the main infantry, - Taurox Primes followed in the rear with Kasrkin units inside-the Astra Militarum's deadliest force.

Haneda Airport had been almost entirely cleared. The last vehicles rumbled out through the main gate, leaving behind only a handful of logistics crews and sensorium staff. That day, the capital of Japan became the target of a full-scale military operation by the Imperium of Man.

And Takashi Komuro... was now enemy number one.

---

Gorgon Heavy Transporters

The Gorgon is a super-heavy troop transport vehicle used by the Astra Militarum. As the largest infantry transport vehicle in the arsenal of the Imperium of Man, the Gorgon is capable of carrying up to fifty soldiers in a single deployment—nearly five times the standard capacity of a Chimera, and nearly twice as large as the Crassus Infantry Transport, which is also classified as super-heavy. However, this massive size comes with drawbacks: extremely slow speed and limited armament. For this reason, the Gorgon is rarely deployed to the front lines of fast-paced combat, and is more commonly used in trench warfare or siege operations.

The origin of the Gorgon remains uncertain, even to the Adeptus Mechanicus. However, it is confirmed that the vehicle originates from Forge World Vanaheim, an industrial world known for producing massive war engines. In combat, the Gorgon serves as a personnel delivery vehicle, advancing towards enemy lines through open terrain known as No Man's Land—zones where artillery and automatic gunfire cut down anything that moves. The Astra Militarum uses the Gorgon to bring their troops as close as possible to enemy positions, where their overwhelming infantry numbers can be deployed to full effect.

One of the largest operations involving the Gorgon was during the early stages of the Siege of Vraks, when it was widely deployed by the 88th Siege Regiment of the Death Korps of Krieg. In such static warfare, the Gorgon demonstrated its true purpose—not as a fast assault vehicle, but as a moving fortress delivering death in bulk.

The Gorgon's reliance on thick armor and supporting artillery fire from other units makes it a breakthrough vehicle that requires tight escort. It is typically accompanied by fire support from Basilisk or Medusa artillery units to suppress enemy positions as it advances. The Gorgon's front ramp is extremely thick, resistant to direct hits from heavy weaponry, and doubles as a dozer blade to clear battlefield obstacles. In addition to infantry, the Gorgon is also capable of carrying two Cyclops remote-controlled demolition tanks along with their operators.

In terms of weaponry, the Gorgon is typically equipped with two twin-linked Heavy Stubbers mounted on a raised rear deck. Its flanks feature four single-use mortar launchers operated by two gunners at the rear. In certain configurations, these mortars can be replaced with four sponson-mounted weapons such as Heavy Flamers, Heavy Stubbers, or Heavy Bolters, depending on mission requirements. The Gorgon can also be outfitted with additional equipment including camouflage netting, Hunter-Killer Missiles, searchlights, smoke launchers, and track guards. There are rumors of a variant Gorgon featuring a sealed roof and expanded weapon loadout, though no official confirmation of such a version exists to date.

Technically, the Gorgon is powered by an XD503 V12 P6 Multi-Fuel Dual Engine, with a total weight of 220 tons. It measures 13.9 meters in length, 8.1 meters in width, and 4.9 meters in height, with a ground clearance of approximately 0.74 meters. Its armor plating is 200 millimeters thick on the upper superstructure and 180 millimeters on the hull. Its top speed is limited to about 27 kilometers per hour on roads, dropping to 19 kilometers per hour in off-road conditions. It carries a primary ammunition load of 8,000 rounds, while secondary armaments are limited to just four rounds. The Gorgon has the transport capacity for fifty infantry personnel or two Cyclops units, although the exact number of access hatches and firing ports remains unknown. The vehicle is designated under the code: 5657-776-0155-GO99.