Interstellar Age

Chapter 412 Leading By Example

While the Naraku Scout Fleets were eliminated one by one over the course of the next few weeks. The sieges on insectoid worlds continued, after all, laying siege to a planet that had been converted into one giant Hive, and eliminating all life within it via conventional means too much longer to accomplish than simply annihilating a fleet in space.

The crusade against the Naraku's many enslaved insectoid races, and even those who held no loyalty to the Naraku would continue to go on for years to come. The propaganda produced of the Empire had become specifically targeted towards squashing bugs.

Whether it was the helmet cam footage of the Star Marines invading the nests, and torching the bugs and eggs inside with flame throwers. Or the actual artwork displayed across the Empire's interstellar network. One thing was certain. The new enemy of the human race was none other than insectoid life, in any variety in which it came.

Erich himself particularly enjoyed the videos of the soldiers going into the hives of these bugs and annihilating them with overwhelming ferocity and firepower. It invoked a masculine urge within him to take the fight to the front lines himself.

And why shouldn't he? The man was an immortal being, his flesh may be pierced and rendered to a bloody corpse, but his consciousness would forever remain, capable of being restored at a moment's notice.

Long since had Erich undergone Tia's edits to the human genome, which vastly improved upon that which his forbearers has made. His physical flesh was now capable of extraordinary feats, and the armor which his soldiers wore was capable of protecting against substantial damage.

Hell, his body would begin to regenerate faster than most of these insectoids could damage him. It was with this in mind that Erich ultimately decided to put aside the mundane life he had liven as the Emperor of the human race, and instead take to the front lines, acting as a symbol of victory for his people.

Erich bade his wives and lovers farewell, at least temporarily, as he stepped aboard a carrier dubbed the "Jaeger" after his own surname. There was one world where his men were having the most difficulty taking. It was a mega earth-sized planet and was full of nothing but bugs.

Because of this, Erich set a broadcast special to his people as he stood in his black and gold body suit. Which was the undermost layer of protection that his flesh was afforded. Long since had Erich's handsome visage been plastered across the galaxy, but few understood just how tall Erich really was, especially in his newest form.

Standing at approximately seven feet tall, and weighing approximately 300 pounds without his armor, 300 pounds of lean muscle, mind you, Erich was the embodiment of this new generation of warriors that had since spawned after he ascended to the throne of his people.

The broadcast was across the galaxy, as limb by limb his advanced power armor MKIII which attached to his body via a mechanical construct. His armor was a shimmering golden color, one which symbolized his authority as the Emperor of Mankind.

The advanced Power Armor Mk III was the current standard issue equipment to all of humanity's ground forces. It offered more protection and mobility than the Mk II set, which he had worn during the previous timeline as a legendary W-7.

But unlike his legions whose armor was a matte stone grey color, Erich's was a shimmering gold, with a black visor that concealed his entire face. Creating an air-tight seal, one that would allow him to jettison through space with ease. The power armor was not bulky, and instead was fitted precisely to his figure, and was so slim that one might consider it a second layer of skin.

Hell, his cuirass was artistically molded to match his abdominal muscles, almost like those cuirasses worn by the ancient Greeks, and the Generals of Rome who followed suit centuries after. The helmet was much like his previous one, with a large open jet black visor, one which displayed a golden skull via holographic projection, symbolizing Erich's previous status as a W-7.

The moment Erich's armor was fully equipped, the restrains around his limbs were released. He stepped forward and grabbed hold of a shimmering golden energy rifle, one which was capable of burning through even a Naraku Warrior Swarm Tyrant's carapace.

Once Erich had done this, Erich spoke to his people, and the galaxy as a whole, who were surprised to see the reclusive Emperor of Mankind taking a leading role in the conflict that the Germanic Star-Empire was currently waging.

All across the galaxy, eyes were glued to the broadcast, as Erich spoke to every living being in the Milky Way Galaxy that was advanced enough to witness his speech.

"My name is Erich Jaeger, for those of you who do not recognize me, I am the Germanic Star-Emperor, and the supreme authority over all of mankind. The bugs of this galaxy have for too long aided the interests of the Naraku menace, one which has only recently been defeated.

Yet just because their masters have been crushed beneath the heel of our collective boots does not mean that these pathetic insects are deserving of being spared. The battle on Yaraunu Prime has been being waged for the past year. During this time, my forces have suffered heavily as they march ever forward on our great crusade to extinguish all insectoid life from the Galaxy.

I have sat by long enough. Today I take command of my legions and march forth, leading on the front lines as we exterminate these damn bugs, and annihilate their species! For all citizens of the Empire who have yet to volunteer for service, your emperor calls upon you to enlist in this Grand Crusade of ours.

Service shall remain voluntary, but eternal glory is only afforded to those brave enough to step forward and fight for the continued survival of their people! Glory to the Empire and long live Mankind!"

After saying this, Erich stepped into a drop pod, and launched from his carrier down to the world of Yaraunu Prime, the broadcast of his actions would inspire those male citizens of the Empire who had yet to conscript to sign up for service immediately after. Glory was earned on the battlefield and nowhere else. A lesson that was reminded of humanity on this day.