It is morning now. I slept easy and soundly enough. No odd or vague dreams, and I've already completed the small tests I made on the material that was recently delivered.
It will work.
It all just fits together… well, almost perfectly.
Too perfect…
It wouldn't be abnormal for, at this time, some sort of trial or tribulation to befall me. I expected some resistance from the Angels but… nothing. It's odd. The world is silent.
Not even the fucking HUMANS are making any noise.
It irritates me.
This feeling deep inside that something is going to go wrong just hurts. It's like my body is refusing to go through with the procedure I've set into motion, but I cannot stop now. Scarab and I gathered a small set of Combat and Information Automata, binding them in pairs for precaution, as they were loaded into the large machine I had them construct under my blueprints.
They were going to be… well, test pilots. Their memories are backed up, meaning they are quasi-immortal. No matter what happens to their physical body, they'll be rebuilt in a manner of hours back here at the Vault.
They were suited up in massive shells of titanium and adamantine alloy, a combination of the most durable mortal metal and magical metal. Normally we'd use something like Void Metal or Ebonite, but I'm worried about the properties of the Primordial Realm. I kept it safe to be sure.
The outer rim of the shells were coated with thin blue lines of that Chronurgy charged material, such an interesting thing too. I've dubbed the formation 'ACMA', otherwise known as Advanced Chronurgy Magic Array.
I stand above the researchers and pilots, watching from a balcony that oversees the room that we placed within the outer rim of the space station. The Automata happily scurried by one another like ants in a colony, and I was pleased.
"Scarab." I said, my arms crossed behind my back. "We are missing a suit."
That was true, I keep my outer appearance more intimidating and hostile for those I'm not acquainted with for what I assumed to be obvious reasons. Of course, it was natural of a man to change his personality to be more hospitable to people he wishes to entertain.
"What is your question, then?" I coldly asked.
"I've noticed that, after Samuel arrived, you tensed up and became… well, not hostile to those around you… but more… like a Ruler. What did he say to you?"
"He didn't say much that I understood." My gaze turned into a scowl. "But it was enough to bring this side of me back."
"I see."
She turned again, facing outwards once more. Her appearance was much more regal than normal, and she was busily adopting a stance just as mine.
My hand reached out and held her shoulder closest to me, and I shook her a small bit. She turned to me and smiled. "I prefer this side of you, I think."
I didn't respond, but a grin crept out of my face. Normally, people don't like being treated rough or with a cold command. Automata though, like many monsters, are to be treated by me in this way. It's a commandment style I like to call "The Iron Gauntlet, and Velvet Glove.". It's popular amongst rulers and kings, as it really draws off the living creature's tendency and thought patterns.
You have to be rough, and you have to be kind. Balancing the both is how you can be an effective leader, if you are too rough your people will hate you and if you are too kind they will see you as weak. In the land of monsters, that is a death sentence.
I'm being presumptuous, but it's not like that matters. It was teaching I received from an old friend of mine, and I trust it.
"Selected Automata, please report to your stations for installation into your vehicles." A loud, automated void broadcasted over the speakers.
"Are you certain, Father-?" She replied, mimicking my serious expression. "All six are accounted for… one for each pair of Automata. I assure you, everything is according to plan."
"Prepare another vessel." I simply asked, turning to her with a smirk.
She retaliated with a look of both disgust and disappointment. "You can't be serious… you intend to go as well?"
"I'm barely of use here until our situation improves, which I'm certain you can handle. Besides, what sort of king doesn't even greet his people-?"
"One, that I imagine, takes a break for once in his life." She turned back to the workers. "I predicted this though, two extra are being manufactured."
"Excellent."
"Father, I always wondered something about you. Something that never made sense to me… do you mind if, before you go, I ask you a question?" Scarab's cold gaze once again shifted towards me.
I kept my gaze forward. "It shouldn't hurt. Ask away."
"I've noticed you tend to act more calm and friendly to your family and friends, especially when you are alone. You are almost a different person when you address a crowd or people not within your inner circle."
Scarab sighed. "It seems they are ready."
"Yes, it does." I gripped the railing in front of me tightly.
"You are nervous."
"My children are about to venture into the unknown, of course I'm nervous." I grit my teeth.
Scarab sighed. "They will be fine, we have back ups of them ready in case of their deaths and it's not like they haven't experienced death before."
"I know."
"I find it very amazing how you treat all of us Automata. We are expendable tools to anyone else but you, and I find that fascinating."
I turned towards her once more, smiling as I forced my worries down, and "Jeez, looks like that's going to change soon. Ready to meet some friends?"
"Certainly. Now, give them a speech. They haven't heard from you in forever, they miss you."
I patted her once more on the shoulder and cleared my throat. I quickly thought of a speech and readied myself.
"Automata-!" I yelled out.
Their attention turned towards me, they dropped what they were doing and gathered into a formation and saluted. In unison, they shouted out confirmation they were listening. "Your Majesty!"
"I'm certain you all know what this mission is about. I need not tell you your jobs or what is on the line here, nor shall I remind you of the stakes we have as a whole in this war. What I will tell you, is that before us now is a path that I am carving for us. A path to freedom, joy, and peace. As we tread this path, there will be many… many dangers."
The Automata shuffled as I began my speech, some were worried while others were more nervous to begin their operation.
"We've had many enemies. The Angels, The Demons… and, at times, even ourselves. Today, our greatest enemy is the unknown."
I began raising my voice as I gripped my hand into a fist. "To carve this path, we will eliminate ALL of our enemies. Nothing will stop us if we work hard and work together. I'm sure you've heard it a million times over, but it's time to believe in ourselves and in one another-! No matter what lies beyond our gates, the walls will hold firm-! To our brave Automata within your ships, I will be joining you on this adventure as a personal reassurance to our victory."
The Automata went wild for a bit, lightly cheering as they heard my words and that I would be joining them with this mission. I let them cheer for a moment before quieting them down with a gesture.
"Now, while I am away, I entrust Scarab with operating the base as usual. For our loyal workers who will stay behind, I thank you profusely for making sure that we have a home to return to after this. The soul of our nation lies within you, the mechanical spine of Empyrea-!"
The rumors of Empyrea had clearly spread from Automata to Automata, as their eyes shot open in surprise and wonder. "Empyrea-! Empyrea-!" They shouted in unison.
"Yes, yes-! Glory, Glory to Empyrea-! May our nation live forever, and our soldiers march on with dauntless stature-! Good luck out there, everyone, and I will shortly return-!"
"Glory to Empyrea-!!" They shouted one last final time before rushing to secure the remaining preparation. I took myself a coffee and a few rations before hooking myself up to my own secured machine. I was lined up with the others, placed between them and able to see each of their prideful faces. The Automata outside watched eagerly as they awaited send off.
"Positions confirmed." The outside, autonomous voice thunderously roared. "Sending off at 5…"
I took a deep breath and smiled, so much potential-! So much to be gained… ah, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly… I suppose that's why I'm worried.
"4…"
If worse comes to worse, I'll find a way back, I always do.
"3…"
"2…"
Something bad is going to happen, fuck, I just know it. Gah, too late to abort it already though-... Fuck, alright. What twist of fate is going to fuck me over today-?
"1…"