-M29. 583. Ultramar Regnum. Macragge-
Macragge, a breathtaking planet, had been meticulously terraformed by the Imperium to render it habitable. This rocky world, with roughly a third of its terrain dominated by rugged mountains and stone, defied its harsh exterior. Instead, Macragge stood as the bustling nucleus for trade and governance across the Ultramar Regnum sector.
Ultramar Regnum, watched over by a formidable armada comprising approximately two thousand warships united under the banner of the Ultramar Battlefleet. Such a colossal fleet existed to protect the Ultramar Regnum, a sector that sprawled like a colossal tapestry, composed of a thousand diverse planets. With its vast expanses and the presence of dozens of ecumenopoleis, Ultramar Regnum remained a sector perpetually drenched in opulence. This opulent realm was overseen by a single illustrious noble family, renowned for their unwavering might and unyielding discipline — the Seloce Astratum dynasty.
Arcology Hera, an awe-inspiring golden colossus, served as the epicenter of the Seloce Astratum family's rule. This monumental arcology reached high into the troposphere, its sheer magnitude rivaling that of entire nations. Within its shimmering confines, it housed billions of Imperial Citizens, both of flesh and blood, and silicon-born artificial intelligences. Majestic orbital plates gracefully orbited around this architectural marvel, bestowing upon it the semblance of a resplendent crown.
Among the many achievements attributed to the Seloce family during their enduring reign were their prodigious strides in technological advancement throughout the Ultramar Regnum sector and their unparalleled administrative prowess. It was on the Manufactor Planet of the Ultramar Regnum that the enigmatic Ferrous Mind had come into existence, possessing a remarkable ability. Their material vessels achieved a sublime communion with their immaterial counterparts, a phenomenon known as Trans-Synchronization. In this extraordinary process, the realms of matter and spirit intertwined, giving birth to a quasi-deity that seamlessly melded with both planes of existence.
All of these accolades could be traced back to the indomitable Seloce Astratum lineage. Presently, they found themselves in the midst of a grand transition, entrusting the family's legacy to their eldest child. A lavish celebration unfurled within Arcology Hera, where jubilation filled the air. Laughter, merriment, and the radiant smiles of countless hopeful faces illuminated the occasion, heralding the dawning of a new era.
Meanwhile, on one of the highest balconies within the arcology, a transhuman figure gazed outward. His countenance was graced with handsomeness, an epitome of lean elegance. Crowning his head was a mane of lustrous black hair, adding to his allure as the next stride in human evolution.
"Raias," a voice called from behind.
"Ah, brother," said the transhuman named Raias with a smile. "How is the procession going?"
"Everything is going smoothly," replied the elder sibling, opening their arms, offering their younger sibling a hug. "Come here, my brother."
Raias chuckled softly before embracing his sibling tightly. If his older sibling weren't a transhuman as well, that hug would easily have shattered the ribs of a mortal being.
After a few moments of their embrace, Raias decided to end it. He looked at his sibling, who appeared very happy. His cheerful face harmonized well with his noble attire, a contrast to the skin-tight suit and military uniform Raias was wearing.
"How's your life in the military, my dear brother?" The elder sibling asked amiably, patting Raias on the shoulder.
"As usual. You know how Ultramar Auxilia is. Stringent standardization, flexibility in everything, but on the other hand, their doctrine avoids the use of exotic weaponry. It's quite different from our neighbors, the Minotaur Auxilia. They wield their weapons with full force and obliterate anything in their sector." Raias spoke with a hint of exasperation, scratching his neck as if he were embarrassed.
The elder sibling chuckled slightly at their younger sibling's response. Indeed, compared to their neighbors, the Ultramar Auxilia's way of fighting was incomparable. But the elder sibling had known their younger sibling for over a century, and they recognized his way of speaking. Rather than being embarrassed about Ultramar Auxilia, he was subtly mocking the Minotaur for their brutality.
"You really haven't changed, even after being stationed outside Ultramar for fifty years." The elder sibling smiled, understanding their younger sibling's always-iconic behavior.
"It's really been fifty years, huh? I didn't think it would last that long." Raias murmured, looking towards the Macragge sky.
"Although for a Solar Guardian, fifty years should be a short time, for you and our sister, it's been quite a while," the elder sibling said.
"But I never thought our parents would have another child after me. I mean, they're already eight hundred years old." Eight hundred years of age is nearing the maximum limit for someone who has undergone augmentation as a Solar Guardian. So, their mother should have been in menopause if she had reached that stage, but surprisingly, she was able to give birth to the third child of the Seloce Astratum family.
"Gratina Seloce Astratum. She has the same eyes as you, Raias." The older Solar Guardian mentioned with a smile.
"But she's also a psyker like you, Stelan." Raias called his older sibling by name, returning the friendly gesture.
"You're giving me too much credit, Raias. I'm not as great as our other sibling. She's an Alpha-class psyker, which is far from me as a Beta-class," Stelan chuckled softly, trying to steer the conversation away from himself.
"Sorry, sorry. You've always disliked being praised." Before Stelan could continue, the excited cries of a little girl interrupted them.
"Big brother Raias!" shouted a silver-haired girl with a pair of blue eyes, unlike her two older brothers who had black hair. The girl was Gratina, and with just one glance, it was clear that she had inherited all the traits of their father.
Gratina ran toward them with a wide, radiant smile. She immediately embraced her brother tightly, but due to her petite frame, the silver-haired girl couldn't fully envelop her brother's form.
"Look who's here, if it isn't my dearest sister, Gratina," Raias grinned slightly, hugging his younger sibling gently.
"I'm glad I can finally see you," Gratina exclaimed with happiness.
"It's my first time meeting you too," Raias said, running his fingers through Gratina's hair and giving her a warm smile. Raias had never met his younger sister before, but despite this being their first encounter, Gratina didn't hesitate to approach him and hug him.
"I see you are here," a heavy, aged voice approached them. Raias recognized the voice perfectly. How could he forget? That voice had left an indelible mark in his memory.
The owner of the voice revealed himself. He was a silver-haired transhuman with a towering figure, even by transhuman standards. His gaze was so deep it seemed to look directly into Raias's soul. The man was Falstor Seloce Astratum, the former head of the nobility in Ultramar Regnum and the man who had brought the entire strata of Ultramar to what it was now.
"Father," Raias slightly bowed, paying his respects to his father.
"At ease, my son," Falstor replied with a small smile, although it was still not enough to dissolve his stoic expression.
"Father," Stelan spoke softly, also bowing to the ancient man.
Unlike Raias, Falstor smiled broadly at Stelan. This made Raias sigh for a brief moment. He silently clenched his fists, observing his brother's interaction with their father.
Raias made an effort to restrain his emotions from overflowing and defeating his self-control. He immediately pushed aside his feelings, accepting the differences in their father's feelings toward each of them.
"Raias, I didn't expect you to come home," Falstor addressed his youngest son. "Especially when I read your mission report, you should have needed at least another two years to get leave."
Raias scratched his neck slowly, thinking about how to respond. "I was able to get leave earlier because I took an additional mission, that's all."
"Is that so," his father chuckled softly but warmly, an expression Raias couldn't have anticipated coming from his father towards him. "You might not have inherited my sharpness, but you've inherited your mother's tenacity. You've grown up."
Raias honestly couldn't say anything, stunned by the words his father had just spoken.
"What? You think your old man can't be kind to you for once?" The old transhuman said with sarcasm dripping from his words.
Raias's eyebrows twitched. The youngest Seloce son held himself back from groaning in frustration.
"Indeed, you may be an adult now, but you haven't changed," he continued his sentence, causing Raias to finally release a sigh.
"Whatever you say, Father," Raias replied, massaging his temples slowly.
"Let's put an end to this conversation; your mother is waiting in the dining room," the former head of House Seloce Astratum spoke, receiving nods from all his children.
The entire Seloce family walked towards the teleportarium, and with a single step, they briefly traversed the Sea of Souls, emerging in another section of Arcology Hera. This place was located in one of the highest sections of the megastructure, housing the various luxuries and accomplishments of House Seloce in ruling Ultramar. However, this was not their destination, so they continued walking past walls built with towering architecture and intricate details, signifying the family's opulence.
They arrived at a door made of master-crafted adamantium. An intricate emblem depicting a rising eagle adorned it, its feathers rendered with exquisite detail. It was a symbol of both power and freedom, and it symbolized the Seloce Astratum family's reign in Ultramar. This door led to the heart of the family's private chambers.
Beyond that door lay a sprawling chamber, its vastness divided into distinct sections, each exquisitely adorned with opulent and magnificent ornaments. As they ventured further, the true enormity of the room began to unfold. This private sanctum of House Astratum was as expansive as hundreds of hectares of land, a testament to the family's grandeur. After traversing through a labyrinth of chambers, they finally arrived at their destination: the dining hall.
At the head of the lengthy table sat a woman, whose beauty defied the passage of years. Her countenance radiated beneath impeccably tailored noble attire, a masterpiece painstakingly crafted by Ultramar's most skilled artisans, aided by the near-divine precision of Ferrous Mind from Macragge. Cascading blonde tresses framed her face, and her eyes held a gentle hue reminiscent of lapis lazuli.
"Ah, at last, you have graced us with your presence. Your mother grew weary of waiting," said the woman, Galatea Seloce Astratum.
"Mother," her three children chorused in unison, their gestures a show of reverence.
"Let the feast begin," Galatea declared with a warm smile. She turned to Alaius, her command met with swift compliance.
"Of course, milady," responded a deep and masculine voice that resonated in their minds. Without hesitation, humanoid automatons emerged from an adjoining chamber. These mechanical beings bore an uncanny resemblance to humans, a testament to the relentless advancements in robotics and silicon technology within the Imperium. They could simulate human traits, from the illusion of blood to the growth of hair and the development of unique personalities. All were under the direction of a single Ferrous Mind, the conductor of this symphony of service.
Raias dug into the meal set before him. In stark contrast to the nutrient-dense and genetically manipulated protein-based fare prevalent throughout the Imperium, this feast had been meticulously crafted by the most gifted chefs from across the Ultramar Regnum.
"All right, with our meal before us and everyone gathered, let us commence our family dinner," Stelan, now donned in the mantle of the family's head, initiated the communal feast.
With a single bite, Raias could savor both the exquisite flavor and the prestige that the hand-crafted cuisine offered. Not everyone in the Imperium had the privilege of experiencing such authentic, non-synthetic ingredients. His sensory receptors sent immediate signals to his WAR-CASTER, allowing Raias to analyze the intricate composition of the food and beverages down to the finest detail.
Raias couldn't help but smile as he savored the food that had just reached his stomach. Recalling it now, the last time he had enjoyed a meal like this was during his teenage years, right before he made the decision to pursue a military career. Since joining the military, Raias had indeed consumed tasty dishes, but they were all the result of protein synthesis and manufactured by machines.
"It feels like it's been an eternity," Raias murmured, his tone audible only to his fellow transhumans. Everyone in his family was a transhuman, except for his younger sister, Gratina, who, being a psyker, could effortlessly read her brother's thoughts. On the other hand, Alius, the Ferrous Mind and the soul of Arcology Hera, heard the whisper clearly, with the sentiment also shared among all the android automatons present in the room.
"If you'd like an extra portion, sir, I'd be more than happy to prepare it for you," responded a white-haired automaton in a soft tone. Raias recognized her; she was Dolsia, the one who had cared for him during his childhood.
His family chuckled slightly upon hearing this, which made Raias smile wryly. Nevertheless, Raias felt content with the atmosphere that now surrounded him. Indeed, he missed this ambiance more than anything else—the laughter and smiles of his family, the warmth of his servitors, and the happiness of his people. It was a kind of happiness that felt far removed from the battlefield.
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Raias stirred from unconsciousness, his senses jolted back to reality. However, instead of the comforting warmth he had experienced earlier, he was met with a stark, chilling emptiness. Slowly, he came to realize that he was encased in his combat armor. Before he could fully grasp his circumstances, a colossal explosion sent him hurtling through the air. Thanks to the resilient nano-armored exosuit and its protective energy shield, Raias remained unscathed.
Inside his helmet, sirens blared, and a cascade of red holovids inundated his field of view. Raias instinctively knew what to do. He engaged his WAR-CASTER interface and tapped into the integrated Ebony Carapace that melded with his body.
With practiced precision, Raias silently intoned a mantra—a language of machines known as Technologica Linguica, favored by the transhumans of Mars. Utilizing his WAR-CASTER, he harnessed the noosphere to transmit intricate binary commands into his damaged armor. The impossible became possible as the seemingly non-functional suit began to hiss and recalibrate.
In a heartbeat, the armor's systems were repaired, its deteriorating components restored to near-pristine condition, and the energy shield, once depleted, surged with renewed vitality, rapidly recharging to full strength.
The armor healed itself.
With his fully restored armor, Raias rose to his feet. He found himself in a war-torn landscape, where everything lay shrouded in ash. In the distance, he could discern flashes of light emanating from the horizon ahead.
Raias slowly awoke to a stark contrast from the warmth he had felt before. His surroundings were now filled with emptiness and coldness. As he gathered his senses, he realized he was encased in his combat armor. Before he could fully grasp his current situation, a massive explosion rocked him. Thanks to his energy shield and the resilience of his nano armor, Raias remained unharmed. A warning siren blared inside his helmet, and a red holovid flooded his vision.
Raias knew what needed to be done. He activated his WAR-CASTER and the Ebony Carapace integrated into his body. Raias began reciting a silent mantra—a mantra of the transhumans from Mars, the Technologica Linguica, the language of machines. Through his WAR-CASTER, Raias employed the noosphere to transmit binary messages to his armor. The armor, which seemed impossible to restore, started hissing as it recalibrated itself, performing tasks that should have been beyond its capabilities.
In an instant, the damage to his armor was repaired, systems on the verge of failure were rejuvenated, and the energy shield on his armor experienced a surge in recharge speed. With his armor now restored, Raias stood up. He found himself in a war-torn landscape, everything covered in ash, with occasional flashes of light on the horizon.
Raias gradually recalled the planet beneath his feet—Valigas. It was a world hailed as the jewel of Ultramar, a Paradise World meticulously terraformed to perfection. Crystal-blue oceans, serene psychic-emitting trees, and a vibrant array of exotic flora had once defined its beauty. But now, all lay in ruins. Then, a rush of memories flooded his mind.
He remembered his joyous family, their contagious laughter that had eventually given birth to madness. Raias recalled a xenos artifact on one of Ultramar Regnum's planets and the gaze of someone he cherished, which had turned from red to black. With an icy feeling, he reached out to touch the artifact, and a reality-warping light had pulled Raias inside. What had happened afterward was a blur, an abstract enigma. He had seemingly descended into an infinite expanse of space and time before abruptly finding himself on this planet.
The explosion he had felt must have originated from a Deathstrike missile with a high-explosive payload. Curious to unravel the mysteries surrounding him, Raias utilized the noosphere network to sift through information and data in his proximity. With his brain augmented by WAR-CASTER, Raias could perceive knowledge and data in their purest form. Millions of data streams flooded into Raias' mind, processed at speed of light by his WAR-CASTER, aided by the nano armor matrix.
"So, that's how it is," Raias mumbled slowly.
Raias took in the critical details of his current situation. The planet he had landed on was engulfed in a massive battlefield on its far side. Those earlier missiles he had felt were indeed hostile missiles. Speaking of the enemy, were they fighting the Imperium itself? Or, to be more precise, were factions within the Ultramar Auxilia engaged in conflict with each other? The ongoing battle portrayed a civil war unfolding within the Ultramar Regnum.
From the data he acquired, Raias could deduce that several dozen kilometers ahead, there was a clash involving five titan legions, amounting to an estimated two thousand titans in total. Countless war machines roamed the planet's surface, accompanied by millions of fully-armed Solar Guardians.
Meanwhile, in the void of space, he analyzed approximately a thousand warships exchanging colossal volleys. Even with the naked eye, he discerned hundreds of flashes in the dark expanse, indicating the firing of countless Nova Cannons, releasing miniature suns of plasma.
Based on his calculations, this war had only just commenced.