January 6, 3123
A large holo-display featured a beautiful woman in light modest clothing, her ghostly white skin in contrast with her dark green dress with frills, her white hair tied neatly into a bun showed her thin neck, a lovely gold locket rested on her ample bossom, she had a beaming smile; ready to face the audience.
Behind her was a light green wall, serving as her background for her report.
"Good Morning everyone! It is another beautiful day in the Empire" Her voice echoed throughout the streets of the city, men, women and children walked about, shiny cars hovered the asphalt roads.
The reporter continued "And friends, with the Founding Anniversary tomorrow, all of us hope for your participation." Everyone was busy, going to work, chatting with a friend, shopping or simply wandering, everyone was on the move.
A peaceful day this was, thought a man in the crowd of pedestrians, his smile not leaving his face as he waited.
Then he heard a buzz, bringing his wrist to his mouth after reading a line of text on the electronic display on the wristband, he spoke to it.
"Morning Eugiene" He greeted while tapping on another device, this time it was just behind his ear.
A raspy, husky voice came through the other end of the call.
"Good Morning IM, you down to come down to nerd land rq? Need your help with sumn'" The man Eugiene referred to chuckled a bit.
"Manners don't get stuck in that head of yours huh? Why is bro is so rude to the Emperor?" He snapped back sarcastically.
"Dude, it's just me, I ain't wasting my time with that crap, anyways you down to hang or nah?" He sighs then nods "Yeah, I'm coming, Migs coming too or no?"
"Haven't asked yet, anyways call me when you get here, still busy with work" The call ended with a beep.
Imperial Bureau of Science and Technology, Site IC-1
A large and long hover car floated along the large roundabout, stopping shortly at the entrance where multiple guards were stationed, automated defenses and drones kept vigilant watch, constantly scanning the perimeter of the facility.
An escort opened the door of the car, letting the Emperor out after all of his guards vacated from it.
Armed with highly advanced rifles and wearing the latest combat suits under their classy white suits made sure that the regent was well protected from evildoers.
But just as the escorts shadowed the Emperor, he held his hand for the security detail to halt, immediately understanding the unpredictable nature of the Imperial Family is what made these men part of the exclusive security detail, so with a nod, they let him walk, seeing him off with a "Have a safe hangout your Imperial Majesty"
But just as he was about to step foot in the Facility, alarms blared everywhere, the guards quickly took the Emperor inside, it wasn't long before everyone was inside.
"Gopher Protocol Engaged" The AI declared, sealing off the entire facility with large heavy steel blockades.
"Phase One Complete" It declared.
"Phase Two Commencing" A large rocking motion made the Emperor fall to his knees, he and everyone felt like they were going under, like an elevator.
It would take minutes before the AI spoke again "Phase Two Complete, Phase Three Commencing" The blockades went down, letting everyone free from the large facility and into the vast underground.
"Phase Three Complete, Thank you for your cooperation" Taking the moment in, everyone adjusted to their situation.
"What's happening?" The Emperor asked.
But only confusion was the answer he was given.
"Hoffhell, you alright?" The voice of his friend echoed, he looks back to see the staff, among them was his friend who rushed to the group from the escalators.
"Y-Yeah, I'm good, what's happening anyways?" Eugiene couldn't give a straight answer "Some sort of freak weather event, NAGASA didn't say but storms and earthquakes are happening all over the Empire man" A look of worry settled on the Emperor, Hoffhell's, face.
"Hey, atleast the Gopher Protocol came in clutch right? I bet that eighty percent of the capital is already in the undercity with us" He reassured his friend.
"Y-Yeah, thank goodness for Vi and the Gopher Protocol huh?" One of the guards of the facility said.
Hoffhell looks at one of his bodyguards "Get me to the Palace"
The National Highway
The car they drove sped through the streets of the undercity, instead of hovercars the group used conventional wheeled cars for safer travelling, this was to ensure minimal accidents like colliding with support beams or the cave itself when going through the National Highway.
Hoffhell held his hands closed, twiddling with his fingers, he was anxious at what has happened.
His eyes were glued to the onboard TV, projecting the many cities, towns and villages who were struck by the freak storms.
"Investigations are still going out, please stay tune as we cover more of the event" The reporter said.
The reporter took a breath and resumed "We have confirmed that atleast five have been killed.." She kept a professional face, but her hands were trembling.
"We have just confirmed that the entirety of the Great Neunseen Empire is under the Gopher Protocol, the death toll is....five" Sadness loomed in the car as the reporter read out the names of the victims, this wasn't supposed to happen after all.
The Darrumburgh Palace
The Darrumburgh Palace is the brain of the Empire, while the Capital was the Heart, the palace first started construction at the end of the Second Revanence War and was finally completed at the end of the War against the Ghrollic Imperium, both wars were won by the Empire, albeit the price was heavy, the spoils were, however many, its architectural design is similar to the Louvre Palace of former France, though the Darrumburgh Palace was twice the size of it, it houses many government buildings in its annex, symbolizing the tightly knit relationship the Imperial Family has to the various departments and ministries that ran this country, the large front garden makes it a great place for visitors to wander in, many have eloped in it so it has garnered the infamous title, The Garden Of Love.
The car pulled over, letting the chauffer open the door for Hoffhell, everyone raised their arms to salute.
"Welcome back home, Your Imperial Majesty, the Ministers are waiting for you in the throne room" He thanked the butler and hurried into the Palace.
The walk to the room felt unnerving, he had a cold sweat, noticing this reaction was Eugiene, walking beside him with a tablet.
"Disaster Relief should have been sent out immediately, why the hell were there still so many deaths?" He cursed out, Eugiene wanted to protest, but it was no use, it was better to let him vent first.
So he kept walking until he saw the large doors, the flag of the Empire was hung at each end of the doorway, guards posted saluted Hoffhell.
"I'll meet you later Eugiene" The doors opened with a sway of Hoffhell's hand, multiple people who wore distinct suits watched Hoffhell appear before them.
He trudged on, brushing past the many ministers, when the crown was presented on a silk-like pillow, he held onto it tightly, carefully he placed it atop his head.
"Minister Arihold, status of the citizens?" He asked with a booming voice, a voice amplifier was fitted inside of the crown to enable the Emperor to deliver his speeches and meetings, it is adjustable and doesn't weigh much on the head of course.
"C-Citizen morale is low because of the report, we expect this to plummet more unless we distract them with something positive" Hoffhell nodded and pointed to another man.
"Report" He ordered.
"As said by the Minister of Citizen Morale and Enlightenment, Morale is low, but the same can be said for the Defense Force, we haven't had a non-natural human death in over a hundred years since the invasion of the Ghrollic Imperium, we are also supporting the Ministry of Public Emergencies heavily, along with the Ministry of Science and Technology with their MECHs" He explained.
"Status of the Weltenbastion" Hoffhell looks at a large man, his ghostly white skin and equally white hair complimented the black suit he was wearing, so when he stood at attention, it looked similar to a well dressed Santa Claus who was about to give a lecture.
"The Weltenbastion guard has given no abnormal reports minutes during the disaster, defenses are operational with engineers inspecting everything again." A satisfying response begets a satisfied Emperor.
"What about the weather? That freakstorm or whatever it was, has it passed already?" The one to answer that was the Executive Director of NAGASA or the Neunseen Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
"We have recieved reports from our stations that it has passed yes, but the damage to our land was unprecedented, we don't know how that storm has gone under our radar like that, but for now we should resume national operations" A woman raised her hand to cut in.
"And adding onto what Director Havbard said, our national food reserves would last about three years before we reach critical levels, my Ministry and the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure have already started construction of a mega farm and promoted hyperbreeding for meat production though these efforts could only be harvested two years later"
"A worrying situation, thank you for the report Minister Eris, Minister Havbard and Minister Laagden"
Next to speak was a slender-ish man with glasses.
"Energy production, thanks to the freakstorm, has been cut in a little over half, thankfully we won't have to worry about a meltdown thanks to the reinforced materials we built our Nuclear Plants from, but the rest weren't as lucky, especially our Solar farms, but we expect a shipment from our Mining stations to lessen the burden and reactivate some of our fossil fuel and coal plants."
"Let's first introduce energy curfews, disable civilian and government bot charging in unnecessary sectors and introduce scheduled shut-offs and turn-ons for our defense systems, please make a comprehensive list of large energy consumption categories and an initial schedule for the planned energy curfew, I want that submitted to me the day after tomorrow, you got that Rovols?" The slender-ish man nods as he transcribes.
"Anymore reports?" Hoffhell asked, but none answered, feeling satisfied for now, he claps his hands and proclaimed.
"Then.. Meeting adjourned"
January 7, 3123
Everything was raised back up when morning broke, block by block the capital was regained, but not one person was in the streets, no cars were moving about, only machines, servants of the empire, only they were seen moving about, completing their tasks.
The large display from yesterday showed a live-feed of the Darrumburgh Palace, thousands of people were seen in the open field, everyone clad in black, the founding day was grim, drones flew just over the mourners, handing cold refreshments to everyone on such a day.
The reporter was on the scene, matching the gloomy attire.
"A sad day for all, what was supposed to be a day to remember the ideals of the nation, have turned into a day to mourn the losses this great nation had endured, we hope that all who couldn't attend to spare a moment to pray with us...." She hung her head low as she signed, clasping her hands together and holding it tightly.
The view switches, from the moment the most important figure in all of the Empire went into view, everyone could feel the grace of this man.
"His Imperial Majesty has just appeared at the balcony" She reports to her viewers and listeners.
"Good day, citizens, today is a great loss of life, because it wasn't from war, disease or starvation, but it was a freak accident that has somehow bested our brightest...." He paused for a moment, letting everyone take in his words.
Then
BAM
He smacks his table "IT WAS OUR ENEMIES! FILTHY HEATHENS! PIGS WHO HAVE FAILED TO EVOLVE! THEY WERE THE ONES WHO MANIPULATED IT! FEEDING CHEMICALS TO THE CLOUDS AND CREATING SEISMIC MACHINES!" Everyone felt the fire of passion in his words, it was simply the act of the failures of evolution, pigs who walked on two legs, bipedal nonhumans.
"THIS WAS AN ATTACK ON NEUNSEEN!" Hoffhell raised his hand, angry shouts emerged.
"THIS WAS AN ATTACK THAT COSTED FIVE HUMAN LIVES!" He proclaims, the anger grew.
"WE WILL CRUSH THEM WHEN THEY SHOW THEIR FACES! WE WILL MAKE THEM REPENT! IN THE NAME OF THE VICTIMS OF THESE FILTH, I PROMISE TO EXTERMINATE THE PIGS OF HUMANITY!" Cheers erupt, raising their hands to salute, they sang "Oh Neunseen, please see me! See me fix thy wound! Let me heal, nurture and surture it, our home, Neunseen!" A excerpt from the national anthem.
"HELP US FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT! HELP US BE RID OF THESE ANIMALS WHO CLAIM THEY ARE ONE OF US! OH GLORIOUS PEOPLE OF THE NEUNSEEN EMPIRE, LET ME BE YOUR VOICE AS YOU CRUSH THEIR HEADS WITH THE HAMMER OF JUSTICE!"
Thunderous applause echo, people cried as they chanted the ideals of the Empire.
"To fix the wrongs inflicted upon humans! We implore the good lord to help us accomplish thy task at hand, let us fix the wrongs inflicted upon us humans!" The news reporter prayed on live television.
"Let's start the Founding Day!" Hoffhell declares.
A few hours later
The nation, which was previously in such a grim mood was full of life again, the clean tiled streets were bustling with people, shops were lit with pictures of various heroes and the flag of the Empire.
Most shops had pictures of the Imperial Family plastered everywhere along the heroes.
"Hey Papa! Papa! Look!" The father of the child turned to check on his ten-year old.
"What's wrong?" He asked with a fatherly smile "It's the Emperor!" The boy points and funnily enough it really was the Emperor, walking about with a large bag.
"Well wouldn't you know? It really is him!" He acts.
The boy pulled his dad to the Emperor who was busy handing out envelopes.
"Good Afternoon, Your Imperial Majesty!" The dad greeted with a smile, but that distraction was more than enough for the boy to run up to grab the leg of the middle-aged emperor.
"W-what do you think you're doing boy!" He was about to grab him but Hoffhell raised his hand to stop him.
He chuckles before kneeling down to meet the boy "Well you're the fifth one that's grabbed me, so how about a trade?" He spoke softly, letting the boy know that he wasn't angry at all.
"Ice cream for my leg, what does my captor say?" He playfully says, the boy looked up and said "Deal!" Hoffhell chuckles some more before calling over an ice cream car to him.
"What is my captor's favourite flavor?"
Imperial Bureau of Surveillance and Counter-Espionage, Control Room
Androids worked as the humans celebrated, most of the facility was automated so there was little need for human supervision, but just to be safe, there was always someone on call to fix bugs and other sort of things.
Computers and screens played feedback from various small or micro spy drones, in the images of birds, insects and even small land animals, they saw everything.
"Hey Daryl, you good to switch?" Another person entered the room, hot choco on his hand.
"Yeah sure, let me send the report to the head real quick" Daryl, the only human in the room replied.
"Gotchu...." The other man who was inside suddenly noticed something off about the footage.
"Hey dude, you sure these guys are calibrated to the same routes?" He asked Daryl.
"Yeah wh-" He stopped, his whole body froze as he watched Drone Cam #3281.
"What the fuck?"
One hour later
Almost all of the personnel who were celebrating Founding Day was recalled after witnessing this.
"Tell the Minister of Defense and NAGASA, this isn't possible" The Director of the Bureau couldn't believe his eyes.
Darrumburgh Palace
A few hours later
"Another situation has appeared, Your Imperial Majesty" The Director knelt down as he explained.
"While my subordinates were busy overlooking the footage, we have come across a..." The director paused "Out with it"
"Excuse me, we have been, taken to sea...?" He paused, letting everyone in the room to process.
"Let me see the footage" The director nods, touching his wrist a couple of times to type something, swiping the air with two fingers towards the elevated throne where the Emperor sat.
"This is footage of Drone Cam number three-two-one-eight, with certainty, this footage is as raw is it can be" he explained, but Hoffhell looked more and more concerned as the footage played inside his mind.
"W-We've collaborated with the Ministry of Defense and NAGASA to make sure that this was the case for the entire country, and it seems that yes... we've been turned into a micro-continent, the ocean is about one-hundred and fifty kilometers from the Weltenbastion" He reports.
"How big is the landmass we are currently on?" Hoffhell asks.
"Seven-million-six-hundred-eighty-eight-thousand-two-hundred-eighty-seven square kilometers, in comparison to the Old World, this is the size of Australia, a country in the Oceania region" He answered perfectly, this new information made Hoffhell excited.
"And with our former size of about one-thousand-one-hundred-twenty-eight square kilometers, that is one hell of an upgrade" Hoffhell grew more excited.
"We might finally meet some humans too, unlike those pigs back on Earth" He blurts out, which made the director chuckle.
"Well I'll issue a meeting tomorrow, for now enjoy Founding Day" Hoffhell raises a wine glass to the Director and downed it.
The director disappears, leaving only a skeleton of an android fitted with multiple photon lasers and a transparent shield that acts like the skin to project an image.
"I guess that solves overpopulation, just hope we are alone in this place first."
Hoffhell looks out the window from his throne, there he saw the gigantic wall that protected them from multiple invasions, the wall that has forever been there, to protect the last humans of Earth against the pigs of humanity.