Kaiser followed Hima through the Gaia Complex.
She walked half a step ahead of him, posture straight, silver-white hair tied neatly behind her back.
Her uniform was elegant yet practical, fabric threaded with golden accent matching in black.
Every corridor they passed through was wide and clean, layered with transparent holograms showing logistics flows, fleet movements, and production outputs.
The Complex was enormous—far larger than anything Kaiser remembered building in a single playthrough.
Industrial sectors rotated slowly along the outer rings, while inner habitats housed millions.
Automated cargo lanes moved silently overhead.
Drones, service androids, and uniformed personnel carried out their duties with clockwork precision.
What stood out most was the people.
Engineers, officers, analysts—all of them—paused when Kaiser drew near.
Conversations stopped. Tools were set aside. One by one, they knelt, fists pressed to their chests.
"Glory to the Supreme Ruler," they said in unison.
Kaiser stiffened internally.
Right… I would never get used to this.
Still, he kept his face neutral, nodding slightly as he walked on.
Outwardly calm, inwardly he was still trying to process the fact that this wasn't just a UI or flavor text anymore.
This was a functioning civilization, alive and loyal only to him.
By the time they reached the central spire, Kaiser had a clear realization:
This wasn't just advanced.
This was end-game Stellaris tech, made real.
---
The meeting room was circular, its ceiling dominated by a slow, rotating projection of the Gaia System; the central star, megastructures, orbital rings, shipyards, habitats, and twelve planets which five were habitable—revolving in real time.
Among those include one emerald-blue world of Gaia Alpha beneath them.
Data streams scrolled quietly along the walls, updating in real time.
Kaiser took the central seat.
To his right sat Hima.
Unlike the others, she did not represent a ministry—she governed the state itself. Civil administration, planetary management, population control, law enforcement, and internal logistics all ultimately flowed through her authority.
Planet Gaia Alpha, the empire's cradle world, was also under her direct governance.
Across the table sat the others—faces Kaiser had only ever seen as portraits and tooltips before.
Grand Admiral Iosef Gerard, Head of Defense.
Lord Marr, Minister of Economy.
Director Selene Kade, Head of Science.
Overseer Andreas, Chief of Internal Security.
Lord Da'kan, Minister of Resources.
They rose in unison.
"Glory to the Supreme Ruler," they said.
Kaiser nodded. "Sit. Let's get to it."
Hima gestured, and the system map shifted. Hyperlane routes beyond Gaia flickered—then went dark.
"We are completely cut off," she said calmly. "No outbound or inbound traffic. No FTL signatures. Gaia System remains stable, population from all habitable world projected at three hundred billion."
Director Kade spoke next, already pulling up layered projections. "We've ruled out technological failure. This was not sabotage."
"Our conclusion is that the entire system was displaced—spatially or cosmologically. We are no longer in the same galactic framework."
"In simpler terms," Kaiser said, "we're not where we are supposed to be."
"Yes," Kade replied. "We may not even be in the same galaxy."
The Head of Defense, Iosif Gerard, leaned forward. "Military assets remain intact. Current forces stationed in-system include: one collosus, three Titan-class command vessels, twelve battleship strike groups, ninety-six cruiser formations, and five hundred thirty-one corvette wings. Orbital defenses around Gaia Alpha and the other megastructures are fully operational."
Kaiser mentally whistled.
I really went overboard on naval capacity.
Gerard followed. "No external threats detected. However, isolation means no reinforcements, no allied fleets, and no strategic depth. If we encounter hostile entities, we fight alone."
Lord Marr, the Head of Economic adjusted his data slate. "Economically, we are stable. Matter Decompressors, Dyson infrastructure, and orbital forges are functioning at optimal levels."
"However, growth based on expansion, trade, and migration has ceased. This will require a shift to a fully inward-focused model," he added.
Kaiser nodded. "How long do you think until we can be fully sustained on our own?"
"According to my rough calculations, given our usual productivity, it would take at least two decades, Your Majesty."
Kaiser was visibly shocked. "That long?"
"Yes. It is imperative that we set our productivity to modest consideration."
Kaiser let a heavy sigh. "Very well. You do that, Lord Marr."
"Understood."
Chief of Internal Security, Andreas, spoke next, his voice low. "Public awareness is limited. Most citizens believe this is a classified emergency. No unrest. No ideological deviation detected."
"Kept the stability as it is, Overseer Andreas."
Andreas nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."
At last, the Head of Resources, Da'kan, spoke. "The logistics were heavily burdened. Without external support and supply of resources, it is likely that we would be out of minerals at any given moment."
Kaiser carefully read the data projected.
"What do you plan to mitigate this, Lord Da'kan?" he asked, utterly confused.
"We believe it is necessary to reduce minerals allocation for unnecessary platforms. That is our utmost priority, Your Majesty."
"I understand. Then arrange what you see fit, I will personally approve the results later."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Kaiser couldn't help but felt a sting in his head.
True, his nation was incredibly rich in minerals upon conquering the galaxy.
However most of it were stored elsewhere.
The capital system was never meant to store that much minerals.
Building silos are probably worth better than maxing-out his outposts and starbases in defense.
Hima looked to Kaiser. "The system is secure—for now. The question is direction. What is your order, Your Majesty?"
Kaiser leaned back, his fingers tapping once on the table.
This felt surreal. He had done this dozens of times before—paused the game, stared at the galaxy map, and weighed options.
The only difference now was that every number represented real people.
"Alright," he said. "The first priority is consolidation."
The displays shifted as he spoke.
"Fleet doctrine switches to layered defense. Titans anchor the system, battleships form rapid-response groups. No patrols beyond the outer perimeter until we know what we're dealing with."
The Admiral nodded immediately, issuing silent commands.
"Second," Kaiser continued, "kept the economy modest. Cut what is unnecessary and stockpile strategic resources. Prepare for long-term isolation."
Lord Marr's eyes lit up. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Third," Kaiser said, looking at Director Kade, "science pivots inward. No exploration tech. Focus on optimization, intelligence gathering, and anomaly detection."
He couldn't expose the Immaterium just yet.
It would be strange for him knowing it and does not exist for his people.
Kade smiled faintly. "Understood, Your Majesty."
He turned to Hima.
"All planets within the Gaia System must remain centralized. I do not need the people causing havoc."
Hima inclined her head. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Kaiser straightened, posture firm, his expression unreadable.
"We don't rush. We don't expose ourselves. We observe, we adapt, and when we understand where we are—"
He paused.
"—we decide how we deal with this galaxy we are currently in."
Inside, Kaiser exhaled quietly.
That is so embarrassing.