Chapter 10: Haji's Dark History
The uprising — or rather, the revolution — spread like a consuming fire.
Decades of repression ignited at once, fury rising from the lowest hive levels and threatening to engulf the entire federation.
Yet the Indonesian Federation was no fragile regime. It had endured for generations through brutality and control. As the revolutionaries surged toward the Archbishop's palace, Tang deployed his ultimate deterrent:
the Iron Men.
As the ancient machines that had helped plunge humanity into the Age of Strife, their power was legendary. Many warlords possessed relic units, but few dared deploy them unless absolutely necessary. Their loyalty was uncertain.
But if they were not activated now, the regime would fall.
Silvery automata marched onto the battlefield.
The tide turned instantly.
They did not tire. They did not feel fear. Revolutionary gunfire sparked harmlessly from their armored frames while their concentrated return fire shattered advancing formations.
The revolutionaries were forced into a desperate retreat.
"A pack of useless vermin," Tang sneered from the panoramic window above the hive. "In the end, my Iron Men will restore order."
He watched the machines advance — and then paused.
A formation of aircraft cut across the horizon.
Whose force was that?
The craft roared overhead and released a rain of drop-pods.
Impact.
Hatches blew open.
Thunder Warriors emerged in full war gear.
At the forefront, Yuki kicked free of her pod. With a powerful beat of her wings — aided by controlled psychic lift — she surged over the retreating revolutionaries and plunged directly toward the Iron Men.
The Thunder Warriors roared and charged after her.
Many among the revolutionary ranks stared in stunned confusion.
Others felt recognition spark in their eyes.
"They're the Imperial army!"
"The Emperor has come!"
"They came to save us!"
Yuki cleaved through an advancing automaton, its torso splitting under her blade. She turned to face the masses and raised her sword.
"I am Yuki, Imperial Princess and daughter of the Emperor.
In my father's name — future sovereign of Terra and protector of humanity — I bring you liberation.
The rule of your Archbishop ends today.
What follows is an era of reason, justice, and hope."
A roar surged through the crowd.
Like a breaking tide, the people advanced toward the palace that had ruled them through terror.
They had waited for this day.
The Iron Men closed around Yuki.
They were formidable adversaries. Their targeting systems tracked her movements with machine precision. They possessed no vital organs, no pain receptors, no instinct for self-preservation. Even fragmented components continued attempting to impede her advance.
Yuki drew her second sword.
"Fourth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Legions — hold the line!"
"The rest — with me! We decapitate their command!"
Her blades wove a storm of light and steel, reducing machines to shattered fragments. At intervals, arcs of psychic lightning leapt from her hands, overloading circuits and dropping entire units in bursts of molten metal.
Archbishop's Spire
"How did they reach us? Why was there no warning?"
Tang overturned the table before him.
"Who are they? WHO ARE THEY?"
"A power rising in the Himalazian territories," the servant answered, trembling.
"Contact their ruler immediately!"
"No need," said a calm voice behind him. "My father is occupied. He has no time for you."
Silence fell.
Tang turned.
The towering figure standing within his chamber halted his heart for a moment.
"Would you excuse us?" Yuki asked the servant gently.
The man fled.
She sighed.
"Honestly, they make me sound like a demon."
Tang steadied his breathing.
"Witchcraft?"
Warp translation.
Yes — that qualified.
"Your shielding field is insufficient," Yuki replied calmly.
Tang lifted his chin, struggling to maintain dignity.
"What would it take for you to spare me?"
"Nothing," she said softly.
If he had ruled with mercy, negotiation might have been possible.
But nothing calmed the people like the fall of a tyrant.
Tang exhaled.
"Then why hesitate? Kill me."
"I require the location of your technological archives," Yuki said. "In return, I grant you a dignified death."
He laughed weakly.
"Dignified?"
"Yes. A swift end… or the crowd outside."
Tang's shoulders collapsed.
"Third basement level. Access key: my left iris."
"Thank you."
The blade rose.
Fell.
His reign ended.
From the moment the Thunder Warriors struck the battlefield to the final silence within the palace, six hours had passed.
The Indonesian Federation was incorporated into the Imperium.
Himalazian Palace
"Excellent. Excellent!"
Malcador watched as the Emperor paced with uncharacteristic energy.
"Yuki has exceeded my expectations. I had prepared contingencies, yet she achieved victory with minimal loss. A direct assault would have succeeded — but at far greater cost."
He continued, voice warming:
"She inspires loyalty among soldiers and civilians alike. I have received no reports of resentment. None."
Malcador knew this tone well.
To outsiders, the Emperor was austere and implacable.
When pleased, he became… talkative.
"My lord," Malcador asked gently, "have you decided her reward?"
"The armor she wears was assembled hastily," the Emperor replied. "I will commission a refined suit of power armor… and two master-crafted power swords."
"If only you spoke to her with the same warmth," Malcador murmured.
Each time he faced Yuki, the Emperor adopted a stern demeanor. Only she seemed to perceive the man beneath the legend.
Valdor entered.
"Zero approaches."
The Emperor returned to his seat. Documents stacked before him. Malcador resumed reviewing reports. Valdor stood watch.
The door opened.
"Good morning, Father. Uncle Malcador. Uncle Valdor."
Yuki entered with a radiant smile.
Malcador and Valdor returned it.
The Emperor remained stern.
(Malcador: Hopeless.)
"I have contacted Albia," Yuki said. "They pledge loyalty but request an audience with you personally."
The Emperor nodded.
"You have performed well. Is there a reward you desire?"
He had already decided — but asked nonetheless.
A faint sense of foreboding stirred.
"Really?" Yuki brightened. "Then please answer one question I've wanted to ask for a long time."
He immediately felt he should refuse.
Too late.
"Ask."
"…Is the story about the Roman she-wolf true?"
Silence.
Valdor blinked.
Malcador froze.
The Emperor's hawk-like gaze locked onto Yuki.
She stared back defiantly.
Then the Emperor laughed — a sound edged with exasperation.
He vanished.
Reappearing behind her, he lifted her effortlessly and disappeared again.
Valdor stared.
"What just happened?"
Malcador sipped his tea.
"What a mess."
Moments later they returned.
Yuki clutched her backside, hiding behind Malcador while pointing accusingly at the Emperor.
"Uncle Ma! Can you control my dad? Who spanks someone's bottom?!"
"I used telekinetic force," the Emperor said evenly.
"Even so," Malcador replied soothingly, "one does not spank a child."
"I am not a child!"
…
After Yuki departed, calm returned.
Valdor spoke after a long pause.
"What did she mean by that question?"
Malcador looked equally perplexed.
Both men knew ancient Terran history.
Neither understood the relevance.
The Emperor said nothing.
Inside his mind:
Lupercal myths. Romulus. Remus.
…Lantern Festival indeed.
He exhaled slowly.
Some battles could not be won.