First Light of a New Age

Chapter 19: Shocking Discovery

Austronesian Empire, Imperial Maharlika, Manila, A Bunker In Malacanang Palace

2000, 1, 1st Week, January

Maximo, the people's emperor, was having a meeting between the general staff and major political figures such as the president, when suddenly another television screen flickered to life, and below it the name was marked with "Austronesian Intelligence" which was the Austronesian Constabulary. In fact, Maximo was expecting this moment, so he halted the meeting for the meantime.

Maximo was expecting this development as the storm had begun to subside, and to his surprise, the flood was also receding at a rapid rate. It is now at the point where they no longer require amphibious vehicles now, but just to be safe, amphibious tanks were still being used to maneuver around the flooded nation.

Not only that, these demons and mythical creatures were now being mopped out as the general staff were able to make and take countermeasures against these peculiar and extraordinary creatures. Liberated lands were being restored, and the dead carcasses of the monsters were now being sent into various labs for research. However, the pain was still at the heart of Maximo. After all, if the estimations for casualties were correct, he feared that they may possibly have lost more than two million people.

Each time the flood recedes and lands are retaken and liberated from the monsters that occupied it, grim scenes of devastation emerge, with piles of human corpses mounting ever higher and higher. There were also reports of entire military bases and shelters being completely overrun by demons and mythical creatures, one of them even reported of a sighting of a fiery horse that burns everything into ashes that makes contact, creating wildfires, and has destroyed an entire military outpost alone before being killed by three Thunderwings. 

But still, one would not be able to imagine the fate that those citizens and soldiers suffered.

Rays of light were also starting to pierce through the heavens above Austronesia in the middle of darkness, which they will see the light of the sun again soon after. After enduring a grueling night, all they need now is just to rest and to comfort their loved ones.

The smell of death fills the country of the People's Empire, and the loss of their loved ones crushes the heart of many people. Sooner than later, the people will demand an explanation to soothe their worries and uneasiness.

Radio communications were also becoming clearer and clearer with each passing minute. It all but seemed like the tragedy was about to end.

However, unbeknownst to all, this was just the beginning.

Panning back to Maximo the People's Emperor.

One thing's for sure, and that is whatever the Intelligence Division may say, it would only mean that it is the only explanation they could give to their citizens.

"Your Majesty! The satellites are now back online, and we believe that you'll need to see this as soon as possible. The satellites were able to capture images below us and are transmitting them to your computer and those of everyone present at this meeting," the Intelligence officer announced.

After checking the files that were sent, Maximo immediately reviewed the files with growing bewilderment, unable to make sense of the situation.

"A-Are you certain the satellites are functioning correctly?" Maximo asked, his voice tinged with doubt.

"That's a negative, your Majesty. We double-checked and captured the images a couple of times, and the satellites are operating perfectly fine," the officer confirmed.

Maximo turned his gaze back to the other screens and noticed all of the general staff and politicians' faces reflecting his own confusion.

"Just to be safe and verify once more. Could you check the data again?" Maximo requested.

"It will be done immediately, Your Majesty," the intelligence officer responded.

After instructing the officer, Maximo looked back at the other people present at the conference.

"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?" Maximo asked.

"I believe these pictures are preposterous, your Majesty." one politician stated.

"I'm afraid, but satellites don't lie, my friend." a staff general countered.

"How can you believe that?" another politician questioned.

"That we're somehow no longer on Earth?" another politician asked, incredulous.

"Yes! The damn North Americans must be behind this! They may have hacked into our satellites and provided us with false images." one politician insisted.

"Then how are you going to explain those mythical creatures that we're seeing? Furthermore, the storm and everything that just recently happened!" one staff general retorted, challenging the other man's theory.

After being shot down by the general's rebuke, the politician fell quiet. A few moments later, Maximo addressed the group.

"Then how are we going to inform the masses?" one politician asked.

Maximo paused for a moment, then replied, "I am afraid, but we must deliberate further and deeply on this matter before reaching a decision."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the conference attendees agreed unanimously.

Suddenly, the television screen from the Intelligence Division flickered to life again.

"Your Majesty! I am afraid to say this, but the systems are functioning correctly with no signs of tampering. I am afraid, but what we are seeing is the complete truth." The Intelligence officer said in a grave tone.

"On another note, our radar and satellite imagery have detected a fleet of what seemed like ironclads outside our Exclusive Economic Zone," the intelligence officer added.

"Ironclads? Those ships have been obsolete for more than a hundred years," a staff general remarked, incredulous.

Maximo nodded gravely. "Indeed. However, from the evidence and facts that we have gathered, it is safe to say that we are no longer in our world, so the rules of our world no longer apply to us here."

The emperor's statement left the people in the conference stunned, but they could not disagree with his assessment, because it was the complete truth as it aligned with the reality they faced.

"Let us keep in mind that the inhabitants of this world may or may not be violent, and we have just come across a great tragedy never before seen in the scale of our nation, which left our nations in a disastrous state. We must be prepared, and therefore we shall adopt a gunboat diplomacy approach when dealing with outsiders" the emperor's authority words were loud and clear as he stated his statement.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" came the chorus of agreement from the assembled officials. Though, they knew that whatever this unfamiliar world lays for them, they must be prepared.

"U-Um, Your Majesty, here are the pictures of the ironclad," the intelligence officer said, presenting the photos.

The intelligence officer hesitated as he didn't want to ruin the moment. However, he needs to say it now as this is of utmost importance.

"Huh, for an ironclad ship, they seem different, way larger, well-design and more sophisticated than the ones we had, yet at the same time primitive but with an ancient elegance," the Prime Minister observed, examining closely at the ironclad ship which were painted golden in a fashion design, a bit larger than the ones on earth and seemed to give off a sense of dominance and royalty. He also got the feeling that it might be even more advanced and stronger than the average ironclad ship they have known.

"That's not the only one though," the Intelligence Officer continued as he revealed a second image, which shocked most of the people both in the conference and through the screens.

"W-What! The magnitude of these warships can only mean one thing: It is an invasion!" a staff general exclaimed.

Upon scanning through the pictures taken, Maximo's expression became tense and immediately ordered one of the admirals in the conference present.

"You, the admiral nearby the area. Deploy a fleet at once and intercept them! Utilize any necessary tactics," Maximo commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the admiral responded, prepared to follow the order.