Aurora's Frontier (Another Worldly Summons Sequel)

Chapter 1

Iloilo Industrial Space Port

Bustling activity filled one of the key pillars of ASEAN's war efforts against the Mythrax and Xalorians, ranking fourth only to Jakarta, Jayapura, and Ho Chi Minh City in terms of Pal Chimera production. Situated in the central Philippines, the 4 million residents of Iloilo City enjoyed life away from the battlefields and wars raging hundreds of light years away.

Towering high-rise buildings dotted the skyline, and soon casting long shadows over them were several large flying vessels. These UFO-like flying ships, known as "flying pancakes" by many civilians, had become a common sight in ASEAN for the last century. These standard Type III SEA-SHLs stretched 300 meters in diameter and flew slowly above the city.

Their existence had almost completely replaced conventional jet-engine aircraft by the 2070s, transitioning into gravity-powered aircraft equipped with plasma jet engines. Supersonic airliners had become the norm for the current generation, complementing the staple numbers of Strategic Heavy Lifters (SHLs), formerly known as Pal Chimeras. These SHLs were so numerous that by the 2090s, ASEAN had ceased attempts to name them individually after the 500th SHL entered service.

At the large hangar currently located at Hibao-an Norte after reclamation in the 2040s, former residents were relocated, and the entire area was leveled. An aircraft manufacturing center was set up, soon renovated, and expanded for further expansion plans for building out early versions of Pal Chimera spare parts before their localization and indigenous production of semi-scientific versions. These would later be called Strategic Heavy Lifters after successful copying attempts by research departments in Singapore and Bangkok.

The most crucial part of these ships, the gravity engines, were larger than the original versions but had higher output and weight takeoff clearance. Backed by artificial meat production plants that crystallized them into refined magic gems as fuel, ASEAN began churning out unlicensed versions of the Pal Chimera, branding them with new names and exporting them to allied countries, eventually allowing their licensing to these nations.

Magic and science became ingrained in the daily lives of people in Southeast Asia. With the intermingling with natives of the new world, many married and had hybrid children of Earth origins and natives of this world, allowing their offspring to wield magic. After the opening of borders in the late 2020s, curious Southeast Asians flocked to Rodenius and Philades. However, the influx also brought a surge in crime, with gunrunners, crime syndicates, and cartels from Southeast Asia setting up operations in the new world. The frequency of kidnappings targeting Southeast Asians and other Earthlings also rose sharply.

Additionally, terrorism and rebellions from remnants of S'vam and their defeated allies in the Northern Coalition persisted, attacking Southeast Asians and inciting insurgency in the newly founded Hanson Kingdom. This kingdom enforced an apartheid regime against pro-imperial factions, remnants of Annonrials, S'vam, and Northern Coalition people within its borders, and no one questioned it. An estimated 6 million died in the past 20 years, with an unaccounted number of children sent to reeducation camps, countless women assaulted and raped, and almost daily executions of suspected rebels - suspected only with many are innocents killed. This brutality continued until ASEAN finally intervened and imposed sanctions in late 2050, more than two decades after the scars of destruction and humiliation had already been carved into the souls of the people of Northern Coalition.

Though there was a lot of outcry about the genocide and ASEAN's inaction, people during the 2020s to 2030s harbored strong hate and repulsion due to the war against the Northern Coalition, which was allied with the Annonrials. This alliance led to large amount deaths on Southeast Asian side, amplified by propaganda, efforts to control potential rebels from the defeated countries, and government-backed demonization of enemies. Consequently, many Southeast Asians were indifferent. It wasn't until a generation came along with little to no hostilities, or those whose animosity had simmered down after decades, that they finally came to their senses and stopped the apartheid regime from committing such heinous acts.