Kaiser lingered on the observation deck of Aethelgard, letting the hum of reactors and the distant clatter of boots sink into him.
Below, the training field had been cleared for a demonstration. A squad of Jaeger, clad in the M7V1 "Arbatos" power armor, were arrayed in formation, their sleek frames gleaming faintly under the platform's lighting.
The armor was thinner, streamlined, designed for agility and precision rather than sheer intimidation, but even so, it carried the aura of lethal efficiency.
"Mein Führer," Johan's voice carried across the deck. "We've arranged a combat demonstration. The Jaeger will face a series of automated combat drones, simulating hostile boarding and planetary assault scenarios."
Kaiser nodded. "Show me."
The field below shuddered as the first wave of drones was deployed. They hovered silently at first, then accelerated, energy weapons arcing from their mounts.
Each drone was humanoid in silhouette but far smaller than the Jaeger, designed for high-speed engagement and overwhelming numbers. Kaiser counted over twenty approaching, moving in coordinated patterns.
A Jaeger squad leader raised a hand. Neural interfaces synced, servos hissed, and the unit spread into a tactical formation. The armor flexed fluidly and twisted as its enhanced wearer prepared for contact.
The first drone fired.
Energy bolts streaked across the field, leaving faint trails in the artificial gravity's light. One Jaeger ducked under the arc, spinning in midair, servos pumping for extra thrust, and returned fire.
The shots from his rifle cut cleanly through a drone' hull, where sparks flying. The movement was smooth, almost balletic; every step, dodge, and counterattack perfectly calculated.
Another drone swooped in from the flank. One Jaeger pivoted, landing a single punch. The drone crumpled in an explosion of internal circuits. Kaiser' eyes narrowed in approval; the unit's precision was flawless.
'This is like watching an animated series in Warhammer-Plus!,' he thought.
The drones advanced in waves, increasing in number and coordination. The Jaeger responded seamlessly: some engaged directly, others flanked, a few leaped into midair, landing atop drones before crushing them with servo-assisted strength.
Kaiser could see the neural interfaces working in perfect harmony with the armor' conduits—the soldiers were extensions of the machines they wore.
A particularly bold drone tried a high-speed strike from above. The squad leader anticipated it, activating the armor' kinetic dampeners and spinning midair, intercepting the drone before it could close.
Sparks rained down as metal clashed with reinforced plating. Another Jaeger moved into blocking positions, the squad covering each other' blind spots with uncanny coordination.
Johan's voice echoed again. "Mein Führer, each soldier is capable of handling multiple hostiles individually. Their reaction times are enhanced by neural implants, and the armor' capability amplifies their strength and agility."
The drones were systematically eliminated. Explosions popped in quick succession, sparks flying as the last one was smashed under a Jaeger' reinforced boot. The field was littered with inert wreckage, but the squad remained perfectly composed, standing in formation as though nothing had happened.
Kaiser allowed a faint smile. 'Even in limited numbers, they perform as a perfect strike unit. I should have kept more together in one place.'
He stepped closer, examining the armor. The M7V1 "Arbatos" was sleek, almost organic in its lines, optimized for speed and agility. Neural conduits glimmered faintly beneath the surface, and the helmet' optics flickered as it interfaced with external sensors.
Kaiser let his eyes drift over the field. The Jaeger, moving with precision in their armor, contrasted against the Heer's steady and disciplined ranks, highlighting the Reich' balance of shock power and mass reliability. He exhaled slowly, feeling the familiar thrill of command.
"Prepare them for larger operations," he murmured. "Our spearhead must always be ready."
Johan nodded. "Understood, Mein Führer."
Kaiser stepped back, letting his gaze drift outward.
"Mein Führer!" Klaus, the SS Kommander spoke. "There is a transmission from Yvonic I. It was sent by the research department."
Kaiser nodded. "Very well. Johan, keep the men ready. I will leave now."
"Yes, Mein Führer. We are glad to have you here," Johan said, inclined his head solemnly.
---
Moment later, Kaiser found himself aboard the Royal Cruiser bound for Yvonic I, a harsh, industrial planet far from Aethelgard.
The void outside the observation deck stretched endlessly, dotted with distant stars, but the planet below was a jagged landscape of metal and stone.
There was no atmosphere to speak of. There is no ocean or local life-form, only sprawling factory complexes, automated assembly lines stretching for thousands of kilometers, smelting plants pumping molten metal into pipelines, and colossal platforms moving with mechanical precision.
William Sten, a scientist stationed here guides Kaiser around.
"Mein Führer," William said, his mortal build dwarfed beside Kaiser, "Yvonic I is entirely dedicated to production. The planet's surface is covered by our automated industrial complexes. No breathable atmosphere, but life-supported sectors allow safe operation for personnel."
Kaiser nodded, watching the planet's surface pass beneath them. "I will be inspecting the revised Jaeger armor."
William' expression didn't change, but his voice carried a hint of anticipation. "The prototype has been prepared, Mein Führer. The laboratory is equipped for full evaluation. Scientists are confident the redesign will meet your expectations."
The Royal Cruiser descended through the planet's low-orbit industrial satellites, docking at a massive laboratory complex the size of a small city.
Inside, Kaiser stepped down into a cavernous hall filled with polished steel floors, towering equipment racks, and power conduits stretching to the ceiling. The hum of machinery was omnipresent, punctuated by the occasional hiss of vented plasma.
A group of scientists, clad in reinforced overalls and helmets with integrated HUDs, snapped to attention as Kaiser entered.
The prototype M7V2 "Arbatos" stood in the center, illuminated by adjustable lighting panels. Compared to the older M7V1, it was bulkier, more imposing, and immediately reminiscent of the legendary Space Marine armor he had studied in his old-world.
Kaiser had personally demanded its retrofitting. The reason? Well, he couldn't possibly let the people of the Imperium see him command a legion of odd-looking space marine, could he?
Its outer plating was thicker, layered with advanced alloys, yet the design retained the angular elegance of Germania engineering. Neural conduits and servo-actuators gleamed along the joints, ready to amplify the wearer's movements.
The helmet resembled a stahlhelm, sleek and iconic, giving the Jaeger a fearsome visage. Kaiser could almost imagine the psychological effect on an enemy; just a glimpse of the glowing optics would be enough to unsettle any soldier.
He walked slowly around the armor, running a gloved hand along the reinforced shoulder plates.
"Is there any performance decline?" he asked.
"No, Mein Führer," one of the chief engineers replied. "We only redesigned the exterior aesthetics. The internal systems, including the reactor, life-support, and neural interface, remain unchanged. The Jaeger will feel no difference in agility or responsiveness."
Kaiser's eyes drifted to the legs, where additional actuators and power amplifiers had been subtly integrated.
"And how about the risk of malfunction?" he asked.
"All anticipated," the engineer said confidently. "We reinforced cooling channels and integrated additional heat sinks along the spine and limbs. Even under sustained combat stress, the armor will maintain full operational performance."
Kaiser nodded, stepping back to observe the whole suit. "This is remarkable. Our Jaeger will be terrifying on the battlefield."
William stood behind him.
"Mein Führer, once deployed, the new M7V2 'Arbatos' will be the standard for all Jaeger personnel. Combined with future recruits undergoing gene-enhancements, the Reich' spearhead will be unstoppable."
Kaiser allowed a small smile. "Good. Prepare them for manufacturing."
The scientists nodded briskly, activating the field around the armor. Holo-displays projected stats: armor integrity, efficiency, neural latency, and power consumption. Kaiser observed the readouts carefully. Every metric fell within optimal ranges.
"Interesting," he murmured, tapping his chin. He then glanced at William. "I hope there are no problems with the retrofitting program."
William inclined his head. "Understood, Mein Führer. I will oversee the program personally."
Kaiser's gaze lingered on the armor once more. The armor was a manifestation of Germania' technological pride, genetic mastery, and military philosophy combined into one perfect instrument of war.
He stepped back, letting the hum of the laboratory settle around him. The Yvonic I might have been lifeless, barren, and industrial, but here, in this lab, life of a different sort was being forged.