Imperium of Man Terra Aeterna Season 01: Rise of Humanity's War Machin

The ground shook violently. Dust exploded into the air, billowing in every direction. A deafening rumble shattered the windows of the Takagi estate, echoing like divine thunder announcing ruin. In the middle of the newly formed crater, three giant figures stood tall—looming like war gods descended from the heavens with a single purpose: judgment.

Right in front of Reuel, a Lord Inquisitor stood nearly three meters tall. His body was encased in pitch-black armor, a long cloak billowing dramatically in the wind birthed by their spiritual might. From behind his gothic helmet, the Inquisitor's eyes glowed coldly—a light that did not belong to any ordinary man. Behind him, two other Inquisitors stood like statues of death. Their ceramite armor gleamed under the dull sunlight, marked with the bold insignias of the Imperial Fists and the Aquila across their chests.

Their aura hit the battlefield like a massive hammer—crushing, choking, and silencing every soul that dared to look their way. Survivors and followers of the Takagi family froze where they stood. No one dared to speak.

Each step the Inquisitors took was heavy and thunderous, cracking the earth in a four-meter radius with every movement. No greetings. No words. Only suffocating silence... and divine judgment.

A man—a Takagi family member with shattered legs—crawled, trying to escape. But it was too late.

The Inquisitor raised one hand. Without touching him, he lifted the man like a ragdoll. Then, with slow but certain movement, his steel-clad fist slammed into the man's head—

KRAK!

The sound of a skull bursting like a watermelon filled the air. Blood sprayed wildly. The earth was stained red. No one screamed—their throats too frozen with horror.

The two Inquisitors flanking the Lord Inquisitor moved instantly, executing anyone deemed heretical. One by one, bodies hit the ground, organs spilling, lives extinguished. Ten people were dead in seconds.

No one fought back. No mercy was given.

Reuel stepped forward, raising a hand. "Enough! Don't kill everyone!"

The Inquisitor stopped mid-step and turned to face Reuel. His voice was deep, metallic, and thunderous—like iron grinding against stone:

"The God-Emperor… allow us to cleanse this place of the blasphemers. They have defiled Your name, and by that, defiled the will of the Imperium."

From a distance, Takashi Komuro and the others could only stand frozen. Rei Miyamoto covered her mouth with a trembling hand, while Kohta Hirano collapsed to the ground, eyes wide, staring at the scattered remains.

They had just witnessed humans crushed like insects—and in that moment, they understood... this was no longer their world.

The entire courtyard of the Takagi estate turned to ice. Every gaze fixed on the three colossal figures beside Reuel—the three Inquisitors of the Imperium of Man. Death hung in the air like radioactive fog, cold and inevitable. The remains of those who dared defy the Emperor lay scattered across the ground, reduced to mangled flesh and shattered bone.

Then a heavy sound came from the sky.

WHUM—WHUM—WHUM—THROOOOOOMMM!!

The familiar thrum of helicopter rotors shattered the suffocating silence. For the desperate survivors, the sound was either salvation—or a final reminder before death.

Dozens of heads turned skyward.

From behind the clouds, fifty helicopters descended to low altitude. Eighteen of them were Black Hawks, equipped with special ops teams. Flanking them, fully armed Apache gunships formed an attack formation. Their long shadows swept over the Takagi estate, creating the illusion of incoming rescue… or retribution.

But that wasn't all.

Thirty Valkyrie Assault Carriers from the Warhammer 40K universe surged in behind them, shaking the sky like heavenly legions preparing to seal Japan's skies.

A fat man pointed upward with a trembling finger. His voice was almost hopeful—desperately so:

"T-That's… Black Hawks! And those are Apaches! They… they belong to the U.S. military! They must be here to save us…!"

His eyes narrowed as he noticed the strange shapes trailing behind them.

"But… those aircraft… in the back… they look weird. I… I don't know. Maybe it's new American tech…"

Takashi Komuro looked up at the sky with hope in his eyes, gripping Miyamoto Rei's hand tightly.

"If we can reach the American military base, they'll have to take us in. But Reuel… and those three monsters—the U.S. military will see them as enemies."

Rei didn't respond. Her eyes were empty, staring at the incoming helicopters, as if unable to decide whether they were a sign of salvation… or the beginning of another catastrophe.

Across the courtyard, Soichiro Takagi overheard the fat man's declaration. A faint glimmer of hope lit up his previously grim face.

"If that really is the American military… maybe they can take the three of them down."

Takagi Yuriko stepped closer. Her voice was soft, but firm.

"You think they're here to save us?"

Soichiro nodded slowly.

"Japan and the United States are allies. They should be."

Saeko Busujima turned to look at Reuel with a sharp gaze. Her eyes flicked from Reuel to the sky filled with the silhouettes of helicopters, then back again—as if searching for answers in silence.

Reuel met her gaze and gave a slight nod, calm and assured.

Saeko understood. The soldiers descending from the sky—those were Reuel's troops. The very forces he had spoken of before.

The helicopters hovered low, their shadows blanketing the Takagi estate. Ropes were lowered, and uniformed figures rappelled down swiftly with practiced precision.

Hundreds of soldiers landed, clad in dark green combat uniforms marked with the symbol of a two-headed eagle on their chests. They carried unfamiliar weapons—not rifles known to any modern military. They moved quickly into formation, surrounding Reuel.

A commander stepped forward, dressed in the distinctive uniform of a Cadian Shock Trooper officer. He gave a military salute with the two-headed eagle—the sign of their Imperium.

"Your Excellency, God Emperor, I am Major Hellsker, commander of the Cadian Shock Troopers Legion. We've come at your command."

Reuel gave a small nod.

"Major Hellsker, secure this place. Detain anyone armed. The rebels… kill them without mercy."

"Yes, Your Excellency." Major Hellsker saluted once more, then turned to his troops.

"Confiscate all their weapons. No mercy for traitors. Kill them if they resist."

"Yes, sir!"

Soichiro Takagi stood frozen, his eyes locked on the soldiers that had arrived. What he had assumed were American forces… were far from it. Their uniforms were unfamiliar, their weapons didn't resemble any human technology. Even their officer's demeanor felt like a fusion of Nazi and Soviet command—with a darker, colder atmosphere.

And most shocking of all: they saluted Reuel. Not a flag. Not a government. Not any international authority—but a single man.

Deep inside, Soichiro knew… they had lost.

Takashi Komuro came to the same realization. His eyes scanned the soldiers, then turned to the increasingly cornered Takagi group. His body trembled. There was no way out.

Whispers began to rise. Most of the survivors were starting to ask the same question—who exactly was Reuel?

As the tension reached its peak, the sound of heavy machinery rumbled in the distance.

"GRRUUMMM—GRRRRKK—KLAK-KLAK!"

Metal treads slammed against the pavement, shaking the ground with every rotation. From the gates, a Centaur Light Carrier armored vehicle burst into view, speeding down the main path into the Takagi compound.

Within moments, hundreds more soldiers poured out of the vehicle, forming tight, disciplined ranks. They surrounded the entire perimeter, weapons aimed directly at the remaining armed members of the Takagi family.

"Drop your weapons! Surrender immediately! If not, we will level this place!" Major Hellsker roared, his voice booming like a hammer of judgment.

The remaining members of the Takagi family began to falter. The weapons in their hands meant nothing compared to the sheer tech, numbers, and cold determination of the Cadian forces. Overhead, helicopters still circled. Behind them, massive airships and unidentified aircraft from another universe loomed high in the sky.

One by one, weapons began to fall to the ground.

Reuel and Saeko Busujima walked confidently into the center of the courtyard, approaching Soichiro Takagi, who was now completely surrounded by the Cadian Shock Troopers. Behind them, three figures in thick black robes and heavy armor moved silently—three Inquisitors of the Imperium, whose mere presence was enough to silence any rebellion.

"So now I hold the power," Reuel said, his voice flat but piercing. "What will you do? Didn't you say earlier that the one with the greatest strength deserves everything?"

Soichiro Takagi squinted at him, confused and shaken. "Who are you, really? Why are these soldiers protecting you?"

Reuel gave a slight smirk, then glanced toward Takashi Komuro. "Take a guess. Bring him here," he said, gesturing to the Inquisitors behind him.

Two of them stepped forward. Their footsteps were heavy, echoing like steel hammers striking the earth. An aura of authority and threat radiated from every movement. Takashi Komuro, seeing them approach, instantly turned pale. He tried to back away, but before he could run, one of the Inquisitors grabbed him with one hand as if his body weighed nothing.

With his other hand, the same Inquisitor—who had restrained himself until now—slammed a brutal punch into Komuro's gut.

BAMMM!!

Komuro folded over and collapsed, but didn't lose consciousness. His breath caught, and a wave of searing pain surged through his body.

Reuel stepped closer, looking down at him coldly. "So, boy… you no longer desire my women—Saeko Busujima and Shizuka Marikawa?"

Takashi remained silent, his body trembling. He couldn't muster a response.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" Reuel hissed in disgust. "You're pathetic."

"I-I... I don't dare... please, Reuel... let me go... I really don't dare..." Komuro whimpered, his voice broken. He dropped to his knees, shaking in terror before the Space Marines. Whatever pride he had left shattered completely.

Reuel let out a long sigh, disinterested.

So this is it? I thought he'd fight until the end… like in those manga I used to read in my past life. But this is real. This isn't anime. This isn't a comic, he thought.

His original plan was to humiliate Takashi in a painful but meaningful way. But it seemed the boy had already broken—before the performance had even begun.

Japanese men… so proud against the weak, but they crumble before real power. And their women? Treated like objects. No honor whatsoever.

In another corner of the courtyard, Rei Miyamoto stared at Takashi in disbelief, then rubbed her eyes, as if trying to make sense of what she was seeing.

Kohta Hirano, the chubby sniper, hid behind the rubble of a shattered concrete wall, praying no one noticed him.

Soichiro Takagi could only look at Takashi with a conflicted expression. Yuriko Takagi, on the other hand, gazed at the young man as though he were a stray dog that had wandered into a noble estate—filthy and unworthy.

"Lady Yuriko," Reuel said softly, but with commanding presence. "Allow me to invite you to rest at my modest residence. I hope it is worthy enough to receive your presence. And I trust Lord Soichiro Takagi won't object… am I right, Lord Soichiro?"

A thin smile curved on his lips—sharp and calm, radiating dominance without any need for direct threat.

Soichiro stared at Reuel blankly. He glanced at Yuriko, then at the armed troops surrounding them. His own words echoed back at him: The one who holds power decides everything.

With a heavy breath, he gave a slow nod. Silent. Resigned.

All he could do was watch his wife be taken by another man. This was total defeat. But if he chose to resist, the lives of everyone in the estate would be the cost.

This wasn't about pride anymore. It was about survival.

And he knew—it all began with his own arrogance.

Kenthelion gave a casual wave.

"Major Hellsker!"

"Yes, Your Excellency, God Emperor!"

"Proceed with the plan. Return the Takagi family's weapons as a gesture of goodwill… present them to Lady Yuriko Takagi. Then redirect the entire force to the next location."

"As you command, Your Excellency," replied a neatly uniformed officer—Jacob, the field commander of the Cadian Shock Troopers. He saluted with full respect and immediately relayed the order to the entire battalion.

Reuel turned to his group. "You three, board separate helicopters. Head to the next target."

He then looked at Saeko and extended his hand toward Yuriko. "Saeko, let's escort Lady Yuriko. We'll board a different chopper."

Calmly, Reuel took Shizuka Marikawa's hand and the little Alice's, then ascended the ramp of the Valkyrie Assault Carrier that had just landed. The ship's engines roared furiously, filling the air with the sound of absolute power.

Reuel didn't look back.

Let them be.

Let these people wrestle with their shattered pride. He was sick of the arrogance and hypocrisy of these Japanese men.

As the helicopter began lifting into the air, the Imperial Guard convoy slowly rolled out of the Takagi estate. Dust swirled, and the rumble of tank treads echoed into the distance.

Below, the survivors could only stare at the sky.

Takashi Komuro collapsed to the ground. Trembling.

He truly believed… today was the day he would die.

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Valkyrie Assault Carrier

"Xenos aircraft may be terrifying, sure. But give me a thousand Valkyries to set the sky ablaze, and we'll see what's left of those alien filths that's still worth fearing."

— Air Marshal Zutrov, before the Battle of Borenza Gulf

General Overview

The Valkyrie is a twin-engine assault transport aircraft equipped with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, used primarily by the Astra Militarum of the Imperium. It serves dual roles as an aerial assault gunship and a troop transport vehicle for elite airborne units like the Tempestus Scions and Elysian Drop Troops.

Though assigned to Astra Militarum regiments, Valkyrie pilots and crew are drawn from the Aeronautica Imperialis, a division under the Navis Imperialis, and are deployed based on operational requirements.

Design & Maneuverability

The Valkyrie is agile, fully armed, and highly adaptable. Its durable armored frame and versatile chassis are paired with powerful vectored turbojet engines and stable controls, making it a favorite for a wide range of battlefield roles.

A pressurized cockpit and promethium-fueled engines allow Valkyries to operate both in the upper atmosphere—against aerial targets—and within the harshest planetary environments.

With troop capacity comparable to a Chimera APC, Valkyries are ideal for rapid deployment missions. From delivering elite Scion squads into combat, reinforcing weakening fronts with grim-faced Veterans, to extracting high-ranking officers from hostile zones—the Valkyrie handles it all.

Mobility & Deployment

Thanks to its vectored engines, the Valkyrie can hover, pivot, and maneuver at low altitudes amidst heavy combat. Troops can be deployed mid-air via rear hatches, and every Valkyrie is outfitted with Grav-Chutes for rapid—albeit dangerous—high-speed insertions.

Dropping from the cold steel womb of a Valkyrie into hostile skies can be disorienting, even by Astra Militarum standards. As grav-troopers descend into a churning mass of enemy forces, they are often met with withering fire, monstrous xenos mutations, or searing daemonic flame.

Yet, despite the risks, the psychological and tactical impact of a Valkyrie strike is often more devastating for the enemy. Carefully organized offensives collapse into chaos as lasgun-armed infantry emerge behind enemy lines. Artillery and psykers positioned far from the front are swiftly overwhelmed by shock troops pouring from the skies.

The Valkyrie's legacy is long and respected among Imperial infantry and armored regiments alike, earning it the nickname "The Emperor's Wings." Those who've seen a Carnifex obliterated by Hellstrike missiles from above, or been plucked from the jaws of a rampaging Ork horde, speak of the Valkyrie with awe.

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Armament

"Shoot. Drop. Shoot. Recover. Repeat as necessary."

— Mantra of Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie pilots

Airstrikes are vital components of many Imperial battle plans. Given the high risk and high-value nature of such missions, Valkyries typically carry the best soldiers available—Tempestus Scions or Veteran Guardsmen. Some pragmatic commanders, however, have also achieved major victories by using Valkyries to deploy standard infantry across the battlefield.

Company Commander Jetta Bacchi of the 992nd Athonian "Vagrant Blades" regiment used Valkyries extensively during hive-city engagements across the Imperium. Her tactics involved scattering Tunnel Rats across combat zones before launching major offensives. Infantry squads would lay ambushes and kill-zones, forcing the enemy into a grim choice: proceed slowly and risk ambushes—or rush ahead and be cut down by aerial firepower.

Even when troop transport is not required—or impossible—Valkyries remain invaluable aerial assets. Their weapon systems allow them to conduct precision strikes and engage enemy infantry, while holding their own against hostile aircraft. Though some xenos aircraft are faster, few match the Valkyrie's balanced offensive and defensive capabilities.

Standard Weapon Configuration:

Multi-Laser mounted beside the cockpit (can be swapped for a Lascannon)

Two Hellstrike Missiles mounted under the wings (alternatives include):

Two external fuel tanks, or

Two Multiple Rocket Pods

Two door-mounted Heavy Bolters, each operated by a dedicated gunner

Optional upgrades include:

Ejector seats

Reinforced cockpit armor

Flare/chaff launchers

Infrared targeting systems

Illuminator flares

VTOL capabilities allow Valkyries to hover in place after troop deployment, providing covering fire or suppressive support during extraction or high-risk insertions.

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Variants & Modifications

For long-term assignments with the Astra Militarum, Valkyries are often retrofitted with additional armor plating by Aeronautica Imperialis to improve survivability in close combat zones. However, this increases fuel consumption, reducing flight ceiling and operational range.

Transport Capacity:

Up to 12 Guardsmen

Cannot carry large numbers of Ogryn

May carry one of the following instead of a full squad:

Modified Drop Sentinel

Cyclops Demolition Vehicle

Sentry Gun

(Note: these loads require additional external fuel tanks due to increased weight)