June 15, 1640

Nahanath Territory

Armstrong Space Center

Prime Minister Sinclair and his entourage stared up at the towering metal construct in the distance as it held an even more massive cylindrical structure in place. A large plane sat next to it while dozens of people swarmed about the base of the tower, many equipped with hard hats and tablets. The scene itself screamed ‘important project’, but he didn’t know what this project even entailed. He knew only what the invite suggested: the Americans were to demonstrate their means of traveling to the heavens.

If there was one thing he could be sure of, it was that whatever this demonstration was, it was certainly meant to be a show of force. He knew that the Americans were technologically superior, but felt it unnecessary for them to rub it in with a grandiose display of their abilities. Then again, these people were generally practical, so he wondered what the auxiliary purposes of this endeavor were.

As if answering his thoughts, the American president strolled up beside him. “Welcome to the Armstrong Space Center in the Nahanath Territory, Prime Minister Sinclair,” he extended a hand, smiling, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“And you as well, President Lee,” Sinclair reciprocated, shaking the suited man’s hand. Curiously, the air around the American president was surprisingly cool.

Lee took notice of Sinclair’s expression. “Portable air conditioner,” he explained. “Runs off blue magic gems, or so I’m told.”

Sinclair gave a somewhat impressed look, wondering how his own people have never thought to incorporate magic into their society in such a manner. “How quaint,” he said.

“Indeed,” Lee said, turning to face the large installation. “I’m sure you’ve got many questions about this event, Mister Prime Minister.”

Sinclair nodded.

“They’ll be answered in due time. We’re just waiting for the other delegations to arrive.” Lee then gestured toward the sidewalk, “Since you’ve arrived early, how about we take a walk?”

The two leaders and their guards began walking toward the facility’s main command center. As they did so, Sinclair broke the silence. “Nahanath Territory?”

“The Nahanath Kingdom petitioned for territory status not too long ago, sometime during the Parpaldian Empire’s conquests. Generosity and friendship really does wonders, eh?”

Although Sinclair had the striking feeling that the royal family was somehow bribed or coerced, he let his concerns dissipate. In any case, the people of this region were likely better off in American hands anyway, as evidenced by the remarkable modernization of the Rodenius continent and other nations within the American sphere of influence. He answered simply, “Right. If only the Gra Valkans understood that.”

“Oh, speaking of the Gra Valkas Empire, my administration came up with some more… aggressive solutions to fending them off.”

Lee’s statement stirred up a storm of optimism within Sinclair. Fighting the excitement, he maintained an expert poker face. “Oh? I’m open to hearing what you have in mind, President Lee.”

“What do you think about mercenaries?”

—-

Prince Cabal scratched his head as he entered the ultra-modern hotel situated near the airport. While Gesta and Dallas went to check in, Cabal and Cielia waited in the lobby, taking a couch for themselves. He turned to Cielia, asking her, “Say, this country, the Nahanath Kingdom… When did they start accepting the Americans onto their soil?”

“Your Highness, the Nahanath Kingdom became a territory of the United States around October of last year. I assume they’ve been in contact for at least a month prior to this.”

Cabal gawked at the amenities of the hotel, as well as its polished construction. “The Americans built this entire hotel in just a few months?”

Cielia felt surprised as well, but not as much as Cabal considering her extensive research into the Americans’ capabilities and culture. “It’s not that far of a stretch. Almost a century ago, when the Americans were supposedly at our own level of technology, they built an entire 100-story skyscraper in just over a year. I guess they’ve improved upon their construction methods since then. Plus, it seems like they have something important going on in Nahanath.”

“Yes, this ‘rocket launch’ of theirs,” Cabal said with a slight shudder. He remembered the few times he’s heard the term before: all have been related to their unguided V-series rockets, which were long-distance weapons of destruction. With distress clouding his mind, he wondered if the Americans had invited his people here to gloat or show off their latest weaponry.

“Yes,” Cielia said. “Do you remember the introductory video we watched?”

Cabal jogged his memory. “I do, yes.”

“I think this ‘rocket launch’ is similar to the one that brought their people to the moon.”

Having no clue how to release the emotions that had built up within him, Cabal laughed out of anxiety. “What, so that video wasn’t propaganda after all? They truly have the ability to launch man-made vehicles into space?”

“From what I gather, yes, Your Highness,” Cielia said.

Cabal nodded and placed his hand over his mouth, sighing heavily into it. He turned around and looked up at the lobby’s ceiling, which he just noticed contained a beautiful painting of numerous objects in space. Without taking his eyes off of the artwork, he shared his thoughts with Cielia, “These people are truly beyond us,” he said, a tinge of defeat in his voice.

Cielia put on her best reassuring tone in response, “Your Highness,” she said, pausing and thinking about what to say next. “You’re right, they are beyond us.” She placed a hand on Cabal’s shoulder.

Cabal tore his eyes from the mural and looked at Cielia, giving his attention to her.

She continued, “But that also means we have a lot to gain from them, should we play our cards right. We might not be able to see your father’s plans for world domination, but we can still better our civilization. Conquest isn’t the only path; sometimes diplomacy can bear more fruit.”

Before Cabal could respond, Gesta called out to them, with Dallas trailing behind like an angsty teen. “Your Highness, we’re ready to go up to our room.”

“Right then,” Cabal said, snapping out of his thoughts, “What shall we have for dinner?”

—-

“Andromeda, huh?” President Kaios said to his wife as he waited in line to be admitted into the hotel’s restaurant. “What a rather fascinating name.”

Raita agreed, “Yes, it is. I wonder what it means?”

“It’s the name of one of our neighboring galaxies,” a voice behind them said. “Well, it used to be until we were transported here.”

President Kaios turned around to find a familiar face standing before him. With a surprised smile, he greeted the man, “Ambassador Anders! Why, it’s been quite a while!”

Anders flashed a smile and greeted them back, “Mister President, First Lady. I hope all has been well?”

“Oh, it has! My administration has been doing quite well lately, thanks to your Marshall Program funds. I’m really glad to tell you that everything we worked for paid off!”

“Well, that’s great to hear!” Anders said.

“We might not have the territories we once had, but my people are much better off than before, especially with all the infrastructure investments in Parpaldia.”

Anders brushed it off, “And you’ll be seeing even more development in the future. Parpaldia is lucky to have a man like you at the helm,” he said, patting Kaios on the shoulder.

“It couldn’t have been possible without a man like you behind the scenes, Anders,” Kaios smiled. “So,” he said, changing the subject, “I heard you’ve been reassigned to the Holy Mirishial Empire?”

“I have. It’s been… hectic, to say the least. I’ve had a lot on my plate, especially when it comes to organizing the new Elysian Defense Initiative and establishing America’s spot within it.”

“Oh?” Raita felt shocked. “Does that mean the U.S. is finally going to take a more active role?”

Anders confirmed Raita’s theory. “Yeah,” he said with an uncertain tone. “I think we’re gonna have to.”

Kaios noticed Anders’ worry, which sent shivers down his spine. What could be so threatening as to worry the bold ambassador, who had confidently laid the foundation for not only a successful coup, but a successful government? Kaios couldn’t help but scratch the itch. He asked, “What’s wrong? Is it the Gra Valkans?”

“No,” Anders said, shaking his head. “They’re a bit of a thorn, but they’re not our main concern.”

Kaios and Raita began to realize what Anders was referring to.

Lowering his voice, Anders continued, “It’s the Ravernal Empire. My government just found out more about them, so we’re taking this threat much more seriously from now on.”

“Good heavens,” Raita muttered, “They’re not arriving anytime soon, are they?”

“I don’t believe so,” Anders reassured them. “We’ve still got around a decade to prepare; I don’t think the timetable has shifted up at all.”

Kaios breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, that’s good to hear.” A sly smirk started growing on Kaios’ face as he saw and capitalized on an opportunity. “You know, Ambassador, the Parpaldian Republic is willing to help prepare defenses against the Ravernals.”

Anders caught a whiff of what Kaios was suggesting, but played it off diplomatically. “We’re still figuring that out ourselves. Not much we can do but wait until my Congress has gotten all the budgets sorted out. We still haven’t announced this threat to our public yet, and we’ll need a hell of a lot more evidence to convince them the threat is real.”

“I see.” Kaios dropped the subject. “So, what’s this event about, then? Will you be announcing something related to the Elysian Defense Initiative?”

Anders smiled, “Well, not exactly.” He put a hold on the conversation while they checked into the restaurant and found their seats. “It’s sort of a…” He noticed President Lee getting ready to give a speech on a podium at the front end of the room. “Actually, my president’s going to announce that in a few minutes,” Anders said, motioning toward the podium. “Guess we’re just waiting for everyone to stream in.”

Kaios looked around, confirming that many people were indeed finding their seats. “Huh, that’s Emperor Mirishial,” he noticed an extravagantly dressed elf sitting at a round table near the front. Sitting beside and near him at other tables were more prominent leaders. “And that’s Prince Gra Cabal, and the Grand Wizard of Agartha, and a Dragonian from the Emor Kingdom? I never thought that they would leave the confines of their isolationist haven for an international event, much less a human-led one.”

Anders shrugged, “It took a bit to convince them. We basically had to reveal all the details to get them on board. But hey, Mister President, at least you’ll get to enjoy the surprise of finding out.”

With everyone already seated and no new guests coming in, Lee took the microphone and tapped it twice to get everyone’s attention. “Leaders of Elysia, thank you for coming tonight. I know the World Leadership Conference is around the corner, so you may be wondering why I’ve gathered you all here today.” Lee paused, allowing his audience time to reflect. “I was hoping that this event tonight could provide some context for my nation, the United States of America. Six decades ago, my countrymen took a vested interest in the heavens above. Spurred by competition, we rallied the brightest minds in the nation to achieve a goal once deemed impossible – a goal dreamed of by many before us. We tasted the magnificence of flight with our first balloons and planes, and we yearned for more. With our rivals gunning for victory, we decided to demonstrate just how capable we were.”

The curtains behind President Lee folded back in dramatic fashion, revealing a large window behind him. Outside, large spotlights illuminated a massive rocket and its launchpad while the sun began to set in the horizon, painting a beautiful sky as its orange rays mingled with the violet skies above. Lee continued his speech, “And so, we did what no man has done before. We stepped foot on our moon.”