"Acceptable,"
I said simply before shifting my gaze back to the prototype.
"Begin the live demonstration."
The panzer commander snapped to attention, barking an order to his crew.
They scrambled back into the steel beast with practiced efficiency.
The hatch slammed shut, and within moments, the engine roared back to life, coughing out thick plumes of exhaust as the modified Panzer II that looked like a mini version of panther with king tigers angled front turret surged forward.
The modified Panzer II rumbled across the proving grounds, maneuvering through a series of obstacles, trenches, concrete barriers, and steep inclines meant to simulate battlefield conditions.
It moved with surprising agility, its Christie suspension absorbing the rough terrain with ease.
"Handling appears smooth,"
The Minister of War observed, arms crossed.
"No unnecessary jolting. That's a good sign."
The tank reached the firing range. The turret rotated smoothly, aligning with the targets ahead repurposed wrecks of older vehicles and reinforced concrete slabs.
"Load high explosive!"
The commander ordered from within.
A moment later, a thunderous BOOM echoed across the field as the 37mm gun fired.
A burst of flame erupted from the barrel, and a second later, one of the targets was reduced to smoldering rubble.
"Direct hit!"
The obserber called.
"Cycle armor piercing!"
The next shot rang out, the projectile slamming into a heavily reinforced steel plate meant to simulate enemy armor.
A gaping hole was left in its wake, metal twisted and melted from the sheer force of impact.
"The gun is performing within expected parameters,"
The lead engineer noted.
"The increased caliber and improved shell velocity have drastically increased penetration capabilities."
The demonstration continued with the auxiliary weapons.
The coaxal heavy machine gun mounted in the turret next to the main gun roared to life, spewing lead downrange as it tore through simulated infantry targets.
The turret mounted and chassis light machine gun followed suit, rattling out controlled bursts.
When it was finished, the Panzer II came to a stop, hissing as the engine idled.
The crew emerged, standing at attention as I stepped forward.
"Not bad for now It will do"
I muttered.
"At least until KVs, T34s and panthers with tigers appear"
The Minister of War beamed.
"This is only the beginning, Imperator! Once production scales up, we'll have armored fists capable of smashing through any line."
"For two year, by four years these scraps of Iron will only be good enough to serve as scout vechiles"
I mused, before turning to my secretary, Lucilla, who had been silently observing the entire ordeal.
She nervously adjusted the collar of her trench coat still not used to being among such high ranking people before consulting her neatly arranged notes.
"Your next inspection, Imperator, is at the docks. The first submarine has already laid down It's keel, and the naval engineers together with the minister of navy are awaiting your arrival."
I exhaled, already shifting my mindset toward the next task.
"Very well. Have the convoy prepared immediately."
Lucilla nodded, already stepping aside to relay my command.
The war machine of the Imperium was beginning to take shape, one piece at a time. And soon, the world would feel its weight.
...
A few hours later
The low hum of the armored car's engine resonated through the cabin as I leaned back into the plush leather seat, swirling a half full bottle of wine in one hand.
The vehicle glided over the newly paved roads, smooth and efficient, a stark contrast to the cracked dirt paths of days prior.
The rapid industrialization of Nova Roma was visible in every direction the skyline of the city transforming as skeletal steel frames of new factories, residential buildings, and military installations reached skyward.
Along the roadsides, workers toiled under the cold morning sun, laying down vast stretches of reinforced concrete and asphalt, the skeletons of new highways stretching toward the horizon. Towering cranes groaned under the weight of massive steel beams, and the rhythmic pounding of hydraulic hammers filled the air, blending with the distant wail of sirens from the dockyards.
The Imperium was awakening, reforging itself in fire and steel.
Lucilla sat across from me, her posture rigid but composed, the discipline of her new position settling into her bones.
Even now, dressed in the Imperium's crisp service uniform, a well fitted jacket, pants, and trench coat, perhaps well too fitted for my heart she still seemed unaccustomed to her newfound role.
Her green eyes flicked between her neatly arranged notes and the passing scenery, stealing occasional glances at Flavia, who was pressed against the window, watching the world outside with innocent wonder.
I reached into my coat, retrieving a small silver cigarette case. With a flick, it opened, revealing a row of hand rolled cigarettes. I pulled one free, rolling it between my fingers before glancing at Flavia.
She turned away from the window, her wide eyes locking onto the cigarette in my hand. For a moment, she just watched, curious but silent.
I exhaled sharply, snapped the case shut, and stuffed it back into my coat. The window remained closed.
"Imperator?"
Lucilla asked, eyebrow raised.
"Nothing,"
I muttered.
"Just a habit."
The convoy continued its path through the city, passing through the final checkpoint before reaching the sprawling naval dockyards.
The sea breeze carried the scent of salt, oil, and steel, a mix of industry and ocean that signified the birth of a naval force.
Towering cranes loomed over the waterfront, their long metal arms stretching across barely assembled hull, while workers in gray overalls scrambled over scaffolding, welding and hammering the first new warship into existence.
With a gentle hiss, the convoy came to a halt. My Death Squad, clad in their battle worn but polished armor, immediately stepped into formation after dismounting their truck.
Their heavy combat boots struck the pavement in unison as they formed two disciplined rows, weapons held at a precise angle.
The rear door of my vehicle swung open, Zero One standing rigid, his helmeted gaze meeting mine.
"Imperator,"
He stated, voice firm.
I stepped out, my half cloak billowing in the crisp ocean wind. Lucilla followed closely, her own coat rippling in the breeze, while Flavia clung to her side, the little girl shivering slightly at the sudden chill.
Lupa padded silently to my right, her massive frame causing more than a few of the dockworkers and engineers to stiffen in alarm.
A group of men already awaited my arrival. At the forefront stood the Minister of the Navy, a seasoned man with a face carved by years of sea air and vistitudes of life, his crisp officer's service uniform adorned with golden insignias of rank. His sharp blue eyes met mine as he raised his hand in a firm salute.
"Hail, Imperator!"
I returned the salute with a curt nod.
"At ease. Show me the keel."
"Right this way, Imperator."
The minister gestured, turning on his heel as his gathered engineers and technicians scrambled to follow.
My Death Squad moved in perfect synchronization, splitting into two columns as they flanked me, their presence an unspoken reminder of the Imperium's unyielding discipline.
Lupa trotted beside me, her golden eyes scanning the nervous dockworkers, some of whom looked seconds away from fainting at the sight of the armored war beast.
The dockyards were a hive of activity. Massive steel plates, some larger than buildings, were being carefully maneuvered into position, riveters and welders sending showers of sparks cascading through the air as the skeletal frame of a warship began to take form.
The minister led me to a long, open construction bay where the first 122 meters long submarine keel had already been laid down.
Engineers swarmed the frame, measuring, cutting, and welding as the vessel's skeleton slowly took shape.
"Imperator,"
The minister began, motioning toward the vessel.
"This is the first of our new submarines. Model U1, based on acquired schematics and our own design modifications. Once completed, it will be fully capable of both coastal defense and commerce raiding."
I stepped closer, inspecting the steel framework, running a hand over the reinforced plating. "What's the estimated completion time?"
The lead engineer, a wiry man with thick rimmed glasses, quickly consulted his clipboard.
"The keel was laid down a week ago. If production continues at its current pace, the first operational unit will be launched within may. Ofcourse that as long as we dont build or acquire additional dockyards"
I nodded, my mind already calculating logistics.
"And weapon systems?"
The engineer adjusted his glasses, flipping through schematics.
"For now the U1 will be armed with six 533 mm torpedo tubes and a deck mounted double barreled 20 mm cannon for surface engagements. It will also feature a high speed walter engine which although consumes fuel like a beast Is simply a technological marvel."
The Minister of the Navy interjected, a hint of excitement creeping into his voice.
"With these submarines, Imperator, we will finally be able to challenge enemy supply lines. No longer will we be bound to defensive positions; we will strike from the shadows, cutting off their lifelines before they even reach our shores."