415: The combat storyline of EVE has begun.

(All existing and future retcons or forgotten settings, as well as temporary timeline misalignments that will merge later—all these faults lie with Aha, don't blame me, ha ha~)

Star Calendar Year 150, New Eden.

Nearly twenty years have passed since Star Calendar Year 130, which marked the beginning of the "Silent Era" with the event known as the Wisdom Curse Incident.

For New Eden, these twenty years were an era of relative tranquility, yet filled with hidden undercurrents.

Relying on the absolute military advantage provided by the Revelation-class Dreadnoughts, which were first built in the Late Stage of the "Chaos War," the Amarr Empire firmly secured its dominant position in the post-war structure, controlling New Eden's most fertile Central Star Zone and Southwestern Star Domain, becoming the undisputed hegemon.

In the subsequent division of power and resources, the Amarr Empire seized the largest share of the pie, thanks to its formidable military strength and first-mover advantage.

Its national strength, military power, and technological capabilities further widened the gap between it and the other five major powers: the Gallente Federation, the Caldari State, the Minmatar Republic, the Earth Federation, and the Human Union.

However, absolute power is not eternal.

The passage of time heals wounds, but also breeds new ambitions.

During the twenty years of peace, or rather, forced armistice, although the Amarr Empire remained powerful, the other five major powers did not simply wait for doom.

They focused on development, struggling to restore their Origin Qi by utilizing the limited trade and technological exchanges that the Amarr Empire permitted to maintain the "peaceful" situation.

The Gallente Federation gradually restored some of its military strength through its deep technological foundation and revitalized industrial capacity. The Caldari State, relying on its shrewd business acumen, secured a place in the economic and intelligence Domain.

Although the Minmatar Republic had a relatively weak industrial base, its flexible guerrilla tactics and tenacious national character made it a force that could not be underestimated.

The Earth Federation and the Human Union struggled to maintain their existence and limited development in the cracks.

The leaders of the five major powers all understood that the Amarr Empire's hegemony was built upon the terrifying deterrent of the Revelation-class Dreadnoughts.

As long as this generational gap advantage existed, they would forever be subservient.

What made them even more uneasy was the growing evidence that the reclusive and increasingly mysterious Emma Empress Kaediz seemed to be leading research that could further widen the military technology gap.

Rumor had it that Empress Kaediz possessed a unique Physique that protected her from the Wisdom Curse. It was also rumored that this might be related to the legacy of the Delta Civilization she acquired during her time in the Earth Federation.

It was precisely through the exclusive control over the Delta Civilization's technological legacy and this Physique that she was able to push the Amarr Empire's technology tree to repeatedly Break through Bottlenecks with astonishing efficiency.

The terror of the Revelation-class Dreadnoughts was still fresh in memory. No one wanted to see the Amarr Empire acquire another "Ultimate Weapon" capable of completely crushing all opponents.

A deep sense of crisis, like a spreading plague, quietly circulated among the high-ranking officials of the five major powers.

They couldn't wait any longer! They had to stop her! At the very least, they needed to interrupt the Amarr Empire's technological ascent and buy precious time for themselves!

A secret Alliance formed in the shadows.

After meticulous and ruthless planning, a bold, insane, yet possibly the only chance, plan took shape.

Launch a suicide attack targeting Empress Kaediz herself during the launch ceremony of the Amarr Empire's newest generation of supercarrier, the "Vanguard-class"!

The capital planet of the Amarr Empire, Damtursam, Royal Main Starport.

On this day, the skies of Damtursam were spectacularly decorated. Massive holographic projections cast the Imperial Emblem and the majestic silhouette of the Vanguard-class Supercarrier outside the atmosphere, as the solemn Imperial Anthem echoed through the heavens.

On the magnificent Starport Viewing Platform, banners fluttered and dignitaries gathered.

Almost all important officials of the Empire, military generals, representatives of vassal states, and invited "friendly" faction observers were in place. The air was thick with a mixture of pride and ostentation.

All eyes were focused on the center of the viewing platform, under the high canopy guarded by layers of elite Royal Guards.

Emma Empress Kaediz, dressed in an elaborate and solemn Imperial Robe and wearing a dazzling Imperial Crown, had her face obscured behind a beaded curtain, making it difficult to see clearly. However, the aura of supreme authority enveloped the entire venue.

She was about to unveil this new flagship, which symbolized the Empire's supreme glory and military might.

The ceremony proceeded as planned. The Imperial Navy Marshal delivered a passionate speech, praising the Empress's wisdom and the Empire's might. The massive Dry Dock Gates were slowly opening, and the mountainous bow of the first Vanguard-class vessel was faintly visible.

Just at this moment of universal attention, as the atmosphere was about to reach its peak, the attack began.

A frigate belonging to the Imperial Customs, which was originally performing patrol duties in the Starport's outer airspace, suddenly deviated from its planned route without warning.

Its overloaded engines burst forth with blinding blue light, and like an out-of-control mad dog, it hurtled toward the viewing platform in a suicidal frenzy, ready to crash!

"Alert! Unidentified vessel impacting the flight path!"

"Runaway vessel! Code identification... unable to identify!"

"Stop it! Stop it now!"

The communication channels were instantly filled with panicked shouts and piercing alarms. The Starport's Point-Defense Turrets rapidly turned, firing dense beams of light like a torrential rain onto the runaway frigate.

However, it was too late, the distance was too short!

This frigate had clearly undergone extreme modifications. Its armor was reinforced, its engines overloaded, and it did not have the standard Eggman Neural Link System installed.

In other words, the ship was being piloted by a living person. This also meant they had no electronic means to stop the attack via the ship or the pilot themselves.

In New Eden, the capital ships of major powers are generally equipped with the Eggman System. This set of Systems not only enhances warship performance but also deeply integrates friend-or-foe identification and security monitoring.

The attacking vessel exploited this "backward" characteristic; relying purely on manual piloting, it minimized its electronic signature, successfully evading the deep scanning and locking of the automated security System at the start, only revealing its deadly fangs at the last moment.

The Royal Guards' interceptor ships attempted to block it, but their hasty interception proved futile against a suicide attack vessel that completely disregarded its own safety, concentrating all its energy on shields and speed.

"Boom!!!"

A blinding flash, accompanied by a deafening roar, swept across the entire viewing platform.

The frigate slammed hard into the Energy Shield protecting the outer side of the viewing platform. The shield flickered violently and shattered in less than a second.

Subsequently, the wreckage of the warship, carrying immense kinetic energy, smashed like a meteorite into the core area of the viewing platform.

Explosions, flying metal fragments, terrified screams, desperate shouts... all of this instantly transformed the previously solemn and festive venue into a bloody, human Hell.

When the smoke slightly cleared, a massive gap had been torn in the viewing platform, and the area near the impact point was reduced to ruins, with heavy casualties.

The Royal Guards frantically rushed toward the position of the central canopy.

The area where Empress Kaediz was located had been completely engulfed by the explosion and shockwave.

The canopy had collapsed, and the soldiers guarding her were either dead or injured. When the Guard Captain rushed desperately into the ruins, pushing aside twisted metal and debris, the sight he beheld tore at his heart.

The Empress lay in a pool of blood, her Imperial Crown rolled nearby, and her magnificent Imperial Robe was soaked in blood. Her face was deathly pale, and her breath was weak, but incredibly, she seemed to retain a sliver of consciousness, her fingers moving slightly as if trying to grasp something.

A faint Energy Field, like a final barrier, enveloped her, which might be the reason she managed to survive the devastating impact.

"Your Majesty the Empress!" The Guard Captain's voice was hoarse. He immediately organized his most trusted confidants to move the severely injured Empress as quickly as possible and issued the strictest gag order.

Inside a secret Safe Room deep within the Imperial Palace in Damtursam, the atmosphere was as heavy as lead.

The Empire's top Medical Team and Biotechnica experts had been performing emergency resuscitation on the Empress for hours.

Outside the medical room, several of the Empire's core power ministers, including the Imperial Prime Minister, the Minister of Military Affairs, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Commander of the Royal Guards, waited with grim expressions.

Their faces were a mixture of shock, anger, and a hint of fear.

Finally, the door to the medical room opened, and the Chief Imperial Physician walked out, looking extremely distressed.

"Your Majesty's life has been temporarily saved," the Imperial Physician said dryly, "but the brain tissue damage caused by the impact is extremely severe. Her Majesty was conscious for a brief period, but after whispering a few words to the Imperial Princess, she fell into a deep coma."

"As for when she might wake up, I cannot predict."

Silence, a deathly silence.

"Investigate!" the Minister of Military Affairs was the first to explode, his eyes burning with fury. "A thorough investigation! I want to know who did this!"

"Spare no one involved!"

"It's too late," the Minister of Internal Affairs said coldly. "No one survived on the attacking vessel, and all recording equipment was physically destroyed. Monitoring in the relevant Starport areas was also subjected to a virus attack."

"The enemy did a remarkably clean job."

Although there was no concrete evidence, everyone present knew the truth clearly.

The only ones with the capability, motive, and means to exploit the loopholes in the Empire's security System to launch this attack could be the five factions that were outwardly subservient but secretly restless.

This was a long-planned conspiracy; this was an open declaration of war!

Just then, the inner door of the medical room opened again, and a figure slowly stepped out.

It was the Imperial Princess, Kaediz Empress's only daughter, Kanidis.

She looked as if she had only recently come of age, with a hint of youthfulness still on her face. But at this moment, her eyes, which were strikingly similar to her mother's, were filled with a maturity of resolve and calmness that belied her age.

She had clearly been crying, with tear stains still visible, but her back was perfectly straight.

She walked up to the ministers, her gaze sweeping over each grim face.

"Gentlemen, I am aware of Mother's condition."

She took a deep breath and continued: "Now is not the time for grief or panic. The Empire needs stability, and it needs someone to take charge. Mother entrusted me with instructions before she fell into a coma."

The ministers exchanged glances. They knew the Empress had indeed been grooming the Imperial Princess, but she had never explicitly named a Regent.

However, at this crucial moment for the Empire's survival, the Imperial Princess's demeanor and Bloodline were undoubtedly the most stabilizing choice.

The Imperial Prime Minister was the first to bow: "Your Highness, what are your intentions?"

Imperial Princess Kanidis's gaze turned icy as she looked out the window, as if she could pierce through the palace walls and see the enemies hidden in the Star Domain.

"Announce publicly that Her Majesty the Empress needs a period of rest due to extreme shock. All affairs of the Empire will temporarily be administered by me, Kanidis, in my capacity as Imperial Princess."

Her voice suddenly grew cold, carrying a chilling frost.

"And the foremost priority now is to uncover the truth behind this attack and inflict the most thorough and merciless retribution upon the Mastermind who dared to challenge the Empire's dignity!"

"The wrath of the Empire must be appeased with blood!"

In this moment, the young Imperial Princess seemed to have grown up overnight.

Her Coronation Ceremony had no flowers or cheers, only ruins and blood. And the Star Domain of New Eden was thus destined to be ignited once more.