The Hilling Imperium's expedition dropped a massive bomb into the relatively tranquil lake of the universe, and the resulting shockwaves swiftly swept through every faction across the star sea.
The name "Hilling Imperium," accompanied by news of Destruction and conquest, spread unstoppably through every level of cosmic civilization.
Survivors of the wars had no shortage of words to describe its terror—their fleets were numerous enough to fill the stars and blot out the light of suns; their firepower could destroy planets in an instant; and their warriors were invincible, whether facing frail flesh or sturdy war machines, all of it was as fragile as paper before them.
One remote interstellar civilization after another, pirate enclaves, and small nations that had once struggled to survive in the cracks between greater powers either chose submission beneath the efficient and ruthless blades of the Imperium's legions, becoming part of that cold, rigorously ordered "Order Sequence," or were reduced to cosmic dust beneath the devastating bombardment of Imperial fleets, with even the traces of their existence utterly erased.
This almost insane method of expansion finally drew the attention of the universe's powerful factions.
The Kree Empire, a vast interstellar civilization known for military expansion and extreme nationalism, had its Supreme Wisdom repeatedly calculating the threat level posed by the newly emerged "Hilling Imperium." Military deployments originally aimed at Xandar and the Nova Corps were forced to adjust, with vast numbers of fleets sent to border starfields adjoining Hilling territory in preparation for a direct confrontation.
Meanwhile, the Shi'ar Empire's empress also convened an emergency meeting.
They placed greater importance on interstellar peace, and the council proposed sending envoys to mediate. Yet the Hilling Imperium's pure, undisguised model of conquest by force also filled them with deep unease.
Diplomatic probing and covert intelligence-gathering were elevated