1 Prologue

Paladins, the future of humanity.

It all started when the first contact with intelligent life off human conquered space was established. The aliens had reacted in a much more violent manner than what humanity had suspected.

The first waves of alien invaders came like a swarm of locusts, attacking the human colonies on the peripheral planets of humanity. When they were finally taken care of, humanity was already pushed back to only Earth and Mars.

Then came the second wave.

Massive, horrifying alien motherships appeared at the edge of the solar system, and with their superior technology, it did not take them long to reach the inner system.

The battle was long and hard, but relying on the defensive fortifications that had been quickly built after the initial attack of the aliens, humanity managed to hold the aliens at bay.

Humanity's greatest scientists studied the technologies of the fallen alien spaceships and other devices, and were able to make many more ground breaking innovations. New starships that were equipped with the newly created 'warp drive' began appearing. These warp drives were capable of carrying a starship through the 'higher dimensions', where space was folded onto a compound level that allowed a starship with an activated warp drive to travel at superluminal speeds!

Humanity's space combat tactics also underwent a revolution. Much better weapons that packed a lot of punch and were much more advanced were created, ranging from massive rail guns that were built on moons to larger spacefaring warships that could trade blow for blow with the alien warships.

The most recent innovation came in the form of the Paladins.

The Paladins were highly advanced creations of science that had come about through a more radical experiment by one of humanity's leading scientists, Doctor Harvard Stewart.

The man was a mad scientist in every essence of the word, having spearheaded the research into more powerful versions of warp drives and highly advanced energy cannons that were capable of wiping out an entire continent.

"Today, we shall forge our first Paladin!" He had announced when the first Paladin was about to be created.

A trained soldier was floating in a test tube in the middle of an enclosed, reinforced testing chamber. Next to him was another empty, but much larger and wider test tube. Many mechanical components were present in that test tube.

When the go ahead was given, Doctor Stewart hit the button to begin the process. Electrical currents passed through the liquid that suspended the soldier, jolting him to the core. The mechanical components in the other tube also began to move and shake.

A black, liquid-like substance poured into the test tube. The black substance had a metallic sheen to it, and the moment it interacted with certain substances that had been extracted from the soldier in the other test tube, it began to move of its own volition, piling on top of itself to create a form that stood out.

Before long, a humanoid shape that was about seven meters tall was formed out of that substance. Its features became more and more defined until the process was finished.

At the end of the lengthy but awe inspiring process, the black substance shifted and squirmed, before finally solidifying and changing color.

A bright yellow, seven meter tall, mechanical contraption was left standing in the larger test tube. Its general features and contours greatly resembled that of the soldier in the smaller test tube!

"The Paladin Project is a success!" Doctor Stewart exclaimed with clenched fists. His eyes were burning with fervent, scientific madness as he stared at the giant, yellow creation, codenamed 'Paladin' that they had created.

The Paladin was tailor made for the soldier that would be piloting it. Even if it was destroyed, all they needed to do was to direct more resources to the pilot of the Paladin in order to restore it to prime condition.

"Congratulations, Doctor." A decorated military officer turned to face the ecstatic scientist and extended a hand.

"Yes, yes! Thank you, Admiral Gustavo. I would have never been able to progress with the Paladin Project if you had not backed me up!" Doctor Stewart said without even turning to acknowledge the Admiral's handshake.

Admiral Gustavo felt slightly irked at being brushed off, but he had learnt that Doctor Stewart did not care too much about certain manners. He just put his hand away before turning back to watch the soldier that was just coming to.

Soon, the liquid in the test tube was drained, and the soldier stepped out. He felt a bit drowsy and tired, but nothing else. He turned to look at the massive metallic creation in the next tube with awe in his eyes.

"Congratulations, soldier." Admiral Gustavo boomed as he bounced into the room. The soldier quickly straightened his back and saluted. "At ease." Gustavo waved down the soldier as he too took a good, long look at the technological marvel.

"Thank you, sir!" The soldier put down his hand, but did not relax at all. Admiral Gustavo was one of the most powerful humans in existence, and commanded an entire fleet of immense power to fight back against the aliens.

"Let it be known from today onwards, that Humanity shall conquer all enemies!" Admiral Gustavo pounded his fist against his chest, and all the soldiers present did the same, while shouting out.