Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Seizing the opportunity. He pushed the gunboat's throttle forward, maneuvering the vessel into the gap created by the crashing fleet ship. The vessel surged forward, the engines straining as it weaved dangerously close to the wreckage.

The heat from the explosion roared around them, flames licking at the gunboat's shields as they skimmed just above the disintegrating hull of the massive ship.

Ys tightened her hold around Rex's neck with a glint of excitement in her eyes as they sped through the inferno.

"Darling, you really know how to make an escape dramatic,"

she whispered with a playful smile dancing on her lips.

Rex didn't respond; his focus was absolute. Just as they passed the broken midpoint of the collapsing fleet ship, its space fuel storage ignited, detonating in a burst of blinding white light.

The resulting shockwave surged outward, a tidal wave of pressure and fire that sent the remaining Khryssari scattering like leaves in a storm. The gunboat shuddered violently, caught in the edge of the blast, but held firm, its shields flaring bright as they absorbed the brunt of the impact.

From the surface, all that could be seen was a towering column of fire and smoke, a beacon of chaos visible for kilometers. But from within that wall of flame, the gunboat burst out, a small but defiant silhouette against the blaze, engines roaring as it climbed toward the stars.

Rex took a deep breath. His muscles tensed as he pushed the ship to its limit, breaking free of the atmosphere and heading for the cold void of space. The roar of flames gave way to the silence of the stars, and only then did he allow himself a moment to breathe, sweat slick on his brow.

She relaxed her grip, her eyes shimmering with pride and something more like admiration.

"You did it, darling. Now... where to next?"

"What do you mean, 'where next?' Can't you see the war right there in front of—"

Rex stopped mid-sentence, turning around to look at the supposed battlefield. And then he froze, his mouth hanging open as the sight registered.

Right there, in what should have been the heart of the allied fleet, there was nothing but twisted, scattered debris. Ships that had once formed an unstoppable armada, capable of taking on the hive mind fleet head-to-head, were now reduced to floating metal scraps.

And in the middle of it all, looming like some ancient nightmare, was a massive black sphere with jagged, horn-like spires.

It was enormous, easily fifteen kilometers across with spines jutting out in every direction like some demonic starfish. Its surface was dark, almost bone-like, covered in deep cracks that glowed with a sickly green light.

"Ys..."

Rex managed, barely above a whisper.

"Hmm? What's the matter, darling?"

Ys replied, still hanging onto his neck, as if they weren't floating in the middle of a battlefield graveyard.

"So... what exactly is that thing I'm looking at?

" Rex pointed at the monstrous sphere with a shaky finger.

"Oh, that? That's just my Aunt Kragnarok,"

Ys said casually.

"Planet Devourer. Though, if it helps you understand, think of it as a supercapital ship. Auntie's piloting it right now, and... well, I know you're strong, darling, but let's just say you're not quite in her league. So please, don't do anything... silly,"

she added, poking his cheek with a smirk.

"How dumb do you think I am, Ys? No way am I picking a fight with that thing! We're like a flea compared to it. Heck, we're probably less than a flea."

Rex was already flipping switches, preparing to activate the wormhole device.

"Let's just get out of here!"

But then his eyes went wide.

"Oh crap… Carlos! Ys, hang on. We have to go back to the planet and find Carlos!"

Before he could turn the ship around, Ys placed a small yet surprisingly strong hand on his shoulder.

"Relax, darling,"

she said, almost laughing.

"He's already resting on the second floor. I had the medical bots take care of him while you were off fighting that Khryssaris champion. Honestly, you're welcome."

Rex exhaled a huge sigh of relief.

"Thank you, really. For a second there, I thought I'd left him down there. I'd never hear the end of it if I did something that stupid."

Ys grinned.

"Oh, I'm sure he'd find a way to haunt you forever."

"Alright, enough of this place,"

Rex said, setting the coordinates.

"I've had my fill of Khryssaris and desert planets. Next stop, I want somewhere with casinos. And bars. Lots of bars."

With that, the ship jumped into the wormhole, leaving the eerie battlefield and Ys's terrifying aunt far behind.

It took them hours to finally exit the wormhole, and when they emerged, the sprawling commercial planet of Nakor filled the viewscreen.

Rex leaned back in his seat, grinning from ear to ear as he threw his hands up in mock celebration.

"Home, sweet home!"

he shouted, practically vibrating with relief.

Nakor looked as lively as ever, a planet-sized hub of commerce and chaos, lit up by the constant flicker of ship engines and city lights.

But just beyond the planet, something else caught his eye—a new fleet, enormous and gleaming, assembling in tight formations. Rex squinted at it, shaking his head with a smirk.

"Good luck, fellas,"

he muttered.

"I hope you're ready for what's on the other side, 'cause trust me, it ain't pretty."

Even though this new fleet looked like a legendary armada from an old storybook, Rex knew it would barely be a speed bump against the Hive Mind's supercapital ship.

Without a fleet of their own supercapitals, they were marching straight into a meat grinder.

But then he grinned, a little wickedly.

"Although... the longer Nexum Dynamics is busy playing hero against the Khryssari, the safer I am. Who knew a galactic invasion could be so... convenient?"

While Rex chuckled to himself, Ys was quietly transmitting away telepathically, sending detailed reports of the fleet's movements straight to her aunt. She gave Rex a sidelong glance, smiling sweetly, though there was a glint in her eye.

Sure, she'd never do anything to harm Rex, but the rest of the galaxy? Fair game. By giving her aunt a heads-up, she was making sure the Hive Mind had a warm welcome ready for these wannabe heroes. Two birds with one very big, deadly stone.

Finally, Rex's gunboat began its descent toward Nakor's underground city. As they descended level by level, heading for the fifth floor where the residential areas were, he looked out over the cityscape in awe.

The place had only grown since he'd last been here. Towering structures sprawled in every direction, linked by massive cargo tubes and neon-lit bridges. Ships and cargo drones zipped through the air like a swarm of angry bees, weaving around patrol drones and each other with shocking precision, or at least, reckless speed.

"Wow, the place is really booming,"

Rex muttered, watching the bustle below. It seemed like everywhere he looked, something was moving.

Hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets, some headed for the commercial zones, others milling around food vendors, while the occasional Aegis patrol wove through the crowds like stiff-lipped chaperones trying to keep order at a rowdy carnival.

He gave a low whistle. "

All this is just for a bunch of credits. You'd think they were giving away gold bars down there."

Ys chuckled, resting her chin on his shoulder.

"Oh, they are, if you know where to look."

As the gunboat slipped into its docking space, Rex took one last look out at Nakor's thriving underground city and cracked his knuckles

. "Alright, time to get back into the chaos. But first, I need a drink. A big one."

As Rex's battered vessel touched down in the private landing zone, Emilia was already waiting with a group of maid bots standing in neat rows.

She watched him step out of the ship, covered in scrapes and bruises, his once-formidable armor now little more than a few broken scraps clinging to him like sad, defeated badges.

Emilia's eyes went wide.

"Quickly, summon the medical bots and notify the Golden Hospital to prepare the private ward Lady Cleo set up,"

she barked at the maid bots, her voice sharp and urgent. She moved so quickly that even Rex had to raise an eyebrow.

"Easy there, Emi,"

he said, flashing her a grin.

"I'm not as bad off as I look. Most of this is just... dramatic effect."

He gestured to his shredded armor with a laugh.

"But if you're setting up rooms, make sure Carlos gets one too. He's the one who really took a beating. Though don't worry, his bald head is still shining like a new credit chip."

Rex gave her a thumbs up, trying to lighten the mood.

Emilia nodded, but Rex noticed her hands gripping her maid skirt so tightly her knuckles were turning white. She was worried, and she was trying hard not to show it. He sighed softly, feeling a pang of guilt.

"Alright then,"

he said, turning to the medical bots who had gathered around him.

"I'll head to the hospital. Emi, can you take care of Ys? She's passed out in the cockpit. Give her a comfortable place to rest."

With that, he let the bots and a pair of Aegis units escort him to a civilian transport ship that was just large enough to accommodate his bruised frame without bumping his head.

After a short flight, the transport ship touched down on the Golden Hospital's exclusive landing pad. The moment the doors slid open, a small army of professionals was already assembled. Four doctors in pristine uniforms, several nurses, and even a few guards waited in perfect formation were clearly expecting some high-ranking VIP or dignitary to step out of the craft.