Intergalactic conquest with an AI

After a few hours, they exited the factory and boarded their transport ship once again. The four Wraith fighters took formation around them as they set course for the next destination.

Rex leaned back in his seat, glancing over at Cleo with a smirk.

"So, off to the black market now, huh? You know, I've always wanted to see what kind of shady deals go down in these places."

Cleo gave him a cool, amused look

. "Try to contain yourself, Rex. This is business, not entertainment."

"

Business can be entertaining, especially with you around,"

he replied, grinning.

Cleo just rolled her eyes, but he could tell by the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth that she was holding back a smile. As the ship sped toward the underground black market, Rex couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.

After a few minutes weaving through the bustling 4th floor of the underground city, their ship finally touched down at the VIP landing zone of the black market.

The landing area wasn't huge, but it was more than spacious enough to accommodate several VIP civilian ships, each sleek and ostentatious in its own right.

The whole zone was tightly controlled, with patrols of the underground city's police keeping a watchful eye on every corner. It was clear to anyone with a brain that trying to steal one of these ships would be a one-way ticket to getting vaporized. The underground city's defenses were notoriously unforgiving.

But even among the VIP ships, the arrival of Rex and Cleo's transport drew immediate attention. Heads turned, conversations faltered, and eyes followed as their ship descended, flanked by four deadly Wraith fighters.

It wasn't every day a vessel arrived with that kind of high-powered escort, and the guards stationed around the most secure landing pad stood at attention.

Waiting just outside the ship was an entourage of bot maids and black market representatives, all dressed in sleek uniforms, eager to greet their prestigious guests.

When the ship's doors finally opened, the spectacle continued. A procession of Aegis units emerged first, stepping out in perfect formation, followed by a line of bot maids who quickly took their positions along the path.

And then, with all eyes riveted on the ramp, Rex appeared, tall, handsome, and dressed in a sharp white suit adorned with subtle gold accents. He exuded an easy confidence, his gaze sweeping over the onlookers with the faintest hint of amusement.

But the real showstopper was Cleo. As she stepped out, an audible gasp rippled through the crowd. She moved with regal elegance, her long, white dress flowing around her like liquid starlight.

The dress hugged her figure just enough to hint at her curves, while her doll-like face, framed by jet-black hair, looked almost otherworldly in its beauty. But it was her wings that truly stunned the crowd, immaculate, feathered, and glowing softly with a golden light. She looked like a deity who had somehow deigned to walk among mortals.

Rex noticed the stares and leaned close, his voice a low murmur only she could hear.

"I think I'm getting jealous already. I don't like how everyone's looking at you. Maybe I should poke their eyes out."

Without missing a beat, Cleo placed her hand in his, accustomed by now to his possessive grip.

"I told you not to say anything rude before we arrived, Rex,"

she replied, her tone as icy and controlled as ever.

Rex clicked his tongue, giving her a playful smirk. "

Fine, I'll play nice. Behold, my most elegant form."

He struck an exaggerated pose, lifting his chin and adopting the expression of a snobby aristocrat.

Cleo glanced at him, barely suppressing an eye roll.

"Just… try to act normal,"

she sighed, though she couldn't entirely hide the glint of amusement in her gaze.

They made their way down the ramp together, hand in hand, their every step drawing the gaze of every onlooker around them. The representatives and guards stationed nearby straightened as the pair approached, bowing deeply in respect.

The black market's representative, a tall man in a dark, finely tailored suit stepped forward, his face composed but his eyes wide with awe as he took in the sight of Cleo. He cleared his throat and offered a deep bow.

"Lady Cleo, Sir Rex. Welcome to the grand opening of the black market. We are deeply honored to have you with us tonight."

Rex gave him a slow nod, doing his best impression of a wealthy, arrogant aristocrat, while Cleo inclined her head gracefully in response.

"Thank you for the warm welcome,"

she said coolly. "

We look forward to seeing what tonight's auction has to offer."

With that, the representative led them through a grand set of double doors, and the buzz of whispers followed in their wake. Cleo's presence was magnetic, and Rex found himself savoring the attention, even if half of it was directed at her. He kept her hand firmly in his, a subtle reminder to everyone watching that she was, in a way, already claimed.

As they entered the main hall, filled with opulent decor and an array of rare artifacts on display, Rex leaned in again, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"So... what do you think? Did I manage to behave myself?"

Cleo gave him a sidelong glance.

"Barely. But I suppose that's the best I can hope for with you."

He chuckled, tightening his grip on her hand just a little. "

You wouldn't have it any other way."

And though she didn't respond, the slightest hint of a smile softened her expression as they walked deeper into the black market, ready for whatever the night had in store.

"Sir Rex, Lady Cleo, this is the VIP chamber we've prepared for you,"

the representative said, opening the door with a practiced flourish.

The room was lavishly decorated, with plush seating and walls lined with intricate gold patterns. To Rex, it looked like something out of a luxury catalog. But Cleo just gave the room a cool glance, clearly unimpressed.

She walked in without hesitation and took a seat, her posture relaxed yet commanding. Rex followed suit, sitting beside her, though he couldn't help but smirk at the way she held herself like she was sitting on a throne.

"These two bot maids will be attending to you for the evening,"

the representative continued smoothly.

"If you see an item you'd like to bid on during the auction, simply use the device between your seats."

"

Understood,"

Cleo replied with a slight nod, her gaze already drifting toward the stage.

"Very well. I'll take my leave now. Enjoy your evening."

The representative gave them a small bow and stepped out, closing the door behind him.

As soon as they were alone, Rex leaned back with a sigh.

"Haaaa, pretending to be a rich guy with a beautiful wife is exhausting."

Cleo's eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as she glanced at him.

"Incorrect. I'm 80% certain the impression you gave was that of a wealthy woman with her... male companion."

Rex's face went through a range of emotions: shock, disbelief, and then indignation.

"W-wait... what? No way. That's impossible, right? Hold on—did you just make a joke? Since when do you joke?"

Cleo looked at him, her face as neutral as ever.

"What joke?"

she replied, her voice as icy as usual. But as she turned her head away, Rex caught the faintest hint of a smile playing at her lips.

He narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, realizing she was indeed learning to mess with him. Instead of reacting, he leaned forward and gently took her chin between his fingers, turning her face back to him. His own face was just inches from hers.

"Well, for the record, I don't mind the idea of being your... 'male toy,'"

he whispered, his voice low and teasing before he released her.

Cleo's expression stayed impassive, but inside, her mind was spinning. She hadn't expected him to turn the tables so easily, and she felt a spark of embarrassment, something she rarely experienced. She thought she was prepared for Rex's impulsiveness, but apparently she was wrong.

Meanwhile, Rex settled back into his seat, looking entirely too pleased with himself, a satisfied grin tugging at his lips. Cleo struggled to regain her composure, her icy exterior hiding the fact that her mind was practically screaming.

Their little moment was interrupted as the lights dimmed in the auction hall, drawing their attention to the stage. A single spotlight illuminated the center, where an elderly gentleman in a sharp black suit and white gloves took his place, a polished baton in his hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"

he began, his voice ringing through the hall,

"we are honored to welcome you all to the first Black Market auction. Before we begin, we would like to extend our gratitude to the ruler of the underground city for making this event possible."

He looked up toward the VIP room, his gaze meeting the one-way glass where Rex and Cleo were seated. Rex offered a lazy wave, though he doubted anyone could see it, while Cleo simply inclined her head in acknowledgment.

"Now, without further ado, let the auction begin!"

The old man tapped his baton, and a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd as the first item was brought to the stage; it was a strange, glimmering artifact encased in glass.

Rex leaned in closer to Cleo, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Think we'll see anything worth buying, or are we just here to show off?"

Cleo raised an eyebrow.

"Depends. Are you planning on bidding on something, or are you just here to play as my male companion'?"

Rex chuckled, unbothered.

"Maybe both. Though if something catches your eye, I'll just have to make sure I win it for you, won't I?"

Cleo gave him a sidelong glance, her lips curving ever so slightly.

"Let's see if you can keep up, then."

The auctioneer's voice echoed across the hall as he began listing off the features of the first item up for bid. As the auction proceeded, Rex found himself more interested in the challenge Cleo had just thrown at him than in anything actually up for sale. Tonight was turning out to be far more intriguing than he'd anticipated.