Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Rex reached out and flicked through the images, scanning each one carefully until his finger froze over a particular video feed. The footage was grainy, obscured by the thick mist that blanketed the planet's surface.

But through the haze, something massive loomed. Dim red lights pulsed through the fog, shifting as the shape moved. It was hard to make out any clear details, but there was no mistaking its sheer scale. Whatever it was, it was huge.

"Hold on… what is that?" Rex asked while enlarging the screen.

Cleo's eyes narrowed as she analyzed the footage. "I don't have enough data to determine its exact nature, but I can tell you one thing... it's not a native creature. Judging by its structure and movement patterns, it's an artificial construct. A machine."

She swiped through additional images, revealing different angles of the hulking figure obscured by mist. Each frame offered a slightly clearer view, but the creature or machine remained enigmatic, its purpose and capabilities a mystery.

Rex exhaled slowly while running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just what we need... another mystery threat in an already dangerous place."

He leaned back against Cleo's lap while staring at the ceiling in thought before glancing at her again. "What about the native creatures? You mentioned them before. If we're heading there, I'd rather not go in blind. Learned my lesson the hard way with that Tier 4 bastard."

Cleo's fingers stilled for a moment as she pulled up yet another set of data files. The screens shifted, displaying a series of biological scans and environmental readings. The images were unsettling, vaguely humanoid shapes with elongated limbs, glowing eyes, and skin that seemed to shimmer like the mist itself.

"That," she murmured, her voice low and measured, "is where things get even more complicated."

Rex raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Complicated how?"

Cleo zoomed in on one of the scans, highlighting a peculiar energy signature emanating from the creatures.

"The native lifeforms on the Mist Planet are… unique. They're not just predators or territorial beasts. They're symbiotic with the planet's environment, drawing energy directly from the mist. Their biology is intertwined with the planet's ecosystem in ways I've never seen before. And if provoked…"

She trailed off, her gaze distant, as if recalling something she'd rather forget. Rex sat up fully now, his expression serious. "If provoked, what?"

Cleo met his eyes, her golden irises gleaming with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. "If provoked, they become something else entirely. They merge with the mist, becoming nearly invisible, and their strength increases exponentially. They're not just dangerous; they're unpredictable."

"And if we're going to the Mist Planet, we'll need to be prepared for more than just a machine lurking in the fog."

Rex leaned back while letting out a low whistle. "So, let me get this straight. We've got a planet covered in mist that's basically alive, native creatures that can turn into nightmare fuel at the drop of a hat, and a giant mystery machine that might be a war asset from your people. Did I miss anything?"

Cleo's lips twitched with the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corners. "Not to mention the possibility of other factions already being there, drawn by the same technology."

Rex groaned while running a hand over his face. "Of course. Why wouldn't there be? This just keeps getting better and better."

Cleo's fingers returned to his hair, her touch soothing despite the weight of her words. "We'll need a plan. A detailed one. And we'll need to move quickly, before someone else does."

Rex nodded, his mind already racing through possibilities. "Alright. First thing tomorrow, we gather the team and start prepping. But for now…" He glanced up at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're staying right here. No more lab, no more all-nighters. Deal?"

Cleo hesitated, her gaze flickering to the holo-screens still floating around them. But then she sighed, a rare concession in her usually rigid demeanor. "Deal."

Rex grinned while settling back against her lap. "Good. Now, keep doing that thing with your fingers. I could get used to this."

Cleo rolled her eyes, but her fingers resumed their gentle movements, the tension in the room easing ever so slightly.

Rex exhaled slowly, his breath a quiet ripple in the stillness of the room. His eyes remained closed, his head resting heavily against Cleo's lap. The warmth of her legs beneath him was a soothing anchor, and the rhythmic motion of her fingers combing through his hair was almost hypnotic, pulling him toward the edge of sleep.

"So…" he murmured, his voice thick with drowsiness, "what's the plan for the Mist Planet? What's your strategy?"

Cleo's fingers didn't falter. They moved with the same precision she applied to her battle plans, methodical and deliberate, as if even this simple act were part of some grander calculation.
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"We're taking the full fleet," she said, her tone steady, "but we'll leave Carlos' Dreadnought and an aircraft carrier behind to guard the planet. Pirates have been getting bolder lately. Combined with the station's defense systems and the Aegis units on standby, it should be enough to hold them off."

Rex let out a lazy yawn, his body sinking deeper into the comfort of her touch. "Mmm… taking the whole fleet, huh? So we're doing the same thing we did on the Necrotech World?"

"Affirmative," Cleo replied, her voice crisp. "But this time, the moment the first drop pod hits the surface, the noise will draw the mist creatures. It won't be a clean invasion; it'll be chaos from the start."

With a flick of her wrist, a holo-screen materialized in the air, its surface alive with streams of data and complex calculations. "Once we establish a defensive perimeter," she continued, "we'll immediately begin constructing factories for vehicles, fortifications, and soldier deployment facilities."

Rex cracked one eye open, squinting at the glowing display. "Sounds solid," he said with his voice tinged with skepticism. "But it also sounds expensive. And knowing you, I'm guessing you don't plan on hiring outside trading companies to handle the logistics, do you?"

For a moment, Cleo paused. It wasn't often that Rex's growing grasp of long-term strategies caught her off guard, but this time, she couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Correct," she said, her voice laced with a rare hint of amusement. "But don't worry about that. I've already secured several mining stations and independent companies for the resources we need. As for trade routes… I've got that covered too. I'll be using my own four trading fleets. Two will supply the frontlines while the other two continue generating revenue."

Rex frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. "Wait… you never mentioned that before. Who's leading the convoys?"

Cleo's expression turned smug, her golden eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Each convoy is commanded by a Tyrant-Class Heavy Infantry unit, supported by 200 to 300 Aegis units for security. Pirates won't stand a chance, not with that level of firepower."

Rex let out a low chuckle while shaking his head. "Tyrants, huh? Last time I checked, they weren't exactly the diplomatic type… Are you sure they're the best choice for handling trade negotiations?"

At that, Cleo flicked his forehead with a sharp, deliberate motion.

"Ow—what was that for?" Rex winced while rubbing the spot where her finger had struck.

Cleo's gaze was sharp, her golden eyes piercing through his feigned innocence. "Don't act like you don't know," she said, her voice cool but tinged with amusement. "You think I wouldn't figure out that you installed the Rex Virus into them?"

Rex immediately averted his eyes, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Cough, cough—I have no idea what you're talking about."

Cleo smirked since she was clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Nice try," she said while leaning in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "These new Tyrant units have that virus embedded in their code. So don't act surprised."

Rex let out a defeated sigh while raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But still… do you have any footage of one of these 'successful' trade negotiations? I want to see how well they're actually doing."

Cleo's smirk widened, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "Of course," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Let's take a look, shall we?"

With a wave of her hand, a new holo-screen flickered to life, its surface shimmering with the promise of having something entertaining on it.

The holo-screen shimmered into existence while casting a soft glow across the room. The footage was crisp and clear, showing a bustling spaceport teeming with activity.

Massive cargo ships loomed in the background, their hulls gleaming under the harsh artificial light of the docking bay. Workers in exosuits moved with mechanical precision, loading and unloading crates onto conveyor belts that snaked through the port like metallic veins.

But the focal point of the scene was impossible to miss, a towering Tyrant-Class Heavy Infantry unit with its hulking frame clad in matte-black armor that seemed to absorb the light around it. The unit stood at the center of the port, its presence commanding immediate attention.

Rex leaned forward, his drowsiness forgotten as he watched the scene unfold. "Alright, let's see how this plays out."

The camera zoomed in on the Tyrant as a group of traders approached. Their leader was a wiry man with a sharp suit and a sharper smile. He gestured animatedly, clearly trying to negotiate terms.

The Tyrant's response was immediate, with a deep, synthesized voice rumbling through the feed, cutting through the noise of the port.

[Terms non-negotiable. Payment upfront. No exceptions.]