Intergalactic conquest with an AI

The trader's smile faltered, but he quickly recovered, launching into a rapid-fire spiel about market fluctuations and the value of long-term partnerships. The Tyrant didn't budge. Its glowing golden visor remained fixed on the man, unblinking and unyielding.

[Payment. Upfront.]

The trader's confidence wavered, and he glanced nervously at his companions. One of them stepped forward, a burly figure with a cybernetic arm, and tried to assert dominance. "Listen, tin can, we've been doing this for years. You don't just—"

Before he could finish, the Tyrant's massive hand shot out, grabbing the man by the front of his jacket and lifting him off the ground with terrifying ease. The feed crackled with the sound of the man's choked gasp as the Tyrant leaned in, its voice low and menacing.

[Payment. Upfront. Or leave.]

The trader's leader quickly intervened, waving his hands frantically. "Alright, alright! Upfront it is! No need for violence!"

The Tyrant released the man, who stumbled back while clutching his chest. The leader hastily pulled out a data pad, tapping furiously to transfer the credits. The Tyrant's visor flickered as it processed the transaction, then gave a single nod.

[Transaction complete. Proceed with loading.]

The traders scrambled to comply, their earlier bravado replaced with hurried efficiency. The Tyrant stood watch, its imposing figure a silent reminder of who was in charge.

Rex let out a low whistle while leaning back against Cleo's lap. "Well, that's one way to handle negotiations. Brutal, but effective."

Cleo's fingers resumed their gentle movements through his hair, her expression one of quiet satisfaction. "Efficiency is key. The Rex Virus ensures they prioritize results without unnecessary bloodshed. And as you can see, it works."

Rex chuckled while shaking his head. "I'll admit, I didn't think they'd be that… direct. But hey, if it gets the job done, who am I to argue?"

Cleo's smirk returned, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Exactly. And with the Tyrants handling the trade routes, we can focus on the Mist Planet without worrying about supply lines."

Rex nodded, his mind already racing ahead. "Speaking of which… what's the timeline for the invasion? When do we move?"

Cleo's expression turned serious, her fingers stilling for a moment. "We'll begin preparations immediately. The fleet will be ready to depart within 48 hours. Once we arrive, we'll need to move quickly, establish the perimeter, deploy the factories, and secure the warp device before anyone else does."

Rex's eyes narrowed, his earlier drowsiness replaced by focused intensity. "And the mist creatures? What's the plan for dealing with them?"

Cleo's fingers resumed their gentle strokes, her voice calm but firm. "We'll deploy specialized units equipped with thermal and motion sensors to track them through the mist. The factories will prioritize producing anti-mist weaponry, sonic disruptors, and EMP grenades to disorient them. And if necessary…"

She paused, her gaze distant as if weighing the options. "We'll use the Tyrants to hold the line. Their armor is resistant to most forms of energy, and their firepower should be enough to keep the creatures at bay."

Rex nodded slowly, his mind already visualizing the battlefield. "Sounds like a solid plan. But you know as well as I do that no plan survives first contact with the enemy."

Cleo's lips curved into a faint smile. "True. But we'll adapt. We always do."

Rex leaned back, closing his eyes as he let out a slow breath. "Alright. Let's do this. But for now…" He gestured vaguely toward the holo-screens. "Can we turn those off? I'd like a few more minutes of peace before the chaos begins."

Cleo obliged with a wave of her hand, the screens dissolving into nothingness. The room was plunged into soft, ambient light, the only sound the gentle hum of the station's systems and the rhythmic motion of Cleo's fingers through Rex's hair.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of what lay ahead momentarily held at bay. Outside, the stars burned cold and distant, but in that quiet room, there was a rare sense of calm, a fleeting respite before the first world invasion of Rex.

Year 5609, Imperial Galactic System.

This event would be etched into the annals of the Imperial Library as the turning point, the moment that would define the legend of Galactic Overlord Rex Nyx. It was a moment of destiny, a convergence of power and purpose that would echo across the stars.

A deep, resonant hum reverberated through the Cleopatra, the flagship of the Kaelzar fleet, as the armada prepared for departure. The sound was steady, almost alive, like the heartbeat of a colossal beast stirring from slumber. A transmission crackled through the command network, the voice smooth, synthetic, and unmistakably feminine.

[Flight control has granted clearance for fleet departure. Fighter patrols are restricted from entering the western sector to avoid coalition interference. You are free to take off. May the glory of the past guide you.]

Rex, standing near the reinforced observation window of Cleopatra's bridge, let out a low, amused chuckle. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the abyss beyond the glass, a vast, dark-blue expanse of the deep ocean.

Schools of bioluminescent fish drifted past, their ghostly glow illuminating the shadows beneath the fleet. Without shifting his gaze, he remarked, "Thank you, sweetie... But I still wonder, why did you program all the system voices to sound female?"

His tone was light, but the question lingered in the air like a spark waiting to ignite. After a beat, he added, "And now that I think about it… aside from the war units, all of the bots around us are maids. Care to explain that, Cleo?"
Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire

Beside him, Cleo didn't miss a beat. Her golden eyes flicked toward him, her expression as calm and calculating as ever. "Because I know exactly how your mind works," she said with her voice carrying a hint of playful accusation.

Rex finally turned to face her, his brow arched in mock offense. But before he could retort, Cleo continued, her tone dripping with quiet amusement. "Even though I'm in my main body now, we're still connected. And thanks to that bond, I know you'd get jealous if there were too many men around us."

A cough caught in Rex's throat, and he quickly looked away, his cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of color. "Ehem.... Cleo, honey, let's not get sidetracked. It's time to head for the Mist Planet."

Behind him, the twins exchanged knowing glances before stifling quiet chuckles. Their amusement was palpable, and Rex shot them a half-hearted glare, though it did little to wipe the grins from their faces.

Cleo's lips curled into a small, triumphant smirk. "Understood. Initiating fleet power-up sequence."

As if on cue, the crushing darkness of the deep ocean began to glow. Hundreds of Kaelzar fleet ships flickered to life, their lights cutting through the abyss like stars igniting in the void. From sleek, dagger-like frigates to hulking carriers bristling with weaponry, each vessel activated its energy cores, their hulls shimmering with an otherworldly radiance as they prepared for departure.

The Cleopatra led the charge, its colossal frame rising from the depths like a leviathan awakening. Water cascaded down its reinforced plating, glinting in the faint light as it broke the surface. The ship was a masterpiece of design, elegant yet monstrous, a testament to Cleo's unparalleled engineering prowess.

One by one, the frigates followed, their sleek forms slicing through the waves with precision. Kilometers away, the second aircraft carrier surfaced, its towering silhouette pushing through the ocean like a mountain emerging from the sea.

As the fleet ascended into open sky, Cleo's voice resonated across the command channels, calm and commanding. "Activating second defensive layer… Plasma shields deployed. Main energy shields initializing. Stand by."

A faint hum vibrated through the ships as spherical blue energy fields formed around each vessel. Within seconds, the shields shimmered and faded, becoming invisible to the naked eye but their presence was undeniable, a protective barrier against any potential threats.

"Defensive layers active. Preparing for warp jump."

Rex exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping over the fleet as it aligned in perfect formation. The sight was awe-inspiring, a symphony of power and precision.

"3…" Cleo's voice echoed through the bridge, steady and unwavering.

A low pulse reverberated through the ships, the energy fields reaching critical charge.

"2…"

The surrounding sky seemed to bend, the very fabric of reality warping as the fleet prepared to leap into the void.

"1… Jump."

In an instant, the entire fleet vanished. Streaks of light burned into the atmosphere, leaving behind a trail of brilliance as the ships propelled themselves into the unknown.

A second later, the darkness returned, the ocean settling as if the fleet had never been there.

High above, beyond the gravitational pull of the planet, the fleet reappeared hovering in perfect synchronization against the infinite backdrop of space.

"Safe distance achieved. Initiating wormhole device activation. Estimated time until full fleet transit: three imperial minutes."

The countdown had begun.

Cleo stood at the center of the bridge, a commanding presence amidst a sea of hovering holo-screens. Her golden eyes flickered with intensity as they darted across endless streams of data, her mind processing calculations and strategies at lightning speed.

The soft hum of the fleet's systems filled the air, a constant reminder of the power at her fingertips. The bridge was bathed in the cool, ethereal glow of tactical displays, casting an almost otherworldly light over the scene.

Rex, meanwhile, made his way to his command chair with the casual swagger of a man who owned the stars. He sank into the seat with a sigh, his fingers drumming lazily against the armrest as he got comfortable.

But before he could fully relax, the twins materialized on either side of him like shadows given form.