Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

When Alex woke up, he felt… nothing.

He expected to feel a splitting headache and pain all over his body like every other time he passed out in such situations, but this time seemed to be different.

'Ahhh, well I can't complain really…'

It was way better than any of the previous experiences he had like this anyway, so he was in fact rather delighted to be free from the pain this time.

'Where the hell am I then?'

But this was the most concerning thing on Alex's mind at the moment, as he clearly remembered passing out amidst the battlefield, and he clearly wasn't anywhere near that anymore.

Instead, he was lying in a completely clean room, in an extremely comfortable bed with even a few windows to the side.

Outside the windows was the vast expanse of space.

He was obviously on some sort of ship, but who brought him there, or how he even got there was a complete mystery to him.

Alex sat up, his movements smooth and painless, and glanced around the room.

There was a sleek and metallic sheen to everything, from the walls to the furniture.

Advanced technology everywhere.

A small console to the side of his bed hummed softly, its screen displaying his vital signs.

Before he could ponder further, the door to the room slid open with a soft hiss.

A tall, slender woman stepped in, dressed in a form fitting uniform with intricate patterns that seemed to glow faintly.

The woman had an air of calm authority, and her eyes, a striking shade of violet, met Alex's with an unreadable expression.

"You're awake," the woman said, her voice smooth and melodic.

"That's good. How are you feeling?"

"Confused." Alex admitted, his gaze never leaving the woman.

"Where am I? And who are you?"

The figure smiled faintly.

"You are onboard the Arden Dawn, a vessel of the Alliance fleet. My name is Elara, and I am the ship's chief medical officer."

"We found you on the battlefield, severely injured but still alive. It seems your body is quite tough and resilient to hold out for so long."

"The Alliance Fleet?" Alex repeated, trying to piece together some information.

"I've never heard of it."

Elara nodded, her violet eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and understanding.

"That's not surprising. The Alliance Fleet operates outside of the Federation's jurisdiction."

"We are, in essence, a private army composed of awakened individuals from various planets, united by a common cause."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "A private army? What's your cause?"

"To protect and preserve life across the galaxy," Elara explained. "We intervene in conflicts where the Federation is unable or unwilling to act. We've been monitoring the activities of the Red Demons for some time."

"Your Federation's stupid ambition has sparked this war and ended the human race's protection period early, so we were forced to involve ourselves."

Alex processed this information, his mind racing. "So, you're like… galactic vigilantes?"

Elara smiled at that.

"Calling us vigilantes implies we are going against the Federation's laws and rules, when in reality the Federation can't touch us."

Alex's eyebrow perked up after hearing such a bold statement, especially after he had met the top brass of the Federation himself, so he knew just how powerful they were.

"And how exactly would that be the case?" He asked.

Elara just chuckled mysteriously, not revealing too much.

"Because of our leader."

Alex leaned back against the bed's headrest, trying to absorb everything Elara was saying.

'Because of their leader? How could one person be strong enough for the Federation to fear them? Just what kind of person is this leader?'

Alex had a multitude of questions he wanted to ask, but from Elara's previous response he could tell that he wouldn't get much more information out of her regarding this topic.

"So, you found me on the battlefield. Why did you save me?"

"Simply because we could. Do we need much more of a reason to save someone on the battlefield?"

'Ahh..'

Alex wasn't expecting such a simple response.

Considering the way Elara had been presenting herself and this Alliance Fleet, he was expecting something more along the lines of 'Your determination and courage in the face of overwhelming odds caught our attention blah blah blah', but instead, it seemed things were much more simple than that.

Alex relaxed a bit, the unexpected simplicity of Elara's response giving him a strange sense of comfort, or maybe it was the soft bed sheets beneath him?

He nodded slowly, accepting her explanation.

"So, what happens now?" he asked, looking at her.

Elara's smile widened slightly.

"Now, you have a choice."

"You can either rest and recover here on the Ardent Dawn, or you can join us. We could use someone with your skills."

'Ahh, there it is. I should have expected such a recruitment tactic right from the beginning.'

Alex thought about it, but not for long.

Elara didn't really have much to offer to him, at least he thought so.

"And if I decide to go back?"

"We'll ensure your safe return and provide some aid to this system to bolster the human race's defences against the Red Demons."

"We're not here to force anyone to join us. Our cause is voluntary, and we respect the choices of those we help." Elara explained.

"I'll take that option then. I'm rather comfortable with my current situation, thanks. I'm not looking for any change." Alex replied.

Elara, somewhat disappointed with his response, nodded.

She was about to tell Alex that it would still take another few days before he fully recovered, but as she took a glance at his vital signs on the small panel next to his bed, she couldn't help but do a double take.

"You're already fully recovered?" She blurted out, unable to hold her curiosity in.

Alex, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, replied.

"How would I know? I had only just awoken before you stepped into the room and started blabbering on about your recruitment scheme…"

"..."

"..."