Intergalactic conquest with an AI

"What do the Hive Minds want with the Revenant Ascendancy?" Cleo asked sharply, her piercing golden eyes locking onto Ys's playful emerald ones. Her patience was already running thin, and she wasn't in the mood for Ys's games.

"Well," Ys began, tilting her head with an innocent smile that only made Cleo's irritation increase further. "As I'm sure you already know, their ships are made of minerals. My mom wants to see if they're... how do I put it... good nutrients for our troops."

She said this with the same carefree tone one might use to comment on the weather, her voice light and whimsical.

Cleo's gaze hardened. "So, what you're saying is the Hive Minds want to devour the remains of the Revenant fleet? Is that it?"

"Not exactly," Ys replied, her smile widening ever so slightly. "What she wants are the remains of the battle. It doesn't matter whose remains they are... yours, the Revenant's, anyone's really. She doesn't care."

Cleo's expression darkened further, her displeasure etched clearly across her face. As usual, Ys seemed entirely unbothered, as if she hadn't just dropped a deeply unsettling revelation.

"Ah! But don't misunderstand," Ys added, clasping her hands behind her back and leaning forward slightly with an air of mock innocence. "I'll still fight alongside you guys. After all, it's my duty to fight with my darling husband～."

Her voice was as sweet as honey, but her teasing tone cut through Cleo's growing frustration like a knife.

Cleo's fists clenched at her sides, her patience reaching its limit. "So what is the point of telling me this?" she asked coldly. "If your mother isn't sending reinforcements, why are you wasting my time with this useless information?"

Ys's grin didn't falter. Instead, her eyes glimmered with mischief as she tilted her head the other way. "Well, it's because she wants to talk with my darling Rex first. Then, maybe she'll decide what to do, whether to send reinforcements or not."

Cleo's composure finally broke. Her fury erupted as she slammed Ys against the cold metallic wall of the corridor, her hands gripping Ys's arms with crushing force. "DO YOU THINK I'M AN IMBECILE?!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.

Ys blinked, clearly unfazed by Cleo's sudden outburst. If anything, her grin grew wider. "Hey～, I don't mind being pushed to the wall," she teased with her voice as infuriatingly carefree as ever, "but I'd definitely prefer if Rex was the one doing it instead of you～."

"Don't joke with me, Y'Ssera!" Cleo shouted, her grip tightening as her golden eyes burned with rage. "Do you think I'm a toy for your miserable race? Do you think the Hive Minds are untouchable? Do you think there's no one in this galaxy capable of defeating them!?"

Ys's playful demeanor didn't falter. If anything, she seemed to enjoy Cleo's fury, as if it were a game to her. "Mmm～? I don't know why you're yelling at me," Ys said with a sly smile. "I'm not the one who told you those things, you know. I'm just the messenger～."

The carefree tone in Ys's voice only served to infuriate Cleo further, but after a few seconds of silence, she let out a heavy sigh. Her grip on Ys's arms loosened, and she stepped back, regaining her composure.

"Y'Ssera," Cleo said coldly, her voice now steadier but still laced with venom. "Are you sure you want Rex to go to the Hive Mind?"

She tilted her head again, her grin softening just a little as she raised an eyebrow. "Mmm? Why not? It's not like anything bad will happen to him while he's visiting my mom, you know." Her tone was almost dismissive, as if Cleo's concern was entirely unfounded.

Cleo stared at her, unblinking. "Are you certain? Should I remind you what the Queens of the Hive Minds are infamous for doing?" Her words were sharp, cutting through Ys's nonchalance like a blade.

For the first time, Ys didn't respond immediately. The playful spark in her eyes dimmed slightly as her expression grew uncharacteristically quiet. She didn't look angry or surprised, just thoughtful. The shift in her demeanor was subtle but significant.

Cleo studied her for a moment longer before letting out another sigh. Without another word, she turned and resumed walking down the corridor, leaving Ys alone with her thoughts.

Ys remained by the wall for a moment, her emerald eyes staring off into the distance. For once, her carefree expression had been replaced with something far more subdued.

That same night, Rex was already lying comfortably in bed, his arms behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. Cleo sat nearby in front of a mirror, brushing her long, black hair with slow, deliberate strokes.

The soft glow of the room's lights reflected off her smooth skin, giving her an almost ethereal appearance.

"Rex, I received a message from the Hive Minds," she said suddenly, her voice calm but carrying a subtle tension. "Do you want to hear it?"

"Mmm? Sure, why not?" Rex replied, his tone light and teasing as his gaze shifted to her reflection in the mirror.

"It's not like I have anything else to do while lying here on this ridiculously comfy bed, recharging myself, with a beautiful girl making herself even more beautiful before coming to lay next to me." He grinned, his golden eyes sparkling with playful mischief.

Cleo paused her brushing and let out a small sigh, the corner of her mouth twitching at his antics. She turned slightly in her chair, meeting his gaze through the mirror.

"Ys told me her mother wants to meet you in person," she said bluntly. Her voice was composed, but the subtle edge in her tone betrayed her displeasure. "But I hate it."

Rex raised an eyebrow, propping himself up on one elbow as he studied her expression. "Why are you against it?" he asked. "It's not like I'm going to stay with her forever or anything."

Cleo stood, setting the brush down on the table as she turned to face him fully. Her golden eyes were serious now, her usual cool demeanor cracking just enough to let him see her concern.

"It's not that, you idiot," she said with a hint of exasperation. "It's just... from the little information we have about the Hive Minds, there's one thing we know for sure. The Queen is extremely picky when it comes to her daughters' partners. She won't accept what she considers inferior genes to be introduced into their ranks."

Rex's playful smirk returned as he raised both eyebrows. "Hold on a second, what's wrong with my genes? I'm pretty sure Ys said mine were of legendary quality, you know," he said while grinning as he opened the blanket to invite her to join him in bed.

Cleo let out a small huff, walking toward the bed and slipping under the blanket next to him. She rested her head on his chest, her silver hair spilling over his shoulder like liquid moonlight.

"It's not that simple," she said, her voice softer now as her fingers idly traced patterns on his chest.

"Usually, when the Queen of a Swarm selects potential partners, it's because she's looking for something specific. Maybe genes from a species with incredible defense or a race that possesses a unique supernatural ability that she wants to introduce into her ranks."

"In your case..." Cleo hesitated, her golden eyes flickering with uncertainty. "You're originally human. And humans aren't exactly well studied species. At least, not in the same way as some of the other advanced races."

"So what you're saying is that there's a high chance she'll decide I'm not worth keeping around?" Rex asked, his tone casual as he began gently patting Cleo's head.

"Affirmative," Cleo replied, her voice laced with reluctance.

"And if she does come to that conclusion... there's a chance she'll try to kill you. Worse, I don't know if I'd be able to stop her. We don't know how strong this Queen is, and Ys... she might not be able to help you either. She's still under the control of the Queen, no matter how free she appears to be."

Rex fell silent for a moment, his hand continuing its soothing motion through Cleo's hair as he processed her words. Despite the heavy implications of what she was saying, his expression remained calm, even thoughtful.

"You're really worried about me, huh?" Rex finally said while a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Cleo didn't answer immediately. Instead, she buried her face slightly into his chest, her voice muffled but tinged with frustration. "Of course I am, you idiot," she said quietly. "You're reckless and arrogant, and you never take things seriously until it's too late. How could I not worry?"

Rex chuckled softly, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Well, I don't plan on dying anytime soon," he said confidently. "And besides, if she's as picky as you say, then I just have to make myself irresistible, right? Maybe show off these legendary genes Ys was bragging about."

Cleo groaned, lifting her head just enough to glare at him. "This isn't a joke, Rex."

"I know, I know," he said, his grin softening into something more genuine. "I'll be careful, Cleo. I promise."

Cleo studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes searching his for any trace of doubt or insincerity. Finally, she let out a sigh and rested her head back on his chest. "You'd better," she muttered. Continue your journey on empire

For a while, the two of them lay there in comfortable silence, the tension in the room gradually fading. Cleo's breathing grew softer, her body relaxing against his as her eyelids began to droop.