Intergalactic conquest with an AI

"Well then," Xytrallia said while her tone was light but laced with authority, "since you've already asked your question, I suppose it's my turn now." She smiled with a sharp, dangerous smile that carried both elegance and menace. "You see, I pride myself on being fair. One question for one question."

She tilted her head slightly, her long, dark hair cascading over one shoulder as her glowing green eyes narrowed. "So... go ahead," she said with a teasing lilt, her voice soft yet commanding. "Ask me your next question, Rex. I'll allow it."

The proximity and intensity of her gaze made Rex's muscles tighten instinctively. For a moment, he debated what he could ask her or what he should ask her. This wasn't a casual conversation; every word exchanged here had weight, and every question was a gamble.

After a few seconds of deliberation, Rex decided to push back, carefully choosing his words to test her in return. "Alright," he said after straightening his posture slightly. "Since we're taking turns, and you're clearly someone who knows more than you let on, I'll ask something simple."

Her smile widened, the sharpness in her expression softening just a fraction as her eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh? I like your confidence, Rex. Go on, then. Ask."

Rex held her gaze, his voice calm but firm. "What exactly are you hoping to achieve with this meeting? Why did you call for me specifically?"

The Queen let out a low hum, leaning back slightly as if pondering his question. Her long, elegant fingers rested lightly on her chin, and her glowing green eyes flickered faintly, as though reflecting some unseen light.

"Ah, an excellent question," she said after a pause, her voice carrying an almost melodic tone of approval. "And bold, too. Most would be too intimidated to ask such a direct question of me. I like that about you."

She shifted her weight slightly, her translucent dress shimmering faintly as she rested her elbow on her knee, her head tilting once more. "As for why I called you here..." Her smile turned enigmatic, her tone teasing yet cryptic. "Let's just say I'm... curious. You, Rex, are not quite what you appear to be, and that intrigues me. And when something intrigues me, I like to take a closer look."

Her glowing eyes narrowed slightly, and Rex could feel the weight of her gaze intensify. "You're... different," she said, her voice softening, though it still carried a sharp edge. "You've been touched by powers that should be beyond your reach. You're like a puzzle, Rex, one I haven't fully solved yet. That makes you... valuable."

Rex frowned slightly, her words stirring unease within him. "Valuable how?" he asked cautiously.

"Ah-ah," she said while raising a slender finger. "It's still my turn for a question, darling. Don't get greedy now."

She leaned forward once more, her glowing green eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his chest tighten. "Now, my turn. Since you're human or, at least, partially human, allow me to ask you something about your oh so fascinating species."

Her voice dropped slightly, becoming almost a whisper. "How far are you willing to go to protect the ones you care about?"

The question hung in the air like a blade, sharp and heavy. Rex could feel the weight behind it, the subtle challenge in her tone, as if she were testing something deeper than just his resolve.

Rex watched Xytrallia carefully, noticing how her expression shifted as he gave his answer. Her discomfort at his initial hesitation was clear, her glowing green eyes narrowing ever so slightly, her lips forming a faint pout. It was strange to see someone so overwhelming, so godlike, react in such a... human way.

"I see," Xytrallia said after a moment, her voice carrying an edge of disappointment. "So that's your answer. I won't hide that I'm greatly unimpressed by it. You see, for the Hive Minds, family is everything. And don't misunderstand me; when I say family, I'm not talking about the swarm as a whole. No."

She paused, brushing her long nails elegantly through her shimmering hair. "I'm speaking about my sisters and my direct descendants. Our true family."

Her tone grew sharper, her glowing eyes boring into Rex as she continued. "For us, when someone threatens our family, when someone dares harm one of our kind... we act. Without hesitation. Without mercy. The metallic girl of yours, Cleo, was it? She is a prime example of what I mean."

Rex's jaw tightened at her words, but he stayed silent, letting her finish.

"Because of your hesitation and your answer," Xytrallia continued, pouting slightly like a spoiled empress, "I'll have to deduct some points from you." She crossed her legs again, resting her chin delicately on her hand.

Despite her teasing tone, there was a sharpness beneath her words, a critique Rex couldn't ignore.

Rex exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts. Then, after a brief pause, he met her gaze directly. "Well," he began, his voice steady, "I don't know what kind of answer you were expecting from me, but I stand by what I said."
Your next chapter is on empire

Xytrallia tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"I will never trade my life for someone I care about," Rex continued, his voice firm but sincere.

"Because if I die, there's no certainty that the person I saved would even be grateful for it. Let's say the person I saved loved me just as much as I loved them; if I gave my life for them, all I'd leave behind is a deep scar on their heart."

"A scar they'd carry for the rest of their life. So instead, I'd rather carry the burden of my weakness, the pain of my own failure, than leave someone I care about to carry that scar."

His words hung in the air for a moment, the atmosphere in the chamber thick with tension. Xytrallia's expression changed, her pout fading as her eyes grew sharper, more thoughtful. She leaned back slightly, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest of her organic throne.

For a few seconds, she was silent, gazing at Rex as though trying to unravel him. Then, finally, she let out a soft hum, tilting her head again.

"I see," she said slowly, her voice quieter this time, as if she were speaking to herself. "While the answer I was hoping for wasn't quite that one, your explanation does bring about... a similar result."

She fell into thought for a brief moment, her glowing eyes shimmering faintly. When she finally spoke again, her tone had shifted; now it was lighter, almost playful, but still carried a subtle weight.

"Well, well, well," she said with a devilish smile spreading across her lips. "You've managed to surprise me, Rex. And not many people can do that. Your answer... it's unconventional. But it's made me realize something new, and that's put me in a rather good mood."

Her smile widened, her sharp teeth gleaming faintly in the dim green light of the chamber. "So, in light of that," she continued, her voice dripping with mischief.

"I'll offer you something. A reward, if you will. You may ask for one thing... anything you desire. And if it's within my power to grant it, and it's not too troublesome, I might just concede it to you."

She leaned forward slightly, her glowing eyes locking onto his with a predatory intensity. "But do be careful what you ask for, darling~," she added with a teasing lilt, "because I don't grant wishes lightly."

Rex blinked, his mind racing at her unexpected offer. He wasn't sure if this was an opportunity… or a trap. Still, the prospect of being able to ask something of Xytrallia, one of the most powerful beings he had ever encountered, was not something to take lightly.

"Alright," Rex said, his voice steady as he straightened his posture. "If you're offering, I'll take you up on that."

Xytrallia grinned, her expression both amused and expectant. "Oh, I knew you would. So, darling~," she said while resting her chin on her hand once more. "What is it you desire? Power? Knowledge? Protection? Or… perhaps something else entirely?"

When Rex heard Xytrallia's last words and saw her licking her lips, he could tell she was thoroughly enjoying this little game. Her amusement was clear in her mischievous grin, and that only pushed him to meet her challenge with his own confidence.

"Well, since I'm being offered this opportunity to wish for something, I'll take it," Rex answered, his voice firm and deliberate. "I want you to help us three times against enemies that attack us." He folded his arms and stood tall, waiting for her reaction, his golden eyes gleaming behind his helmet.

For a brief moment, Xytrallia didn't say anything, and her expression was unreadable. Then, slowly, a wide, sharp smile spread across her lips. "Mmm… yes," she purred, her voice dripping with mock approval. "I was expecting you to ask for something like that."

But then her smile turned sly while her glowing green eyes narrowed slightly. "However…"

In an instant, she vanished from her throne, reappearing directly behind Rex. He barely had time to react before he felt her long, slender arms wrap around his torso in an almost intimate embrace. Her cool fingers brushed over his chestplate, tracing patterns against the hard surface of his armor.

"You're more greedy than I thought, darling," Xytrallia teased him with her lips just inches from his ear. Her voice was so smooth, so sultry, that it sent an involuntary shiver down Rex's spine. "Three times? My, my… that's quite the demand."