Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Read new adventures at empire

The elevator descended for what felt like an eternity; the soft hum of machinery was the only sound in the enclosed space. When the doors finally slid open, Sharon's father stepped into a vast, high-tech underground facility.

The walls were lined with holographic displays, flickering with streams of data, star maps, and encrypted communications. The air was cool and sterile, carrying the faint scent of ozone.

At the center of the room stood a circular console, its surface alive with glowing interfaces. A figure in a dark suit, face obscured by a hood, turned to greet him.

"You're late," the figure said with its voice distorted by a modulator. "We've been waiting."

Sharon's father didn't flinch. "I had to deal with... family matters," he replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for further questions. He strode to the console, his fingers dancing across the holographic keys. "What's the status of the operation?"

The hooded figure stepped closer, its presence unnervingly silent. "NovaSyn and Nexum's CEO are moving faster than we anticipated. Their alliance is more than just a marriage; it's a consolidation of power. If they succeed, they'll control nearly half of the galactic trade routes within the year."

Sharon's father's jaw tightened. "And the other factions?"

"The Syndicate is watching, but they won't act unless provoked. As for the Free Colonies… they're too fragmented to pose a threat. For now."

He nodded, his mind racing. "Then we'll have to accelerate our plans. If NovaSyn and Nexum want a war, we'll give them one. But on our terms."

The hooded figure tilted its head slightly. "And what of your daughter? She's already caught in the crossfire. If they suspect she knows anything…"

"Sharon is stronger than she looks," he interrupted, his voice firm. "She's my daughter, after all. But I'll make sure she's protected. She's not part of this."

The figure hesitated, then gave a slow nod. "As you wish. But remember, sentimentality can be a weakness. Don't let it cloud your judgment."

Sharon's father's eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger breaking through his calm exterior. "I don't need your advice. Just make sure your people are ready. We move at dawn."

Without another word, the hooded figure turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving him alone in the cavernous room. He stared at the holographic displays, the intricate web of alliances and betrayals playing out before his eyes.

For a moment, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his responsibilities.

But it was only a moment.

Straightening his posture, he activated a secure comm channel. A hologram flickered to life, revealing the face of a grizzled man with a cybernetic eye.

"It's time," Sharon's father said, his voice cold and commanding. "Initiate Protocol Eclipse."

The man on the screen grinned, a predatory gleam in his eye. "About damn time. I'll rally the troops."

The hologram vanished, leaving the room in silence once more. Sharon's father took a deep breath, his expression hardening. He had built his empire from nothing, fought tooth and nail to protect it, and he wasn't about to let some upstart corporations tear it down.

Not without a fight.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Sharon and Carlos sat in her room with a spread of food between them. Despite the earlier tension, they were laughing, the weight of the evening momentarily forgotten. But as Sharon glanced out the window at the sprawling city lights, her smile faded.

"Carlos," she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Do you ever feel like… there's something bigger going on? Something we're not being told?"

Carlos paused, a forkful of food halfway to his mouth. He set it down, his expression turning serious. "Yeah," he admitted. "I've felt it for a while now. Your dad... he's not just some businessman, is he?"

Sharon shook her head, her eyes distant. "I don't know. But whatever it is… I think it's about to blow up in our faces."

Carlos reached over, taking her hand in his. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Okay?"

She smiled faintly, squeezing his hand. "Okay."

In the heart of Nexum Dynamics, deep within its most secure headquarters, Percival, the CEO, sat in his sleek, dimly lit office when his encrypted communicator buzzed.

This line was private and only a select few had access to this line and that meant only one thing: a report from his special ops unit.

He answered immediately.

A distorted voice crackled through the secured channel.

"Special ops agent, code number 45 reporting, sir. The traitor Viceroy Kael Vortigan has made his move. What are your orders?"

For a brief moment, Percival remained silent.

Then, he internally laughed.

{Hahaha! So you've finally made your move, stubborn old man! Now I have the perfect excuse to use the full might of Nexum against you! Once you're gone, I can do whatever the hell I want!}

He suppressed his excitement, keeping his voice cold and neutral.

"Well done," he said smoothly. "Continue monitoring the traitor's movements. Do not engage. Do not get caught."

"Understood, sir. I'll report back with any new developments."

When the call ended. Percival leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as a wide grin stretched across his face.

{Hahahaha! Finally… finally!}

But there was no time to waste.

With a few swift commands, he initiated an urgent meeting, a direct summons to the Nexum Viceroys, and since this was an emergency-level call, it took less than a minute for the holographic figures of the Viceroys to materialize before him.

Their presence filled the room with an imposing energy, and predictably, the first to react was the most infuriating one of them all.

"What is the meaning of this, Percival?! Have you finally gone crazy?!"

The angry, sturdy hologram of an old man shouted at him, his deep scowl exaggerated by the flickering light.

{Tsk. This old fossil again. I swear, I should start sending him fake meeting invites just to watch him stroke out from the stress. I wonder if he's even taking his dementia pills.}

Percival kept his smile polite, ignoring the urge to roll his eyes.

Then, another voice joined in.

"While I usually don't agree with this angry midget," the hologram of an elderly woman drawled lazily, "I'll have to side with him this time."

She sat in a lavish chair, her long cane pointed directly at Percival.

"If this turns out to be a waste of my time," she warned, "I will personally come visit you and shove some sense into that thick skull of yours. Maybe then, you'll have something inside your head besides your mother's tits."

A vein in Percival's forehead twitched slightly. But his professional smile never wavered.

"Come now, Madame Rose," he said smoothly while resting his chin on his hand. "I know you're all very busy people, but if I'm not mistaken… aren't you a bit preoccupied playing 'cute grandma' with your new pet?"

His smile sharpened. "Surely, you have a bit of free time to spare for a meeting."

For a split second, the room went dead silent. Then, slowly, Madame Rose's eyes narrowed.

If looks could kill, Percival wouldn't just be dead; he'd have her cane lodged so far up his ass he'd be coughing up splinters for the rest of his life.

{Tch. A lowly slave, and yet she sits among the Viceroys of my Nexum? Laughable. It doesn't matter. Once I have absolute power, she'll be the first to die.}

But for now… he played his part.

He leaned forward slightly, his smile never faltering.

"Now then… shall we begin?"

Percival let the tension settle before finally speaking, his voice rich with dramatics.

"Seeing that I have everyone's attention and knowing that your time is as valuable as gold, I will get straight to the point," he began, placing a hand over his heart for effect.

"As you all know, as CEO, it is my duty to ensure peace among us so that we may unite our strength against the other megacorps!"

His voice rose with conviction, his expression grave, and then, after a deep breath, his face twisted into a look of pained reluctance.

"HOWEVER!" he suddenly shouted, lowering his head as if it physically pained him to speak his next words.

The room stilled, waiting.

Percival clenched his jaw. Then, with a dramatic pause, he finally uttered, "While it pains me deeply… I must bring forth unfortunate news." His shoulders shook slightly, as if he was holding back immense sorrow.

"Viceroy Kael Vortigan... has betrayed us!"

A sharp silence followed.

"That is impossible!" shouted the old, grumpy man, his hologram flickering slightly with the force of his rage. "Where is your proof!?"

Percival sighed theatrically, shaking his head.

"Oh, but I do have proof."

He lifted a hand, and the large screen to their left came to life. "If you would all be so kind as to direct your attention to the screen," he said smoothly.

The holographic display shifted to a live transmission with a planetary view of Kael Vortigan's stronghold.

On the screen, the planet's defenses were being activated, heavy artillery, ion cannons, and shield generators coming online. Meanwhile, above the surface, a fleet was beginning to assemble in the upper atmosphere.

A slow murmur ran through the room.

Percival allowed the images to do most of the talking.

"This," he finally said, gesturing to the screen, "is happening right now... thanks to one of our loyal agents who saw the Viceroy's actions as a threat to our corporation."

He clasped his hands together. "So, I have gathered you all here today… so we can deal with him together."

"I see…"

The one who spoke was Viceroy Pax, a man known for his love of wealth above all else. He sipped at an exotic herbal drink with his posture being oddly relaxed.

"So, you want to use our armies and fleets to deal with Kael Vortigan?" He raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers on the table. "While I can see the efficiency in such an action… I must ask... what's in it for us?"

His eyes gleamed with calculation and anticipation.