Chapter 229 Confrontation. (10) First contact

Words : 1138 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

[hostile fleet detected. activating alert level 3. civilians, proceed to the fortified shelter immediately. all combat-ready individuals report to the armory to defend the station. i repeat...] the cold, mechanical voice of the trading station's ai echoed throughout the station, accompanied by flashing orange lights. designed by cleo herself, the ai was a crucial part of the station's defenses, managing the energy shields and overseeing the weapon platforms. cleo stood at the heart of the command center, her calm demeanor masking the storm of calculations running through her mind. the enemy had arrived. and they were wasting no time. "the enemy fleet is here," cleo stated, her voice sharp and commanding. "deploying stealthy explosive drones. attention all fighter squadrons: be ready to deploy on my signal." her fingers danced across multiple consoles, sending hundreds of commands in the span of seconds. [alert. enemy fighters incoming.] "deploy fighters from carrier one," cleo ordered. moments later, the hangar doors of the leviathan-class carrier opened, releasing wave after wave of kaelzar fighters into the void. the sleek ships ignited their engines, accelerating to intercept the approaching enemy. [hostile fighter squadron contact in: 10 minus 4...] [3...] [2...] [contact.] the first clash was sudden and violent. the kaelzar fighters, designed for speed and firepower, unleashed a storm of plasma bolts and missiles. but the revenant fighters, shaped like jagged, obsidian rocks, employed brutal tactics, ramming their opponents with their reinforced hulls. their pointed, crystalline structures smashed through kaelzar ships like blades, leaving destruction in their wake. cleo's eyes narrowed as she watched the battle unfold on the holographic display. the kaelzar ships were fast and deadly, but their superior firepower was being neutralized by the suicidal tactics of the revenant fighters. "fighter squadrons are being dispatched at an incredible rate," cleo muttered, her voice calm despite the rising tension. "initiating countermeasures... adapting to enemy tactics." with a few swift commands, she reprogrammed the fighters to focus on evasion, sacrificing some firepower in exchange for better survival odds. the shift in strategy stabilized the battle, tilting it into a delicate balance. meanwhile, aboard the revenant fleet's command vessel, a towering golem with a glowing crystal embedded in its forehead stood before his leader. the golem's voice rumbled like grinding stone. "great rock, the enemy has adapted to our tactics. what are your orders?" the great rock, an imposing figure whose chest radiated a sinister purple light, stood unmoving, his voice dry and emotionless. "it matters not. those are mere inferior golems. their deaths are inconsequential." his glowing eyes flickered as he turned toward the tactical display. "prepare the long-range launchers. we will target their larger vessels." back on the cleopatra, the station's ai issued another warning. [warning: enemy large vessels are preparing to make a move. insufficient data to analyze enemy strategy. requesting more information.] "hey, welcome back~," she said softly, her voice carrying an almost teasing warmth. "what the hell just happened?" rex groaned while bringing a hand to his head as a dull, rhythmic pulse throbbed through his temples. "feels like i got hit by a starship." xytrallia chuckled, her laughter as sweet as it was mischievous. "mmm, i wonder~?" she said, her tone playful as she shifted slightly, now sitting up on top of him. "all i can tell you... is that it worked." her hand rested lightly on her stomach, the gesture almost casual, but meaningful. "what worked?" rex muttered, struggling to piece together his fragmented memory. his thoughts felt like broken shards scattered across a dark floor. "i don't remember doing much..." leaning in closer, xytrallia gave him a sly smile, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered, "well, what do you think... papa~?" the word sent a cold shiver down rex's spine, followed immediately by a flash of heat. he froze, staring at her in shock as the puzzle pieces suddenly clicked together. the memories rushed back, all the moments of intimacy and the surreal haze that had followed. "wait, wait, wait," rex stammered while grabbing xytrallia by the arms as he stared at her with wide eyes. "are you saying that... right now... inside you... is my son?" xytrallia tilted her head slightly, her expression softening into something unexpectedly vulnerable. "indeed," she said, her voice quieter but still laced with confidence. "why? are you displeased that your firstborn will be born from this queen?" "what?! no!" rex's grip on her arms tightened, but his tone was filled with excitement rather than fear. "i don't care about that! i'm going to be a father!" without hesitation, rex pulled xytrallia into a tight embrace, his emotions pouring out like a flood. for xytrallia, this moment of pure, unfiltered love was alien and overwhelming. as a queen, she had never experienced anything like this before. her previous offspring were born from enemies, creatures she had killed and devoured, using their nucleos to create her brood. but this... this was different. rex wasn't just another source of material for her hive. he was her partner. and while rex was blissfully unaware of the deeper implications of what had just happened, xytrallia was all too aware. khryssari females were notoriously protective of their partners, driven by instincts that bordered on obsessive. in many ways, they were as loving as they were dangerous, an instinctive blend of devotion and possessiveness that most species couldn't comprehend. "i-i-i know you're excited," xytrallia stammered, her usual confidence wavering for just a moment. "but... can you please let me go now? we don't have time for this. my explorers have reported that the enemy is already at your base." despite her words, part of her didn't want him to let go. rex immediately snapped out of his euphoric haze, his mind switching back into soldier mode. "oh right! the trading station!" he said while releasing her and standing up in a hurry. "i'll meet you in the throne room!" summoning his wings, rex launched himself upward, flying toward the same opening he had fallen through earlier. xytrallia watched him leave, her glowing green eyes lingering on the fading shimmer of his wings. for a moment, the room fell silent. slowly, xytrallia placed a hand on her stomach, her fingers brushing gently over the spot where new life was growing. it was a strange, intoxicating feeling, one she had never known in all her centuries as queen. this child wasn't just another tool of war for her swarm. for the first time, she felt something foreign yet addictive: motherly love. it coursed through her, lighting a fire in her soul that no battle or conquest ever had. "this feeling..." she whispered to herself, her voice trembling slightly. "it's dangerous. but... i want more of it."

Chapter 229 Confrontation. (10) First contact

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