Chapter 98: Underground City Arrival.

Behind him, Cleo entered the bridge, her usual neutral expression returning despite the twins trailing behind her. She followed Rex's gaze and nodded slightly. "Two of the supercapitals barely made it out of the last Hive Mind assault. That horn..." She gestured toward the grotesque protrusion. "It's from one of the Khryssari supercapitals. It pierced the ship's shields and hull before they could warp out. The damage speaks for itself." Rex frowned, his thoughts briefly drifting to the battle reports he had skimmed over the past few days. The Hive Mind attacks had been relentless, and even the Allied Fleet's best efforts had only managed to hold the line with heavy losses. "How long until those two ships are fully repaired?" "At least three months, minimum," Cleo replied, crossing her arms. " Assuming the engineers don't run into any unforeseen issues. Those Kragnarok-Class Planet Devourer Hive Mind supercapitals aren't just strong; they're corrosive. That horn's toxin likely infected half the ship's internal systems." Nyra peeked out from behind Cleo, her crimson eyes widening as she looked at the damaged supercapital. " Wow... Are those ships?" Lyra nodded, her soft voice filled with awe. " They're huge, but they look so hurt." Rex smirked and ruffled the twins' hair with one hand. "Welcome to the real world, kiddo. Out here, it's eat or be eaten. The strong thrive, and the weak... well, they get crushed." "Right now, the allied fleet is the weak, and let's be honest, they've been slugging it out with the hive mind for two years with about as much success as a fish trying to climb a tree." With a sharp nod, Rex gestured toward the cockpit door. "Alright, move it, you two. We've got to get to the transport ship and hit the planet before we lose even more time." He gave them a light shove, urging them toward the exit, while Cleo trailed behind them in silence like a shadow. Once inside the transport ship, they shot straight toward the underground city. It might've seemed like an amateur move to fly directly to a hidden location, but Cleo's jamming devices were a work of pure genius. Planted all over the planet, they rendered registered ships completely invisible to any tracking system. And as for unauthorized ships? Well, let's just say anyone dumb enough to tail them would have a Wraith-class squadron on their six faster than they could say "big mistake." Engines? Gone. Ship? Grounded. Survivors? If there were any, the combat drones would sweep them up, leaving the rest to the city guards, guards who were all too happy to play ball thanks to a little something Rex liked to call "generous financial motivation." As the transport ship approached the city's entrance, it passed seamlessly through the cloaking field that kept the entire operation hidden from prying eyes. The descent into the city was breathtaking. Floor after floor of underground brilliance unfolded before their eyes, a world alive with color, light, and energy. The twins were glued to the reinforced windows; their eyes opened wide. Coming from an agricultural world where the height of innovation was a slightly more efficient plow, this bustling city was like stepping into a whole new universe. "Whoa!" Lyra gasped, her crimson eyes sparkling like rubies. "This is... this is incredible!" Rex chuckled and crossed his arms, watching their amazement with a cocky grin. "Yeah, not bad, huh? I told you the underground life has its perks." Nyra, ever the tough one, tried to play it cool. "It's alright, I guess," she said with a shrug, but her wide-eyed stare betrayed her. She leaned closer to the window, pretending to inspect something "important." Rex barked out a laugh. "Oh, don't even try to hide it, Nyra. You're loving this, and we all know it. It's okay to act your age once in a while." Nyra whipped her head around, glaring at him with a fiery look. Rex replied, not even looking back, his laugh echoing down the corridor. The twins, standing at the base of the ramp, exchanged wide-eyed glances as they watched the ridiculous back-and-forth unfold. Nyra crossed her arms, trying not to laugh while Lyra couldn't stop giggling. Their amusement was short-lived when they noticed Cleo, standing quietly nearby, shaking her head in exasperation and letting out a tired sigh. "Emilia, please," Cleo said, summoning a cluster of floating holo-screens with a flick of her wrist, " take the girls inside. Get them cleaned up, fed, and settled into a room. They've had a long day." Emilia, ever the epitome of grace, nodded with a slight bow. "Understand, my lady. Young ladies, if you would follow me. " She gestured with a soft smile, her every movement precise and elegant. The twins glanced between Emilia and Cleo, hesitating for a moment. Cleo noticed their uncertainty and knelt down to their level, her voice soft but firm. "It's okay, girls. Emilia is one of the few people I trust with my life. You're safe with her, so there's no need to worry." Cleo paused, studying their expressions before reaching out to pinch their cheeks gently. "I have a lot to do, but if you need anything, anything at all, just ask one of the little birds flying around the mansion. They'll find me." She stood up, giving them a small smile before turning to leave. "Be good girls, alright?" The twins nodded silently, their eyes following Cleo as she walked away with her usual air of authority. Emilia waited patiently before gesturing again. "Come along now. Let's get you two cleaned up and fed." The twins exchanged another glance, and Lyra couldn't help but whisper to Nyra, " This place is weird... but kind of cool." Nyra smirked. "Yeah, just don't let them pinch your cheeks again." While Emilia escorted the twins to freshen up and settle into their new surroundings, Cleo retired to her bedroom for some much-needed rest. Her bed, far from ordinary, doubled as an advanced recharge bay. As she lay down, the soft hum of energy coursing through the sleek, futuristic frame began restoring her strength, both physically and mentally. Her calm expression hinted at someone who was always three steps ahead, even when asleep. Meanwhile, Rex and Carlos had already made themselves at home in one of their favorite dens, a bustling nightclub filled with flashing lights, pounding basslines, and an endless stream of energy from the young crowd. Their spot of choice? The exclusive VIP room perched on the third floor, a secluded space with an unbeatable view of the chaos below. This wasn't just any nightclub; it was the nightclub. A melting pot of species from all corners of the galaxy, where the daring came to dance, drink, and indulge in every kind of vice imaginable. Rex liked this place for one specific reason: The Dragon Slayer . This wasn't your average drink; it was a beer with a kick strong enough to knock even the toughest warriors flat on their backs. For someone like Rex, who had the alcohol tolerance of a tank, it was the only drink worth his time. The name wasn't just for show, either. A single sip of the Dragon Slayer could kill an ordinary human outright, so the staff wisely enforced a strict policy, only races with proven high tolerance levels were allowed to order it. And Rex? Let's just say he was on a first-name basis with the bartenders. Carlos leaned back in his chair, the neon glow from the dancefloor below casting sharp shadows across his rugged face. He took a long gulp from his mug and set it down with a heavy thunk. "Alright, Rex," he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. " Enough stalling. What's the deal with those twins you brought with you this time? Don't tell me you're starting some kind of daycare service now."