Intergalactic conquest with an AI

The avatar of Cleo appeared as a shimmering, semi-transparent figure, her form still retaining the elegance and authority she commanded in the physical world. The hologram's golden hues flickered against the backdrop of the void, making her appear almost divine.

She raised one hand, pointing her finger directly at the closest Revenant vessel, one of the hulking monstrosities of jagged crystals and dark metal, looming ominously near the station.

The Cleopatra's primary cannons began to shift and rotate, their massive barrels aligning with the hostile vessel. The sound of the ship's internal mechanisms humming to life reverberated across the void as the weapon systems locked onto their target.

Cleo's voice echoed, both in the command room and across the communication network of her fleet. It was calm and absolute, yet carried a weight that demanded obedience.

"Fire."

The Cleopatra's main cannon unleashed its fury. A blinding beam of energy erupted from the barrel, cutting through the darkness of space like a lance of molten fire. The sheer power of the shot illuminated the battlefield, momentarily overpowering even the glow of the trading station's lights.

The beam struck the Revenant vessel dead-on, slamming into its shields with a cataclysmic force. For a brief moment, the vessel's crystalline barrier shimmered, struggling to hold against the overwhelming assault.

But it wasn't enough. The energy beam pierced through the shields and tore into the hull, igniting a chain reaction within the ship's core.

The hostile vessel erupted in a massive explosion, shards of crystal and debris scattering across the void. The shockwave rippled outward, causing smaller Revenant vessels nearby to falter and adjust their positions.

On the Cleopatra, Cleo's holographic avatar lowered her hand, her expression neutral as she surveyed the aftermath of the strike. The destroyed Revenant vessel had created a gap in their formation, a gap she intended to exploit.

"System, relay the updated battle map to all fleet units," Cleo commanded. "Order all carriers to deploy heavy bombers through the opening. Prioritize their engines."

[Orders acknowledged. Heavy bombers deploying.]

Cleo's consciousness returned to her physical body, her eyes opening as she sat on the throne. She tapped her fingers against the armrest, her mind already racing through potential countermeasures in case the Revenant fleet retaliated.

"Great Rock, the heavy transport ships are under attack. One of them has already been destroyed, and the remaining ones have lost their engines. Should we send reinforcements?" A revenant golem officer asked, his voice calm yet tinged with urgency.

"Hmph," the Great Rock grunted dismissively, his towering crystalline form radiating an aura of authority. "There is no need for you to panic. Tell them to overload their cores and take as many enemy fighters with them as they can. Their sacrifice will not be in vain."

The Great Rock's words carried no sympathy, no hesitation. To him, the lives of their soldiers were mere resources, expendable, and easily replaced. After all, billions of golems could be produced from the next conquered world.

"Understood, Great Rock," the officer said while bowing slightly. He held a glowing crystal in his hand and prepared to transmit the self-destruct orders to the stranded transports.

But just as the officer was about to act, the Great Rock raised a hand, stopping him.

"Wait," he said, his deep, gravelly voice rumbling with intrigue. "Hold your orders. It seems we need to reassess this enemy."

The Great Rock turned toward the side of their fleet, his glowing crystalline eyes narrowing. He could feel the ripple of warp energy disturbances in the void, a signature he had not expected to encounter so soon.

And then, as if summoned by his suspicion, the space around them shimmered and tore open. From the rift, a new fleet emerged, one massive carrier and two hulky destroyers, their hulls gleaming under the dim starlight.

The vessels bore the unmistakable design of the human empire but emblazoned on their hulls was an unfamiliar insignia.

"A pincer for a pincer," Cleo's voice echoed across the communication channels, a sly edge lacing her words. Her holographic image appeared briefly on the Great Rock's command display, her lips curling into a confident smile. "I hope you enjoy my gift."
Enjoy new adventures from empire

The Great Rock stared at the fleet, unbothered by her words. Instead, a deep laugh erupted from him, a chilling sound that reverberated through the crystalline walls of his command chamber.

"Hahaha! Well done, organic life form! You've made this battle far more interesting." His laugh tapered off into a sinister grin. "Prepare to meet your doom, along with your reinforcements. Let's see if your kind can withstand the will of the Revenant Ascendancy!"

Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of the newly arrived human fleet, the tension in the command room was palpable. Officers and crew members worked diligently, their movements sharp and precise as they prepared for battle.

"Saintess, the enemy fleet is within range," one of the officers reported while bowing deeply toward the center of the command room, where a silk-covered throne stood.

His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, not from fear of the battle but from reverence for the figure he served. "The enemy appears to be rotating their main cannons toward us. Should we open fire?"

Silence filled the room for a moment. Behind the veil of alien silk that cloaked the throne, Lilla sat with perfect poise. Her piercing gaze, visible only to those close enough, scanned the tactical display hovering in front of her. She had worked tirelessly for this moment.

It had been months since her fateful encounter with Cleo, and she had wasted no time building her own force of zealots within the human empire. Her charisma, sharp intellect, and divine aura had drawn thousands to her cause.

Two experienced captains of destroyers had sworn loyalty to her, bringing their ships and crews into her fold. She had recruited priests, warriors, and even civilians, all of whom viewed her as a divine emissary, a holy figure sent to lead them into the light.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the persistent nagging of Madam Rose. Lilla smirked slightly at the memory. The fiery matriarch had berated her endlessly, calling her weak for bending to "scum with heads full of shit and dicks."

Madam Rose's words, though harsh, had ignited a fire in Lilla. She'd used that fire to fuel her rise to prominence, forging alliances, gathering resources, and slowly carving out her own domain within the fractured empire.

Madam Rose's funding had been critical in outfitting the fleet, but Lilla's influence had gone further. Civilians inspired by her words had begun donating their savings, swelling the cult's coffers. With these funds, she had created an image of purity, strength, and divinity that spread like wildfire.

Now, she was no longer just a rising figure. She was a symbol. A saintess. A divinity in the eyes of her followers.

Inside the command room, her presence was treated as sacred. Her throne, veiled in alien silk to preserve her "divine purity," was surrounded by several priestesses.

These women, sworn virgins consecrated to the "Goddess of the White Light," chanted softly, their prayers filling the room with an ethereal hum.

From behind the veil, Lilla finally spoke, her voice calm yet commanding. "Hold fire for now. Let them come to us. Position the destroyers to flank their main vessels. If they focus on our flagship, we'll take their center while our pincers close around them. And ensure no one questions our divine mission. There is no room for hesitation."

The officer bowed deeply once again. "Yes, Saintess. Your will shall be done."

As the officers relayed her commands, Lilla leaned back on her throne, her fingers tracing the edges of the silk draped over her lap. The battle ahead would be difficult, but it would also be a statement.

Her lips curled into a faint smile.

"This is no longer just a battle," she whispered to herself. "This is a demonstration of faith."

Outside, the main carrier and its accompanying destroyers began shifting into position, their weapons systems primed and ready. The Revenant fleet loomed ahead, a menacing wall of crystalline vessels preparing to unleash their fury.

But Lilla's forces were undeterred. The faithful did not fear death. They feared failure, and they would not fail their saintess.

The Revenant fleet and Lilla's fleet shifted their formations, both adjusting to gain the upper hand while delivering relentless volleys of turret fire across the void.

The stars were painted with the glow of plasma bolts, energy blasts, and streaks of burning debris as both fleets sent out their fighters to clash in the chaos of the battlefield.

The Revenant fighters, jagged and erratic in their movements, darted through the void like angry hornets, aiming to sabotage the destroyers. Meanwhile, Lilla's fighters, sleek, fast, and disciplined, moved to defend their ships, their movements guided by faith in their goddess and orders from their commanders.

"Red Wing Leader to squad." The commanding voice cut through the squad's comms. "Our mission is to defend the second destroyer. Bring upon them the divine punishment in the name of the Goddess!"

"Understood, Red Leader!" the squad members replied in unison as their formation split into groups of three, each maneuvering to intercept the incoming Revenant fighters.

Among them was Erik, the youngest and newest member of the squad, his fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the controls of his fighter. This was his first live battle, and he could feel the weight of it pressing down on his chest.

"Young Erik!" Red Leader's voice broke through his thoughts, firm yet teasing. "I hope you're ready for your first live battle! Try not to die out there, or your father'll kill me! Just follow my lead and back me up. Got it?"

Erik took a deep breath and forced a laugh, trying to sound braver than he felt. "Understood! I'll always follow your butt, sir!"