Intergalactic conquest with an AI

On the flagship's command bridge, the chaos continued as updates poured in from across the fleet.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Sir, we've just received a priority order from high command!" One of the communication officers shouted. "All destroyers are to cease fire on the Tier 4 beast and redirect their attacks toward the Tier 1 and Tier 2 flying beasts. I repeat, cease fire on the Tier 4 beast!"

"What!?" one of the destroyer captains roared in disbelief as he slammed his fist against his chair. "What the hell is high command thinking!? We've got that massive bastard on the ropes, and now they want us to stop!? Are they insane!?"

"Captain!" another officer yelled, his voice frantic. "We're detecting a high-energy reading heading straight toward the Tier 4 beast. The source is... it's another Tier 4 peak entity!"

The captain froze, his face paling. "Another Tier 4...?" He clenched his fists, a sense of dread creeping over him. "Quickly, put it on the screen!"

"Right away, sir!"

The main display lit up, showing a live feed of the battlefield. At first, the captain saw only the chaotic scene they were already familiar with, the Tier 4 beast thrashing against the carrier's tractor beams, the flying beasts swarming the destroyers, and the fighters weaving in and out of combat. But then, his eyes were drawn to a blinding light descending from the sky.

The bridge went silent as everyone stared at the screen, watching the white-and-gold figure dive toward the Tier 4 beast with terrifying speed. Its sword glowed brighter with every passing second, the energy around it growing so intense that even the radar systems began to glitch.

The captain's voice was barely above a whisper. "What... is that?"

"It's... it's him," one of the officers muttered, her voice trembling. "The Bloody Angel."

The saintess, seated calmly in her chair, allowed a faint smile to cross her lips. "Do as the order says," she commanded. "The Tier 4 beast is no longer your concern. Focus all the fire on the flying beasts. Our angel will take care of the rest."

The captain hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "You heard her! Redirect all fire! Target the swarm and clear the skies!"

Below, Rex broke through the last layer of clouds, its wings folding slightly to increase its speed. His glowing silver eyes locked onto the writhing Tier 4 beast below, its massive form still thrashing against the bombardment from the destroyers.

"Cleo," Rex said, his voice calm but firm. "It's time."

"Understood," Cleo replied, her voice echoing through the cockpit. "Let's finish this."

The golden swords circling Rex's halo shimmered with renewed energy, their light blazing like stars. As he dove, the swords shot forward, each one finding its mark on the beast's body.

The Tier 4 beast roared in fury, its massive heads thrashing as it sensed its true enemy approaching.

Rex raised his colossal sword, the blade glowing brighter and brighter as it absorbed energy from his core systems. His voice rumbled like thunder as he charged forward.

"This ends now!"

With a devastating swing of his plasma-clad Claymore, Rex sliced clean through one of the Tier 4 beast's massive heads. The plasma energy crackled violently as it seared through flesh and bone, sending the severed head crashing into the ocean below with a thunderous splash.

The moment the head hit the water, Rex raised his left hand, pointing directly at the creature.

The golden energy swords hovering behind him shot forward like meteors, slamming into the beast's colossal body with explosive force. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air and water, the sheer power of the assault forcing the creature to thrash wildly in pain.

"Rex, stop treating the swords like disposable weapons!" Cleo's voice rang out in his mind, sharp and commanding. "Your energy reserves can't handle the strain. Let me take control of them while you focus on the heads!"

Rex let out a small chuckle, dodging a snapping maw as one of the beast's remaining heads lunged at him. "Fine, fine! I leave them to you, Cleo!" he shouted as he pivoted in midair, his wings glowing as he dodged another incoming attack.

But then something unexpected happened.

The creature's throats began to glow, each one lighting up with a fierce, pulsating energy that sent a shiver down Rex's spine. He narrowed his eyes, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for the worst.

"High energy signatures detected!" Cleo's voice came through urgently. "Rex, stay alert, activating plasma shields!"

Rex's golden halo pulsed, deploying protective barriers around him just as the beast unleashed its next attack. The six remaining heads roared in unison, spewing streams of fire and crackling electricity into the air.

The sheer power of the assault was enough to scorch the skies, creating a hellish storm of energy that filled the battlefield.

"What the hell are those!?" Rex shouted as he twisted and weaved through the chaos, barely avoiding the fiery blasts and bolts of electricity. "Since when can it do that!?"

As he dodged, one of the heads came dangerously close, snapping its jaws inches from his face. Rex snarled and punched it with all his might, his fist glowing with silver energy. The impact sent the head reeling backward with a guttural roar.

"This is a Tier 4 peak beast, Rex," Cleo explained, her tone calm yet firm. "Just as you can manipulate energy, so can it. Its abilities are likely evolving under stress. Proceed with caution; we don't have enough data on its full capabilities."

Cleo's holographic form appeared next to Rex, this time holding Mini Cleo in her arms like a doll. She stroked the tiny AI's head lovingly, rubbing her hair as if soothing a frightened child.

"It's easier said than done, Cleo!" Rex snapped, his voice tinged with frustration as he twisted through another barrage of fire and lightning. "This big sushi has six heads left, and it's hard to dodge all of them!"

His words were cut short as one of the heads finally landed a hit. A burst of fire breath slammed into Rex, the searing heat causing him to falter in midair. The plasma shields absorbed most of the damage, but the force of the attack still knocked him off balance for a few crucial seconds.

"Deploying enhanced plasma shields," Cleo said calmly. From Rex's golden halo, two metallic rhombus-shaped figures emerged, spinning rapidly before projecting a honeycomb-like barrier that completely encased Rex.

Rex grinned as he steadied himself. "Would you look at that? These shields are pretty damn useful! Keep them up, Cleo, I've got an idea!"

He flapped his wings hard, accelerating straight toward the head that had just blasted him with fire. The massive maw opened again, preparing for another attack, but Rex showed no signs of slowing.

"Now it's my turn, you bastard!" he shouted as he plunged directly into the creature's mouth.

The beast's jaws snapped shut, but it was already too late. Rex tore through its throat like a blazing comet, his plasma claymore slicing upward as he emerged from the top of the creature's skull. With a single explosive strike, he decapitated the head from the inside, sending it tumbling into the ocean below.

"That's another one down!" Rex roared triumphantly, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "Only five left!"

The Tier 4 beast let out a deafening, guttural roar, its remaining heads thrashing violently. Blood poured from its massive wounds, staining the ocean beneath it a sickly black. It was clear the battle was no longer in its favor.

Sensing its inevitable defeat, the creature shifted its strategy. Its massive body began to sink, dragging itself toward the ocean depths. The carrier's tractor beams strained against the pull, the immense force causing the entire ship to groan under the pressure.

"Saintess!" a voice crackled over the carrier's communications. "The Tier 4 beast is attempting to retreat into the water! It's pulling the carrier with it; we're losing stability!"

Lilla, seated calmly on the command bridge, opened her eyes. Her gaze was sharp even though she was blind; her voice was steady. "Redirect all energy to the tractor beams. Do not let it escape."

"But Saintess—"

"Do not argue," she cut him off, her tone resolute. "If that creature escapes underwater, it will recover, and all of this will be for nothing. Hold the line, no matter the cost."

On the battlefield, Rex hovered in the air, his silver aura blazing brightly as he watched the beast thrash against its bonds. His wings flared as he turned to Cleo.

"It's trying to retreat," Rex growled. "We can't let it get away."

"Agreed," Cleo said, her holographic form glowing faintly. "But you'll need to move quickly. The tractor beams won't hold it for long, especially not with its size and strength."

Rex's grip on his claymore tightened. His voice was cold, determined. "Then I'll make sure it never gets the chance."

With a powerful flap of his wings, he shot upward like a comet, aiming directly for the beast's massive body.

"Cleo," Rex said, his voice steady but laced with anticipation as he hovered high above the thrashing Tier 4 beast. The wind roared around him, whipping his silver hair and wings as his body glowed faintly from the strain of the ongoing battle.

He tightened his grip on his claymore before letting it dissolve into a shower of golden particles. Both of his hands now clasped together, pointed downward, as if channeling all his energy into a singular focus.

"Let's do that thing you told me about before."