Intergalactic conquest with an AI

The battlefield was a storm of clashing steel, roaring energy, and the cries of combatants. Cleo's forces, though outnumbered, fought with a desperate determination.

While the pirate elites, emboldened by their numerical advantage, pressed the attack with relentless ferocity. But Cleo's resolve was unshakable, even as her energy levels dwindled and her body screamed for rest.

"Even so, we will have to do with the little strength we have," Cleo said with her voice being steady despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "Otherwise, we will have to bombard the planet from orbit and start over again, or abandon the expedition completely."

She closed her eyes while taking a deep breath to steady herself. The stakes were too high to falter now.

Ys, with her massive serpentine body coiled protectively around Cleo, hissed in agreement. "It's four against eight... we'll have to take care of two each. Do you guys think you can handle it?" she asked while her glowing green eyes flicked to Lilla and her brother. "And no offense, Cleo, but you're not even half as strong as a normal Tier 3."

Cleo nodded; her expression was grim. "Of course, I'm not as strong as a normal Tier 3 warrior. My specialty is in AI creation and optimization, not in fighting. Even so, I still have a way to fight. Everyone, use all your strength to hold them off. If we can keep them occupied long enough, the Kaelzar legions will be able to wipe out the rest of the pirates."

With that, Cleo took to the sky while her golden eyes glowed brighter as she activated her overdrive mode. The air around her crackled with energy as six swords materialized in a circle behind her, their blades gleaming with a deadly light.

[Activating overdrive... status all yellow... changing to limited overdrive mode... success... Battle Maiden mode activated.]

For a brief moment, Cleo's power surged to a Tier 3 peak, nearly touching the threshold of Tier 4. She was a force to be reckoned with, her presence commanding the battlefield as she launched herself at the pirate elites.

"Everyone, attack!" she shouted with her voice cutting through the chaos. The six swords around her shot forward like guided missiles, with their trajectories being precise and deadly.

"Hahah, here she comes! Move aside, she's mine!" one of the pirate elites shouted while charging toward Cleo with reckless abandon. But before he could reach her, Ys's massive serpent form lunged at him with her fangs bared.

The pirate elite barely had time to raise his weapon in defense; his focus split between the incoming swords and the monstrous snake.

The other pirate elites reacted quickly, deflecting Cleo's swords and forcing Ys back with a coordinated counterattack. "Hahah, it seems you tried to be all cool and all that, but you almost got your ass handed to you by this little girl and her pet," one of them taunted while his voice dripped with mockery.

"Who cares about that? Go and beat the annoying flies! I'll take care of that beautiful girl; I know our love is mutual! How else would she be focused only on me?" The first pirate elite retorted while his face twisted into a grotesque, leering grin.

The battle raged on, with both sides unleashing their full strength. Cleo's forces fought valiantly, but the pirate elite's numbers and stamina began to tell.

Despite their superior skill and coordination, Cleo's team was exhausted and their energy reserves were nearly depleted. The pirate elites, on the other hand, were still fresh, their laughter and taunts growing louder as they pressed their advantage.

Cleo's overdrive mode, once a beacon of hope, began to falter. Her power level dropped precipitously, from Tier 3 peak to Tier 3 low, as her energy reserves dwindled.

Energy levels are at 15%. Overdrive mode has been deactivated.

{Tsk! Why now of all times?!}

Cleo thought while frustration was boiling within her. She tried to retreat, to regroup, but the pirate elite she had been fighting sensed her weakness. With a triumphant roar, he leaped into the air, his fist slamming into her wings with devastating force.

Cleo's wings flared, shielding her from the worst of the impact, but the blow still sent her crashing to the ground. Her energy shields, which were deactivated to conserve power, offered no protection. Pain shot through her body as she hit the ground.

The pirate elite landed nearby, with his grin widening as he approached her. "Looks like the beauty's all out of tricks," he sneered while raising his weapon for the final blow.

But before he could act, a deafening crash erupted as something hurtled toward him at blinding speed.

The impact was colossal, sending a shockwave rippling through the air that flung Cleo across the ground like a ragdoll while her body tumbled for meters before skidding to a halt. Gritting her teeth, she activated her scanner vision, her mechanical eyes flickering as they analyzed the chaos.

[Scanning complete: Battle Suit Argos.]

{Argos... Carlos!?}

[Enemy eliminated. Locating the nearest threat... Threat located. Proceeding to exterminate.]

As the dust began to settle, Argos emerged with its thrusters igniting with a low hum. The battle suit's metallic frame gleamed ominously as it lunged toward the remaining Elite pirate, fists swinging with brutal precision.

The pirate barely had time to react before Argos was on him, delivering blow after devastating blow.

"What the hell is this thing!? Someone help me! Boss!" The pirate Elite screamed while his voice cracked under the sheer force of the assault. His pleas were drowned out by the relentless pounding of Argos fists, each strike echoing like a hammer against steel.

"Hey, you! Ugly metal can! Let go of my man right now!" A booming voice cut through the chaos. The pirate boss descended with his boots hovering inches above the ground as if defying gravity itself. His presence was commanding, his cybernetic enhancements glowing faintly under the dim light.

[Scan complete.]

Threat Level: Tier 4 (Mid).

Warning: Individual possesses advanced cybernetic systems. Capabilities include enhanced strength, speed, agility, and potential energy field manipulation. Proceed with caution.

"Carlos, be careful! That guy's a Tier 4 Mid!" Cleo's voice crackled through Argo's communication system with urgency lacing her words.

"Don't worry, Cleo," Carlos replied, with his tone being oddly calm despite the chaos. "Rex sent me ahead. He said he'd make some 'dramatic entrance' or whatever. I'm just here to warm things up."

Even as he spoke, Argos continued its merciless assault on the Elite pirate, now operating on autopilot. Carlos might as well have been watching a brutal action movie.

"What are you talking about?" Cleo asked while her eyes darted between Carlos and the looming pirate boss.

"Just look up," Carlos said with a smirk. "Trust me, Rex doesn't do subtle."

"HEY! Can you two shut the hell up? I'm standing right here, and you're ignoring me like I'm some damn background character! I'll kill you both for the disrespect!" The pirate boss shouted out with his voice dripping with venom.

In one swift motion, he drew a sleek laser rifle from his back, its barrel glowing ominously as he took aim at Cleo and without hesitation, he fired.

The air sizzled as the laser shot streaked toward Cleo. She barely managed to raise her energy shield in time, the barrier flickering weakly as it absorbed the blast. But her energy reserves were critically low, and the shield began to crack under the relentless assault.

"Cleo! Hold on, I'm coming!" Carlos shouted with his voice being strained as he tried to push through to her. But two Tier 3 Elites intercepted him; their movements were swift and calculated.

One was Lilla's brother opponent, with his cybernetic arm crackling with energy, while the other was the pirate Carlos had supposedly taken down earlier and that now it was very much alive and furious.

"Bwahaha! I love it when you struggle! It's like music to my ears!" The Elite pirate cackled with his laughter being maniacal as he continued to rain fire on Cleo. Her body was still repairing itself from the earlier blow, leaving her immobilized and vulnerable.

"You've got some nerve shooting at someone else woman!" A thunderous voice boomed, cutting through the chaos like a blade.

The sound was deep, resonant, and carried an authority that made even the pirate boss pause. The mist around them seemed to part as the voice echoed, and for a moment, the battlefield fell silent.

Cleo, while inside her energy shield that flickered and cracked under the relentless barrage of laser fire, managed a weak smile. She knew that voice.

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Then, from above, a figure descended like a comet, wreathed in crackling energy. The ground trembled as he landed, the force of his impact sending shockwaves through the area. The mist cleared, revealing Rex, his presence commanding and his eyes blazing with fury.

The pirate boss, momentarily stunned, quickly regained his composure. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?" he snarled while raising his laser rifle and firing a burst of shots at Rex. The beams struck Rex's armor, but they barely left a scratch. The pirate boss's eyes widened in disbelief.

Rex didn't even flinch. He simply raised a hand, and a surge of energy erupted from his palm, deflecting the next volley of shots with ease. "I'm the one who's going to end your life," he said with his voice being calm yet laced with deadly intent.

Cleo, still on the ground, watched as Rex stepped between her and the pirate boss, his massive frame shielding her from further harm. "Carlos, get her out of here," Rex ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.@@novelbin@@