Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Cleo ignored the banter; her focus was still on the Syndicate's message. "Regardless of their reputation, we can't afford to ignore this. The Syndicate isn't the kind of organization you say 'no' to lightly. If we decline, they might see it as an insult or worse, a challenge."

Lilla nodded in agreement. "And if we accept, we're essentially tying ourselves to a group of criminals. It's a lose-lose situation unless we find a way to play this smart."

Rex rubbed his temples while feeling the weight of their growing list of responsibilities. "Alright, let's prioritize. First, we finish securing what we came for on this planet. Then we deal with the necrotech world. Once we've got those handled, we'll figure out what to do about the Syndicate. Sound good?"

Cleo and Lilla exchanged glances before nodding. "Agreed," Cleo said while closing the holographic screens. "But Rex, promise me one thing."

"What's that?" he asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Next time someone offers you a planet, let me finish talking before you start celebrating."

Rex chuckled while raising his hands in surrender. "Deal."

As the meeting adjourned, the team dispersed to their respective tasks. Rex stayed behind for a moment while staring at the Syndicate's invitation that was still floating in the air.

His white wings glowed faintly as he muttered to himself, "A whole pleasure world, huh? Too bad it's probably built on blood money."

Mini Cleo floated over, patting him on the shoulder.

{Cheer up, Boss. Maybe they'll throw in a lifetime supply of holographic popcorn.}

Rex smirked. "Your the only one that can eat holographic popcorn, thought...."

While Rex and Mini Cleo were in the middle of one of their usual playful arguments, Rex spotted Cleo walking in the distance, her black hair catching the light as she moved with her usual calm efficiency.@@novelbin@@

"Hey, Cleo!" he called out while waving a hand. "I forgot to ask you something that's been bugging me for days ever since I got back from that fight with the giant golem."

Cleo paused while turning to face him with her signature, composed expression. "Is it about your wings?" she asked, her sharp eyes already scanning the glowing, metallic appendages.

"Yeah," Rex said while poking at one of the wings experimentally. "They used to disappear when I deactivated Overdrive, but now they're just... stuck. Why can't I hide them anymore?"

Cleo stepped closer, her hand transforming into a scanner as she ran it over the wings. The soft hum of the device filled the air as she analyzed the data. After a moment, she nodded, her tone calm but intrigued. "Mmm, it seems you won't be able to hide them anymore."

Rex's eyes widened. "What do you mean? Are you saying I'm stuck with these heavy wings on my back forever?"

"That's correct," Cleo replied, her voice steady. "According to the scan, your wings have fused with your skeletal structure. The nanomachines have essentially created their own bones, integrating them with yours. It's... fascinating, really." She reached out, gently touching one of the wings as if marveling at her own handiwork.

"Fascinating for you, maybe," Rex groaned while dropping to his knees dramatically. "But it's annoying for me! I've been trying to sleep with these hard, metallic wings digging into my back for days. My whole body is sore!"

{Original! My body is also sore!}

Mini Cleo chimed in, popping up on Rex's head and mimicking his dramatic pose.

{Since I share all his senses, I'm suffering too! Can't we just... cut them off?}

Cleo blinked, her composed expression faltering for a moment. "This..."

"Hey! Mini Cleo!" Rex shouted while hitting her forehead with his finger. "Didn't you hear Cleo? These wings are part of my bones now! Cutting them off would hurt like hell!"

{W-what! This is minor bullying!}

Mini Cleo protested while clutching her forehead where Rex had flicked her. Her holographic form flickered as she pouted.

"Minor bullying? You're way older than me! You're basically Cleo but smaller and way more silly!" Rex shot back, poking at her again. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

{Ha!? Now you've done it! Bring it on!}

Mini Cleo shouted while summoning a giant holographic club. She brandished it menacingly, her tiny face scrunched up in determination.

Cleo sighed while stepping between them before things could escalate further. "Okay, okay, that's enough. Both of you, stop it." She crossed her arms; her tone was firm but amused. "I'll see what I can do about your situation, but for now, try not to destroy each other...."

Rex and Mini Cleo both froze, looking at Cleo like scolded children. Mini Cleo's holographic club disappeared with a poof, and Rex scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Cleo," he muttered.

{Yeah, sorry, Original,}

Mini Cleo added while floating down to perch on Rex's shoulder. She crossed her tiny arms and huffed, but there was no real malice in her tone.

Cleo shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Despite the chaos, there was something endearing about the way Rex and Mini Cleo bickered like siblings. "Alright," she said, her voice softening.

"I'll run some more tests and see if we can find a way to make the wings more comfortable or at least less of a nuisance. But for now, try to get used to them. They're part of you now, whether you like it or not."

Rex sighed while standing up and stretching his wings experimentally. "Fine. But if I accidentally knock over another piece of furniture, it's not my fault."

{Or if I accidentally hack into the ship's entertainment system and replace all the music with polka...}

Mini Cleo added, her grin returning.

Cleo raised an eyebrow. "Don't even think about it."

Mini Cleo giggled, and Rex couldn't help but chuckle too. Despite the challenges, there was a sense of camaraderie that made even the strangest situations feel manageable. As Cleo turned to leave, Rex called after her, "Hey, Cleo?"

She paused, glancing back. "Yes?"

"Thanks. For, you know... putting up with us."

Cleo's smile widened, just a little. "Someone has to. Now, go make yourself useful, and try not to break anything."

As she walked away, Rex and Mini Cleo exchanged a look.

{She loves us}

Mini Cleo said confidently.

"Yeah," Rex agreed while grinning. "She just won't admit it."

Rex paused in the hallway, his metallic wings twitching slightly as a thought struck him. "Now that I think about it, I haven't seen Ys for a while. Do you know where she is, Mini Cleo?" he asked while turning toward the direction of Ys's room.

Mini Cleo, perched comfortably on his head, swung her tiny legs as she answered.

{According to the original's memories, she's returned to the oceanic world.}

Rex's brow furrowed. "She left? Why? Did something happen?"

{Well,}

Mini Cleo began speaking, her tone unusually serious.

{the original decided it was safer for her to go back. This misty world has shadows that are... sensitive to the Khryssari. Since we don't know what's else is lurking in the mist, it was better to send her home than risk something dangerous targeting her.}

Rex sighed while running a hand through his hair. "I see... I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to talk to any of them. Speaking of which, do you know where the twins are?"

His mind flashed to Nyra's radiant smile just a few days ago, after they'd made the decision to have the child. The memory brought a faint smile to his lips, but it quickly faded as Mini Cleo's next words hit him.

{Oh, they left too.}

She said it casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

Rex froze mid-step. "Wait, what!? Where did they go? Did they leave with Ys?"

{Not exactly}

Mini Cleo replied, her holographic form flickering as she accessed more data.

{Master received a request from the Blood Assassins under the twins command. They asked to take the twins back to their clan's homeworld.}

Rex's eyes widened, and he slammed his fist against the metallic wall in frustration. The sound echoed down the hallway. "Why would Cleo allow that!? And why didn't she tell me!?"

Mini Cleo flinched at his outburst but quickly recovered. {According to the data I'm allowed to access, it's because Blood Clan pregnancies are extremely rare. It's apparently very difficult for their females to conceive. That's one of the reasons such a powerful race lives in the shadows, they have trouble reproducing. And...}

She hesitated, her tiny form fidgeting.

"And what? Spit it out, Mini Cleo. You know I hate it when you keep secrets from me," Rex said, his voice low but firm. He reached up and gently poked her head with his finger.

Mini Cleo sighed, her holographic shoulders slumping.

{Well... the Blood Assassins said their pregnant women are often hunted by mercenaries and troops from other megacorporations. The Blood Clan is known for producing the best assassins in the galaxy thanks to their incredible strength, near-immortality, and eternal beauty. Pregnant women are especially targeted because... it's easier to train a young Blood than to deal with an adult one.}

Rex's fists clenched, his wings flaring slightly as anger surged through him. "But if that's the case, I could've protected her! I'm not some weakling... I'm a Tier 4 Bionic Warrior! I could've kept her safe!"

Mini Cleo shook her head, her tone softening.

{According to the original, she's safer on the Blood Clan's homeworld. It's protected by a Tier 7 Void Warlord and several Tier 6 Stellar Commanders. Basically, she's safer with them than with us. But they promised to keep in contact and let the twins visit from time to time. The Blood Clan values family bonds, and they won't keep the family apart unless it's absolutely necessary.}

Rex's jaw tightened as he processed the information. While Mini Cleo's explanation sounded nice, something about it didn't sit right with him. "If it isn't necessary... huh?" he muttered, his voice tinged with suspicion.