Intergalactic conquest with an AI

"It was me," Ys said, her voice icy and resolute, echoing through the stunned silence.

Her green eyes were sharp and unforgiving. She tilted her head, with a smirk dancing on her lips as she added, "Now, you’d better keep your voice down. I wouldn’t want to disturb the patients."

Carlos snorted, crossing his arms. "Looks like our little ’pocket-sized grandma’ has some bite, huh?"

She gave him a sidelong glance, flashing a smile that was anything but sweet. "Oh, don’t worry, baldy. There’s plenty more where that came from; do you want one too?."

Rex leaned back, arms behind his head, looking perfectly content. "Well, this got interesting. Mind if I just sit back and watch?"

Carlos grinned, pushing him. "Better hold on to that sense of humor, buddy. Looks like we’re in for one hell of a show."

The officer finally managed to take a breath when Ys removed her dagger from his hand. Though the toxins from her blood-coated blade sent pain searing through his hand, they wouldn’t kill him since Ys had full control over her toxins.

She then leaned down, smirking as she wiped her dagger clean on his pristine uniform, adding insult to injury.

The officer’s face twisted in fury. "What are you all doing just standing there? Take her down! Now!" His words came out in a furious spray, eyes wild and rabid, like a cornered animal.

At his command, the allied guards raised their weapons, aiming straight at her. She barely glanced at them, her living armor shimmering around her in a protective layer that would make their guns as effective as water pistols. But Rex was in no mood to let anyone point a gun at his woman.

With a single fluid motion, Rex crafted a massive claymore, the blade materializing in his hand like a bolt from the gods. He hurled it to the ground at the guards’ feet, the sword piercing the earth with a deafening thud and sending up a cloud of red dust. The ground trembled, as if warning everyone in the room.

"What’s the meaning of this, little officer?" Rex’s voice was calm, but his gaze was that of a lion sizing up prey. "Weren’t you looking for me?" He raised his head slightly, almost mockingly. "Ah, where are my manners? I’m Captain Rex of Squad 201, the one you’ve been so eager to meet."

The officer’s rage only deepened, his face turning an alarming shade of purple. "I don’t care who you are! Kill them! Now! They’re just disposable cannon fodder!" His voice cracked as he screamed, blinded by fury and the arrogance of privilege. He was just a spoiled brat masquerading as a commander.

But the injured soldiers around him had heard every word. Slowly, painfully, they began to rise, each one grabbing whatever weapon they could find, pointing their guns, knives, or even broken metal shards toward the allied guards.

In the field, even the wounded carried their weapons at all times since one never knew when the enemy might strike, even in a hospital. And now, staring down these arrogant guards, every battered soldier seemed ready to defend their own with grim determination.

The allied guards looked around nervously, glancing from one defiant face to the next, until one by one, they began lowering their weapons, dropping their guns to the ground, and raising their hands in surrender.

Carlos smirked, clapping Rex on the back. "Didn’t know you were such a heartbreaker with the guys, Captain."

Rex chuckled, crossing his arms with a shrug. "Neither did I. But hey, if it works in our favor, I’ll take it. And just so you know, I’m not into men."

"Oh really?" Carlos laughed. "Last I checked, you haven’t even touched a girl in your entire life."

Rex flashed him a smug grin. "That’s a lie. I have touched a girl before. If you don’t believe me, ask your mother."

Carlos froze for a moment, his jaw dropping before he burst out laughing. "Alright, you got me there, you bastard!"

Ys rolled her eyes, pointing to the officer still sprawled on his knees, glowering at her with raw hatred. "Boys? Maybe not the best time for your little talk," she said dryly.

The officer, who now had a hand throbbing and pride shattered, looked up at her with murder in his eyes. But she met his gaze with icy contempt, her fingers flexing around the hilt of her dagger as if daring him to try something.

As the dust settled and the guards backed away, the scene was that of a lone officer, humiliated and outmatched, surrounded by injured but defiant soldiers, each one ready to stand with their captain. Rex, Ys, and Carlos stood at the center of it all, their bond and defiance a sharp contrast to the officer’s broken arrogance.

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The officer, still trembling, spat on the ground. "This isn’t over. You’ll all pay for this."

Rex threw his head back, laughing. "Hahaha! Of course, this isn’t over! Since you were so eager to see me, you’re coming with us to HQ. Aegis Sentinels, take him down. We’re bringing this one along for the ride."

At his command, two towering Aegis units stepped into the medical bay, their heavy footsteps echoing through the room. They grabbed the officer, one on each arm, hauling him off the floor like he weighed nothing.

"Unhand me! Do you have any idea who I am?" The officer’s voice cracked as he writhed in their grip, his face flushed with rage and humiliation. The Sentinels didn’t respond; their cold, unblinking visors focused straight ahead as they dragged him out.

With a groan, Rex pushed himself up from the bed. Once he was standing, he turned to the nurse, offering her a respectful nod. "Apologies for all the commotion, ma’am. You can relax now; we’re leaving so everyone can get some peace." He flashed her a wink, and she blushed, looking equal parts flustered and relieved as he made his way to the exit.

Outside, Carlos and Ys were waiting for him. Ys crossed her arms, eyeing him with a concerned frown. "Darling, you forgot your armor. This isn’t a safe area, and the air here isn’t compatible for you," she reminded him, worry evident in her tone.

Rex chuckled, reaching over to pinch her cheek playfully. "Thanks for looking out for me, Ys."

As he walked forward, his armor began to materialize piece by piece, the sleek, white plates sliding over his body like liquid metal, then locking into place with a soft, powerful hum. The transformation drew the attention of everyone nearby; soldiers, medics, and even injured fighters paused to watch as the legendary Captain Rex suited up, his presence commanding the entire scene.

Carlos smirked, leaning over to Ys. "Look at him, all dramatic. Can’t just put on his armor in the backroom like a normal guy."

Rex overheard and shot Carlos a sidelong grin. "Oh, I’m sorry, Would you like me to announce my every move? ’Now I’m putting on my right boot, now the left—’"

Carlos snorted. "Nah, keep your theatrics, Captain. They suit you."

Ys rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "If you two are done showing off, we have a prisoner to deliver. And Rex, maybe try not to cause an international incident this time?"

Rex raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Me? Cause an incident? I’m a model citizen!."

The Aegis Sentinels pulled the officer ahead of them, his face a mixture of fury and terror. Rex walked past him, clapping him on the shoulder. "Cheer up, officer. HQ’s going to love hearing all about how you bravely called us ’cannon fodder.’"

The officer sputtered, trying to shake Rex’s hand off his shoulder, but Rex’s grip was unyielding. "You’ll pay for this! My family has connections you can’t even imagine!"

"Oh, I believe it," Rex said smoothly. "Which is why I’m really looking forward to meeting them."

Rex, Ys, and Carlos strode forward, the Aegis Sentinels dragging their fuming prisoner in tow. Around them, the soldiers, medics, and injured warriors watched in awe and amusement, whispers spreading like wildfire.

"Hey, check that out," one of the battered first-wave survivors nudged his companion, nodding toward the small group up ahead.

"What are you talking about?... Wait, isn’t that the captain of Squad 201? What’s he doing here?"

"Dunno. Let’s follow him. There might be something worth seeing."

With that, the two soldiers started moving, trailing behind Rex’s team. As they walked, more soldiers began to notice, joining the quiet procession. By the time Rex’s group reached the improvised HQ tent, they had gathered a small army of curious, battle-scarred onlookers.

But just as the crowd approached the HQ, a squad of guards stepped in their path, weapons raised in warning. An imposing hover tank loomed behind them; its cannon was already pointing directly at the mass of approaching soldiers.

A guard with a bright red helmet stepped forward, his stance tense and unyielding. "Who are all of you? State your purpose for gathering here!"

Rex let out a laugh, just barely managing to keep a straight face. He took a few steps forward, giving the red-helmeted guard an exaggeratedly innocent look. "Oh, me? I’m just the humble captain of Squad 201. You know, a poor, injured soldier just minding my own business in the medical bay."

He sniffled dramatically, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. "...when this guy over here decided to threaten my life. He said he was going to kill me, treating me with guards and status and all that scary stuff. I was so frightened." He threw in a shaky sob for effect.

Carlos’s face was totally in disbelief, his eyes narrowing as he tried to hold back a laugh. Meanwhile, Ys looked like she’d seen a ghost, her jaw hanging open in shock as Rex continued his absurd performance. She was clearly not prepared for this shameless display.

"Are... are you serious right now?" Carlos muttered under his breath, barely able to contain his amusement.

But Rex was committed. He clutched at his chest, looking up at the guards with big, imploring eyes, every bit the picture of an innocent victim. "Please... please protect me from this mean officer. I don’t know what I did to make him so angry!"

Just as he was reaching the peak of his melodramatic nonsense, the flap of the HQ tent burst open, and an imposing figure stepped out, flanked by several elite soldiers from Nexum Dynamics. They wore pitch-black armor, their visors gleaming under the harsh lights, each one radiating a deadly calm.

The new arrival looked between the trembling officer, who was still held firmly by the Aegis Sentinels, and Rex, who had suddenly straightened up, dropping the act as he met the figure’s gaze with a cool stare.