Intergalactic conquest with an AI

The new enemy moved through the Aegis units like they were nothing more than paper tiggers. Every minute, another sentinel went down in a burst of dark smoke.

This creature, whatever it was, struck with impossible speed, phasing in and out of the shadows, attacking in a blur, and vanishing before the Aegis units could even register its presence. Within minutes, all the screens showing the sentinels' POVs had gone dark.

Rex and Cleo exchanged a long, grim look.

"So... it seems like the boss decided to find us first,"

Rex muttered.

Cleo nodded, her eyes fixed on the last bits of footage. "

Looks that way. This thing... this 'Void Crawler' it''s practically a shadow. It can slip in and out of the material plane, making it nearly impossible to hit. Tracking it down is going to be... difficult."

"Perfect,"

Rex sighed, cracking his knuckles. "

Guess it's up to us now. Let's get Squad 201 ready. Too bad the Mauler Juggernaut can't fit into the subway tunnels; otherwise, we could just roll in there and squash this thing."

As he turned to head down to the planet, Cleo grabbed his arm.

"Hold on a second, Rex,"

she said, wrinkling her nose

. "You need a shower first. Your hair is a mess, and you smell like... well, zombie brain."

Rex raised an eyebrow, looking mock-offended

. "Excuse me? I smell way better than you."

He plucked a stray chunk of zombie brain from her shoulder and flicked it away.

Cleo rolled her eyes.

"Which is why I'm taking a shower too."

She led him down the corridor to the private shower room, a luxurious area Cleo had personally customized. The space was practically a spa, with a massive hot tub that looked more like a small pool, statues of exotic birds carved from rare stones, and intricate mosaics on the walls. It was obvious this was Cleo's personal sanctuary, designed for both herself and Rex.

Inside, a small squad of maid bots, dressed in elegant Grecian-style tunics, hurried over to greet them. They bustled around, helping Rex and Cleo undress with quiet efficiency before retreating to the side, standing by in case they were needed.

Rex gave Cleo a sidelong glance, then smirked. Without warning, he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her toward the waterfall shower like a princess.

"What exactly are you doing?"

Cleo asked, trying to sound annoyed, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.

"Oh, nothing much,"

Rex replied, grinning.

"Just carrying my personal maid to make sure she can help me wash my hair and back. You know I can't reach back there."

He set her down gently on a bench made of some rare, polished stone that felt like smooth silk under his hands.

Cleo sighed but didn't protest.

"Fine, but let's get this over with."

She lathered up her hands and started washing his hair, her fingers surprisingly gentle as they worked through the tangles. She moved with her usual precision, every movement calm and controlled, as if this were just another mission.

Rex closed his eyes, feeling her fingertips massage his scalp, her touch somehow both professional and... warm.

When she finished, Rex stood and gave her a playful look

. "Alright, now it's your turn. I can't leave a princess like yourself to wash up alone; where's the chivalry in that?"

Cleo raised an eyebrow, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. "

And making this princess wash your body wasn't a disgrace?"

Rex waved a hand dismissively

. "Minor details. Now then, my princess, may this humble servant be permitted to wash your perfect hair and radiant self."

Cleo let out a small laugh, unable to hide her smile.

"If you must."

Rex gave a dramatic bow, the kind he'd seen servants do in the black market, and gently led her to sit on the bench.

He carefully lathered her hair, his hands moving gently through her black locks, washing with a surprising amount of care. Cleo's cheeks turned pink, the warmth in her eyes softening her usual cool expression.

When he'd finished, she glanced at him, still blushing.

"You know, this is highly inappropriate for a princess and her commander."

Rex smirked.

"Good thing we're both a little less 'proper' than that, don't you think?"

Cleo chuckled, her voice softer than usual.

"Yes… I suppose so."

For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence, surrounded by the sound of cascading water and the gentle warmth of the bath. Out there, they were commanders facing down monsters in a world on the brink. But here, they could just be... themselves.

After Rex finished washing Cleo's hair, he started on her body, his fingers tracing over her soft, warm skin. Cleo gave a little jump every time he touched her with a cute, almost rabbit-like reaction that stirred something in Rex—something like a dormant sense of control and playfulness.

Deciding to tease her, Rex let his fingers drift slowly from her neck down to her hips, moving as if he were playing a piano.

"Ah..." she

bit her lip, clearly unused to this kind of touch. She'd mentioned before that her people, the Kaelzar, had long abandoned natural reproduction, relying instead on gestational chambers.

For them, physical contact didn't hold any deeper meaning; even a simple hug was rare. Romance, desire... those things were practically nonexistent.

Relationships were functional, aimed at producing children for specific roles, like generals or scientists. Nothing like the feelings Rex was awakening in Cleo or the way her heart raced under his touch.

Everything felt strange and new, even a little overwhelming. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment, letting Rex explore her body. There was a mix of fear and excitement inside her, a thrill in letting go.

Rex's hands slid down from her hips to her thighs, pressing into her soft skin a bit more firmly, his fingers sinking in gently.

He then opened her legs slowly, making her heart run even faster than before. He then moved one of his hands toward the middle of her legs slowly, getting closer and closer with each passing second.

Cleo suddenly placed her hand on Rex's, her face softened but uncertain.

"Wait, Rex… I'm sorry. I… I'm not ready for this,"

she said, lowering her head, feeling a pang of guilt, as though she might be letting him down.

Seeing her hesitation, Rex smiled gently and placed his other hand on her head, ruffling her hair softly

. "It's okay, Cleo,"

he said warmly.

"I'd never want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Take all the time you need."

Cleo looked up, a grateful smile touching her lips.

"Thank you, Rex. I... I appreciate that more than you know."

He chuckled, brushing a thumb across her cheek.

"What kind of guy do you think I am? I'm not some jerk who's just trying to... well, you know."

His eyes sparkled with his usual humor as he added,

"Besides, we've got more important things to do, like testing out that ridiculously big bathtub of yours."

Cleo's pout appeared instantly.

"It's not ridiculously big! I made it that size in case you ever got bigger somehow. Even I'll be taller in the future."

She crossed her arms, huffing, which only made Rex laugh.

"Alright, alright, you win,"

he said, still laughing as he carried her over to the massive tub. They settled onto the wide steps leading into the steaming water, with Cleo seated comfortably against him.

"Mind if I take a little rest?"

She murmured, her voice softer now.

"I've forgotten what it's like to actually need sleep... I haven't rested in four days."

"Go ahead. Rest as long as you need,"

Rex replied, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.

"I'll take you to bed after, so don't worry."

Cleo sighed contentedly, closing her golden eyes as she rested her head on his chest, a peaceful smile forming on her face. She felt safe in his arms, the gentle warmth of the bath soothing her. For once, she let go of the weight of her responsibilities, just enjoying the moment.

After a while, when Rex noticed her breathing had deepened, he carefully lifted her from the bath. The maid bots hurried over, ready to help, but Rex waved them off with a smile.

"Just bring our bathrobes,"

he whispered, not wanting to disturb Cleo's sleep.

Once the maids returned, Rex gently wrapped Cleo in her robe, then allowed them to help him into his own. Cradling her against his chest, he carried her through the quiet corridors toward their sleeping quarters.

Their room was cozy, echoing the style of the mansion back in the underground city, a touch of home amidst the coldness of the ship. Rex lay down on the bed, still holding Cleo close, and settled her comfortably on top of him.

As he closed his eyes, he felt the steady rhythm of her breathing, and a sense of calm washed over him. For now, with the threats of the world outside, this small moment of peace was enough.

Rex looked down at Cleo, her peaceful face resting against his chest. Somehow, in sleep, she was even more breathtaking.

Her lips were parted slightly, and a few damp strands of black hair clung to her cheek, catching the faint glow of the room's soft lighting. She looked like something out of a dream, an ethereal beauty, serene and unguarded in his arms.

Gently, he reached for her hand, marveling at how small and delicate it felt in his. He lifted it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her fingertips. The gesture felt intimate and comforting, and without a word spoken, it said everything he wanted her to know.

As sleep began to pull him under, Rex wrapped one arm around her, holding her close. With their fingers intertwined, he closed his eyes, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his. In that quiet, stolen moment, all the battles and threats of the outside world faded away.

And for the first time in a long time, Rex fell asleep with a peaceful smile, feeling like he was exactly where he was meant to be.