Intergalactic conquest with an AI

After several tense minutes of speeding through the planet's outskirts toward the rendezvous point where they were supposed to hand Erik over to the human empire envoy, Bloody, the ever-vigilant AI bat, delivered a grim update.

"Warning: all combat drones dispatched from the Blood Legion have been destroyed," Bloody announced, its calm and robotic tone making the news no less foreboding.

"Analysis suggests an 85% probability that the enemy deployed defense fighters to neutralize the drones. Current probability of hostile forces pursuing this vehicle: high."

Lyra groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Isn't this a little too extreme for a kidnapping case?" She said with her voice dripping with sarcasm as she reached into her holster and began prepping her handguns.

"I mean, it's not like we abducted some high-ranking noble. He's just a regular human!"

Nyra smirked but kept her eyes on the dirt road ahead, expertly maneuvering the car around bumps and potholes. "Oh, sis, you're so naive," she teased.

"The only logical explanation? Corruption. High-ranking officials are probably on someone's payroll. That, or someone really doesn't like us."

Lyra sighed, pulling up the satellite feed on the car's display. "Whatever the reason, we've got bigger problems now. Start slowing down; we're trapped."

Nyra's grin faltered. "Trapped? What do you mean, trapped?"

"Look." Lyra zoomed in on the satellite image, revealing a sprawling military blockade stretching across several kilometers of their route. Dozens of armed vehicles, personnel, and barricades had been positioned in a coordinated effort to cut off their escape.

"Ugh, seriously?!" Nyra groaned, her frustration evident. "Next time, let's beg Master to give us strategy lessons or something. I feel so dumb right now!"

Lyra gave her sister a withering look. "It's not like Master hasn't tried to teach us strategy. You're the one who falls asleep every time."

Nyra clicked her tongue in annoyance but didn't respond. She began to slow the car, gradually easing off the gas as they approached the blockade. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the distant hum of transport helicopters and the rumble of military engines.

A few minutes later, the supercar came to a slow stop just meters away from the imposing military barricade. The moment the car halted, dozens of armed soldiers surged forward, surrounding it with weapons drawn.

The blinding floodlights from the vehicles and helicopters bathed the scene in harsh light, casting eerie shadows.

"This is the commander of the planetary defensive force!" a booming voice echoed from a nearby loudspeaker. "Turn off the vehicle and exit with your hands up, terrorists! Any sudden movements, and we will open fire!"

Nyra, completely unfazed, burst into laughter from inside the car. "Did you hear that, sis? We're terrorists now!" Her voice was light and melodic, carrying a playful tone that only served to infuriate the soldiers outside.

The car doors slowly opened, and two figures emerged into the floodlights. Both wore college uniforms, their silver hair shimmering in the artificial glow. But what truly caught the soldiers attention were the black-and-red face masks covering their lower faces, glowing ominously in the dark night.

The twins stepped forward confidently, their hair swirling in the wind created by the hovering helicopters above.

"Nyra, stop teasing them," Lyra said in an exasperated tone, her eyes scanning the soldiers and their weapons. "I really don't want to get shot tonight."

"On your knees! Now! This is your first and last warning!" The commander shouted, his voice trembling with anger and authority.

Nyra tilted her head slightly, her crimson eyes gleaming mischievously behind her mask. "Hah! I have a better idea," she said with her voice tone dripping with mockery. She raised her hand and made a dismissive gesture. "Why don't you all drop to your knees and praise me as your queen?"

The commander's face turned beet red with rage. "What did you just say?!" he roared, barely able to contain himself.

"You heard me," Nyra said, her voice singing and mocking. She made the gesture again, this time more exaggerated. "Kneel, peasants!"

The soldiers froze, momentarily stunned by her audacity. The commander, however, was not amused. "SHOOT THEM! DO IT NOW!" he screamed, raising his hand to signal his troops.

But before the words had fully left his mouth, his legs buckled beneath him as if an invisible force had struck him. His body dropped to the ground with a loud thud, and he found himself kneeling involuntarily.

"W-what the—?" The commander's eyes were wide with shock as he tried to process what had just happened.

"Commander!" one of the soldiers shouted, panic evident in his voice. "What's happening?!"

"What did you do to him?!" another officer yelled, his laser rifle trembling in his hands as he aimed it at the twins.

Lyra stepped forward, her movements calm and deliberate. She shook her head as if disappointed. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she said, her voice smooth and taunting. "You're dumber than you look, and trust me, that's saying something."

Nyra clapped her hands together, her voice filled with faux excitement. "Oh, look at that, sis! They brought us toys to play with!" She motioned toward the trembling officers, her crimson eyes sparkling with dangerous amusement.

Lyra snapped her fingers, and in an instant, the remaining officers fell to their knees as well, their weapons clattering to the ground. The soldiers looked around in confusion and terror, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Out of the darkness, a figure began to materialize. A blood-red sword appeared first, its glowing edges slicing through the shadows.

Then came the figure wielding it, a humanoid clad in dark red armor, their cape billowing in the night wind. The figure's helmet had glowing crimson slits for eyes, giving it an otherworldly, menacing aura.

The soldiers gasped in fear as the armored figure strode forward, its presence suffocating.

Nyra leaned toward Lyra and whispered playfully, "I love when you do that. You're way scarier than me."

Ignoring her sister, Lyra crouched down next to the kneeling commander in a blur of movement, her crimson eyes locking onto his. "Now," she said softly, her voice almost sweet.

"Can we take a moment to talk like civilized people? I think there's been a little... misunderstanding."

The commander tried to speak, but no words came out. The overwhelming presence of the armored figure and the calm, predatory gaze of the silver-haired girl crouched next to him robbed him of any sense of control.

"You'll answer my questions, won't you?" Lyra asked, tilting her head slightly. Her tone was polite, but the unspoken threat behind her words was impossible to miss.

The commander nodded weakly, sweat dripping down his face.

"Good boy," Lyra said with a small, satisfied smile. Behind her, Nyra grinned wickedly, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Well then, this is all just a big misunderstanding," Lyra said innocently, her crimson eyes gleaming as she knelt casually in front of the commander.

But the commander wasn't buying it. His face turned red with anger, and he shouted with all the authority he could muster.

"A misunderstanding?! You call this NOTHING?! Assaulting minors, kidnapping one, releasing military-grade drones in the middle of the city, and shooting down TWO of our transport ships! Is THAT nothing to you?! Do you think we're blind?!"

Nyra couldn't hold it in. She burst into laughter, leaning lazily against the hood of their sleek supercar like she didn't have a care in the world. "Haha, he's got you there, sis!" she said between fits of giggles. "I mean, technically, we did do all that stuff, right? Hahaha!"

Lyra whipped around to glare at her sister, her face flushed with frustration. "Sis! You're not being helpful!"

With lightning speed, she darted over to Nyra and delivered a sharp, resounding SMACK to her sister butt.

"OUCH!" Nyra yelped, bolting upright and rubbing her sore butt with both hands. "Why would you DO that?! My poor butt's gonna be red for days!"

"Serves you right," Lyra huffed, crossing her arms and pouting. "That's what you get for always ruining my plans!"

The soldiers watched the exchange in stunned silence, their weapons still raised but their resolve clearly shaken. Stay connected via empire

The commander, however, wasn't deterred. He sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Hahaha! Do you really think this childish act is enough to make me back down?!" he roared, his eyes blazing with defiance.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"You're nothing but a pair of clowns! Who cares if you've got me and my officers kneeling? We will NEVER surrender to a couple of terrorists! The moment you kill me, every soldier on this planet will hunt you down! They'll chase you to the ends of the galaxy if they have to!"

Nyra, still rubbing her sore backside, tilted her head curiously as she listened to the commander's outburst. Then her lips curled into a wicked grin, her playful demeanor giving way to something much darker.

"Oh? And what makes you think you can kill us?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

The commander's laugh was filled with manic defiance. "HA! You're just two bitches assassins that are too scared to show their faces! You might have gotten lucky so far, but numbers don't lie. We have you surrounded! My men will overwhelm you with sheer force! So go ahead! kill me! Let the hunt begin!"

"Numbers?" Nyra's grin widened, and she stepped closer to the commander, her boots crunching softly against the dirt. "What numbers?"

Before the commander could respond, Nyra grabbed the back of his head with one hand, her grip like iron. "Do you really think you're alone out here?" she whispered mockingly, leaning in close before yanking his head upward, forcing him to look at the night sky.

The commander's defiance faltered as his eyes widened in shock. High above, something massive was descending from the heavens, wreathed in fire. It was moving fast, its fiery silhouette cutting through the darkness like a comet.

"What... what is that?" the commander stammered, his voice trembling for the first time.