Legacy of the Void Fleet

Kallus nodded, his confidence growing. ”Red Empress,” he said, turning to her, ”arrange a meeting with the strongest and most capable individuals from each group.”

The Red Empress bowed slightly. ”Of course, Master.”

Kallus activated the teleportation system, disappearing back to the command center. The Red Empress, now alone with the crew, addressed them with a commanding yet gentle tone. ”Leaders of each group, step forward.”

Eight individuals stepped forward, each exuding an aura of authority and competence. The Red Empress snapped her fingers, and a small watch materialized on each crew member’s wrist. ”These devices are connected to the ship’s navigation and communication systems,” she explained. ”The rest of you, follow the directions displayed on your watches to find your assigned cabins. Dismissed.”

As the crowd dispersed, the Red Empress teleported herself and the eight group leaders to the command center, where Kallus awaited them.

Kallus stood from his command seat, smiling warmly. ”Welcome to the command center. Please introduce yourselves.”

The first to step forward was a man with sharp features and confident eyes. ”Fleet Commander, my name is Tyler. I am the Head Researcher. Under my leadership are 999 scientists and engineers.”

Next came a woman with striking white hair and a calm demeanor. ”I am Jesika, the Chief Doctor of the fleet. I oversee 500 medical professionals.”

A tall man in a military uniform with a badge marking him as a space fighter pilot stepped forward. ”Ezra Tanno, Commander of the Fighter Division. I lead a team of 1,000 pilots and support personnel.”

Following him was a man with jet-black hair and piercing eyes. ”I am Marcus, Commander of the Armed Forces. I lead 4,000 soldiers.”

Then stepped forward a woman with radiant blue hair and an aura of authority that Kallus instinctively felt connected to. ”Fleet Commander, my name is Emma. I am the Grandmaster Knight. Under my command are 19 Grandmaster Knights, 80 Master Knights, 150 Elite Knights, 250 knights, and 500 Apprentice Knights. We are the fleet’s special forces, capable of sensing and absorbing mana an application of Dark Matter.”

A man with dark hair but vibrant blue eyes followed. ”Fleet Commander, I am Damien, Commander of the Mecha Division. I oversee 500 mecha pilots and engineers.”

Next was a slightly older man with a rugged appearance. ”My name is Evans. I am the Fleet’s Resource and Industrial Head. I lead a team of 1,500 engineers, miners, and workers.”

Finally, a petite woman with a bright smile stepped forward. ”Fleet Commander, I am Liliana, the Chief Chef. I oversee a culinary team of 500 to ensure the fleet is well-fed and energized.”

Kallus looked at each of them, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and excitement. ”Thank you all for your introductions. I am honored to lead such an extraordinary group. Together, we will achieve greatness.”

The eight leaders bowed respectfully, their determination clear. With his core team assembled, Kallus felt the first real step toward his destiny had been taken.

Kallus leaned back in his command seat, his eyes scanning the eight leaders who now stood before him. ”Gentlemen and ladies, I’ve come to know your names and roles, but I am deeply curious about each of you—your capabilities, your divisions, and what you bring to this fleet. However,” he paused, ”those discussions will have to wait. There’s much to do.”

He turned to the Red Empress, a faint smile playing on his lips. ”Red Empress, take us to the discussion room.”

The Red Empress bowed slightly. ”As you wish, Master.” With a wave of her hand, the group disappeared from the command center and reappeared in a pristine conference room.

The room was sleek and futuristic, its polished white surfaces gleaming under the soft lighting. At the center stood a circular table with nine seats, the largest and most commanding chair reserved for Kallus. The eight leaders took their places around the table, while the Red Empress stood behind Kallus, her holographic form glowing faintly.

”Red Empress,” Kallus said, ”show us where we are.”

The Red Empress raised her hand, and a hologram materialized above the table, displaying a detailed view of the surrounding space. The image revealed an asteroid-rich sector not far from a familiar solar system.

”Master,” the Red Empress began, ”we are currently located in a sector near the solar system containing Earth. Based on my calculations, Earth is in the year 2026. Their space exploration has expanded significantly—they’ve even reached the Alpha Centauri star system. Their progress, while still rudimentary compared to ours, is impressive for their species and timeline.”

Kallus nodded, unsurprised. The Red Empress had already informed him of this earlier. ”While we possess the power to dominate and destroy, brute force is not the path I wish to take. If we aim to build an empire, we need people—loyal, willing individuals. Earth is the perfect source, but forceful methods will only sow dissent and chaos. We must approach peacefully, offering a better future to those willing to join us.”

The leaders listened intently, their expressions thoughtful.

”Before we proceed toward Earth,” Kallus continued, ”I want each of you to focus on organizing your divisions and familiarizing yourselves with one another. This fleet is a team, and teamwork is essential.”

He turned to Ezra Tanno. ”Commander Tanno, I am assigning one of the Antares-Class Battleships to you and your battalion. Lead it with honor.”

Ezra saluted. ”Understood, Fleet Commander.”

Kallus’s gaze shifted to Emma. ”Grandmaster Knight Emma, the second Antares-Class Battleship will be under your command, along with your battalion of knights.”

Emma bowed slightly, her piercing blue eyes meeting his. ”It will be an honor, Fleet Commander.”

Kallus then addressed Evans, the resource head. ”Evans, I want our mining machines deployed immediately. Begin extracting resources from the nearby asteroids and refining them in our ship’s facilities. Once we have sufficient materials, activate the Dark Molecular Printers in the shipyards. Start producing starships. With the speed of the printers, an Antares-Class ship can be completed in a week. Within a month and a half, we’ll be ready to move toward Earth.”

Evans nodded. ”Consider it done, Fleet Commander.”

Finally, Kallus turned to Tyler, head of the R&D department. ”Tyler, I want your team to begin reconstructing the technologies stored in our systems—designs from the simulations and games I played back on Earth. Those technologies will serve as the foundation for our fleet’s advancement. Everything must be ready by the time we leave this sector.”

Tyler smiled confidently. ”We’ll get it done, Fleet Commander.”

Kallus leaned back, his expression calm yet determined. ”This is the beginning of our journey, but I promise you all—together, we will forge an empire that will echo through the stars.”

The leaders nodded in unison, a mix of resolve and anticipation in their eyes.