Chapter 8: Ch-8 The Fleet
With eight Antares-Class Battleships now operational, in addition to the Obliterator Dreadnought and the two original battleships—renamed the Super Antares-Class Battleships—Kallus now commanded a fleet of 11 warships.
He had 15 days left to complete his mission, and he calculated that the two internal shipyards of the Dreadnought could produce four more Antares-Class Battleships within that time. That would bring his total fleet to 15 ships. As the thought of his fleet heading toward Earth flickered in his mind, Kallus shook himself from his daydream. He refocused on the task at hand: learning and absorbing as much knowledge as possible in the limited time remaining. He knew that once the deadline passed, his responsibilities would only grow more demanding.
Time flowed relentlessly, and soon two weeks had passed. From the command center of the Dreadnought, Kallus watched through the high-quality holographic interface, which provided a 360-degree external and internal view of the fleet. The 15th Antares-Class Battleship emerged majestically from the massive gates on the lower section of the Dreadnought. As it moved into open space, its antimatter power generator roared to life, followed by the activation of its Super Light-Speed Drive. The ship smoothly moved into formation, joining the fleet.
Now, the fleet stood fully assembled:
At the center was the Obliterator Dreadnought, a massive behemoth of power and technology.
At the lead were the two Super Antares-Class Battleships, their upgraded systems shining as a beacon of Kallus's growing strength.
On either side of the Dreadnought, in perfect symmetry, were the 12 Antares-Class Battleships, six on each flank.
As the final ship took its place, Kallus heard a soft ding—the sound of a mission notification. The system revealed that his mission was complete, and the unknown reward for the first mission was now visible.
The rewards were:
Supreme God Body
Photographic Memory
Curious and eager, Kallus accepted the rewards. Almost instantly, a surge of immense energy engulfed his body. A barrier materialized around him, forming a five-meter protective shield to contain the chaotic energy and prevent destruction.
What felt like hours passed as Kallus endured the transformation. His body adjusted to the energy coursing through him, every cell rejuvenated and strengthened. When the process finally ended, Kallus felt profoundly different.
He felt His affinity with Dark Matter had grown exponentially. He could now sense, control, and even absorb it in quantifiable amounts.
His body felt incredibly powerful, as if he had transcended mortal limits.
His memory had become perfect, recalling everything he had learned during his deep sleep sessions with crystal-clear clarity.
Testing his newfound abilities, Kallus spoke aloud, "Red Queen, what's happening to me?"
The Red Queen's voice answered with measured calm, "Master, this is a complete enhancement of your body, bestowed by the Supreme Being. However, you must exercise caution. The Supreme Being advises you to familiarize yourself with your new form and refrain from actively absorbing Dark Matter until you complete the next mission. For now, allow your body to absorb it passively."
Kallus nodded, processing her words. Though his newfound power was exhilarating, he knew better than to rush into using abilities he didn't yet fully understand. A faint smile played on his lips as he glanced at the fleet assembled before him.
Kallus adjusted his thoughts and asked, "How much time has passed since I began assimilating the Supreme God Body?"
The Red Queen's calm voice replied, "It has been five hours, Master."
Kallus's eyes widened in shock. He sighed and shook his head. "Five hours… That's longer than I expected," he murmured. Turning to the Red Queen, he added, "Have the ship captains, commanders, and other key personnel assemble in the main hangar. I have an important announcement to make."
The Red Queen nodded. Closing her eyes briefly, she interfaced with the ship's systems and said, "They have been informed, Master. They will be teleported to the main hangar using the Obliterator's transportation system."
Kallus nodded in acknowledgment, marveling once more at the incredible technologies integrated into his flagship by the Supreme Being. The teleportation system, along with its countless other features, never ceased to amaze him. Though his R&D department worked tirelessly, understanding and replicating these technologies would still take an enormous amount of time and effort.
Pushing these thoughts aside, Kallus leaned back in his command chair, allowing himself a brief moment of calm. Within two or three minutes, a notification arrived, confirming that the preparations were complete. He nodded, stood up, and with a thought, teleported directly to the main hangar.
There, standing in perfect formation, were the 10,000 crew members and key personnel of the fleet. Kallus, dressed in his Fleet Supreme Commander uniform, stepped onto the raised platform. His commanding presence drew the attention of everyone present.
Clearing his throat, he began, "Everyone, first of all, let me thank you for the hard work and dedication you've shown over the past month and a half. Your efforts are truly commendable, and for that, you have my utmost respect."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "The main reason I have gathered you here today is to announce that our fleet is now complete. It is time to give it a name—a name that will carry the weight of our ambitions and the legacy we intend to create."
Kallus's voice grew firmer, filled with resolve. "From this moment forward, we shall be known as the Void Fleet, and in time, we will establish the Void Empire. This fleet is just the beginning. It is the first and main fleet, but as we continue to grow and multiply, so too will our might and influence."
A wave of exhilaration swept through the hangar as the crew cheered, their voices echoing in unison. The significance of this moment was not lost on them.
Kallus raised a hand, signaling for silence. "Now," he continued, "in 12 hours, we will leave this place and embark on the next phase of our journey. I expect every ship to be fully prepared for any eventuality. Ensure that the fleet is in peak condition, and remember: our shipyards will continue to produce ships until we reach our target of 20 vessels."
Straightening his posture, Kallus saluted, placing a hand over his chest. "For the Void Empire!"
The crew responded in unison, their voices booming with loyalty and determination, "For the Void Empire!"
With that, Kallus stepped down from the platform, his heart filled with pride and anticipation. The Void Fleet was ready, and a new chapter in his journey was about to unfold.