SLAP

She turned red when she understood what she had done.

“I’m so sorry. Please excuse me. I’m just overexcited by the prospect of discovering a new inhabited planet,” she bowed to me as soon as possible.

“Article 2 of the Imperial Regulation: assaulting your direct commanding officer is punished by death. Please wait for your execution time. The next drone will carry you in outer space for a painless death.”

Sylviane’s head turned white. She can do many facial expressions. She appears fearful even when Alyn is clearly mocking her. Wait, she knows Alyn is joking, right?

“Hey Sylviane, she made a joke. Please get a grip on yourself!” I exclaimed toward the ghastly pale advisor.

“Yes, of course I know she was making fun of me ha… ha… ha… very fun. Well, can you look at the landing spot I discovered?”

After getting slapped by the overexcited Sylviane, I could finally look at the spot she had chosen.

The place is 60 kilometers away from a little settlement. A drone flew over this area 2 months ago and provided us a scan of the region. This is a mountainous area nearby a road and grassy plains. We can see a team of supposed dwarfs moving toward the mountain. We’ll hide our spaceship in a cave.

“Alyn, send a drone to monitor the area. It must be clear before we land there. The natives will not see our ship with the optic concealment activated. I’m sure that psychics cannot see through it, only military radar can, and they didn’t reach this technological level.”

“A drone is redirected right now. He’ll be there in 5 minutes. During this time, both of you should get ready. A set of gear for Sylviane is already waiting in her cabin. Do you want a standard set or your personal one governor?” Asked Alyn.

She’s as professional as ever.

“Keep my belongings in a safe until I ask for it, please. Ready a standard set for me too, but include a backpack filled with rations and water too.”

“Coming right away.”

“Sylviane, go dress up. Rendezvous in five minutes in the corridor.”

“Sure,” she acknowledged before departing.

I went to my door and took the package from the motorized box. I opened it in my room and placed the content on my bed. A tight gray combat uniform with polymer coating, a pair of black leather mixed with nylon boots and a black pants with 4 pockets. I could smell the traditional chemical odor coming from the new uniform. Theoretically, this uniform can protect you from laser beams and bullets, weak psychic attacks and knives. I stripped off my clothes and carefully folded them before putting it away. When I finished getting dressed, I heard metallic noises coming from the corridor. You should not keep a girl waiting. While I was reaching for the door, Alyn sent me a message.

“You look beautiful, Drake. Sadly, you can’t put on your usual armor.”

“This is too dangerous for the time being. If a psychic is nearby, he could feel my power. I’m like a glowing lantern in an inky black night when I’m fully equipped.”

“Why not, if they’re hostile, you can just kill them.”

“They don’t know me, so they will be fearful. This is not the reaction we want. Furthermore, I’ll just create a big mess if I kill everyone feeling threatened by my power. I’ll equip my armor after we established a well-known base and a big enough popular support.”

“As you said, I’ll wait for the show.”

Thanks to the microchip inserted in my brain, our link is so fast that our talk took less than a second. I opened the door and saw Sylviane nervously pacing. She looks bossy in her uniform. Her tight suit showed her natural curves. She is born to wear gray clothing. Even the first princess wasn’t that elegant, but you could spot a resemblance between them. It’s a pity I probably can not see her again.

Suddenly, I felt an electrical shock coming from my head. It forced me out of my train of thought.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Alyn?”

“U seemed lost in thought, so I gave you a little reminder. Don’t forget that I’m here and I have access to your mind.”

“A jealous AI, I’m wondering who created you. Did they just want a yandere girl?”

“You’ll know one day. But you forgot to mention the fact that I’m the ultimate AI.”

“Suuuuuuuuuure,” I consented.

I obviously looked at her too much because Sylviane noticed my gaze and was getting redder by the second.

“Is there an issue with my armor?” she stammered

“No, it suits you well. I’m sorry for being rude,” I quickly apologized.

Oddly, she seemed relieved. “It suits you too,” she flattered me with a smile.

“Thanks. Did the drone has arrived at the site of activity?”

“Yes, the sector is clear. The spacecraft is fueled, you’re ready to go. I dispatched two drones for security. One will keep watching the landing area and the other one will follow you. In this way, I’m going to keep tabs on your progress and rescue you if something unexpected happens.”

“Fine by me, let’s go the spaceship,” I urged Sylviane before taking the corridor to our left. She followed me and after 3 corridors and one trip in a lift, we reached the spaceport. There, a ferocious looking triangular spaceship was waiting for us. The beast was jet black, and we could enter it by the access ramp coming from his belly. On the side were 2 jet engines able to change their direction depending on the situation. This mobile weapon is 50 meters long for 30 meters wide, reinforced with crystal-infused plating. Conventional weaponry can’t breach the shield or the armor.

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“Is this a Deathwings? I never been inside one. Their optic camouflage is even better than the Pulsar’s drones, which is the best available in the Empire.”

“It is. Alyn altered it. It can go 20% faster and has more weapons than a regular one. You can destroy a corvette in only one salvo.”

“Alyn is a worthy opponent.”

“More than you can think of, Greenhorn.” Alyn found a good surname for Sylviane, but I can’t let them bicker.

“Let’s go inside, we’ll only need one minute to enter Loanose’s atmosphere. In five minutes, we will be the first imperial settlers on this planet.”

We entered the spaceship. The interior is lavish. Not something you would expect from a military spaceship. You can see cozy red armchairs with security belts for transporting VIP. The floor is made from black polished marble with golden veins. With the crystalline black marble, red chairs and ambient lightings, it looked more like a luxurious hotel than a military spaceship. You can even see the exterior through monitors.

“Wow, this is beautiful. Can I live in it? My cabin is lame compared to this interior.” She has stars in her eyes.

“If yours is lame, mine is rubbish!” I laughed.

Flustered, she said nothing else.

“We should go to the cockpit,” I proposed before opening the door.

The cockpit isn’t as spacious as the first room, but there’s enough room for 3 chairs and the controls. The cockpit’s window extends from the floor to the ceiling. In addition, we can see the outside through a 180° view. The screens show the pilot and co-pilots several information about the Deathwings’ components. The co-pilots help the pilot by distributing power to weapons, engines, shields,… They handle the communication too.

I sited in the pilot’s seat and make a gesture toward Sylviane to sit in the co-pilot’s seat next to mine.

“You know how to fly a spaceship Governor?” she seemed genuinely surprised.

“Not only can I fly it, but also you are going to learn how too. But not yet, I’ll let Alyn autopilot to the landing spot.”

“Humph, are you saying the truth?” Criticized Sylviane.

“Greenhorn, you shouldn’t say more, or you will suffer from motion sickness if Drake pilots,” Alyn interjected.

“I can show off my skills if you so badly want it. Still, you are not authorized to throw up in the cockpit. I don’t wish to crash our spaceship because you puked on the windshield.”

Sylviane quickly understood that we were not joking when I gave her a sick bag. “I’m sorry! I would actually like Alyn to fly us to our destination.”

“A smart choice Greenhorn.”

I was a bit dejected, but I still stowed the bag.

“Alyn, you are in control now.”

“Enjoy your flight!”

Alyn switched off the light. The cockpit’s interior was only lit by the spaceport’s light. A big green light appeared on the door opposite our spaceship. The massive doors were finally opening. They are so big than they need 1 minute to fully open.

“You should prepare yourself before we launch. You’ll take a few Gs. I recommend you to sit in the back of your seat and tighten your security belt.”

“It is like the simulation, so I’ll be fine!” she confidently replied.

“Sweet child, I bet she will puke after we land. What’s your bet Alyn?”

“She will faint before you land. What do we gamble on?”

“What do you want?”

“I’ll take one thing that I want from your belongings.”

“Deal”

“Beginning autopilot. I wish you an enjoyable flight.”

Following her announcement, the Deathwings passed through the gate. The blue light of the hangar’s shields stuck to the ship before letting us out. Many people find space empty and cold. For me, it’s my home and a beautiful black ceiling filled with warms lights coming from clustered or lonely stars far away.

We could see Lonaose right in front of us. The most shocking image was the giant cold blue gas planet behind our destination. Aqua is immense, over 10 times larger than Lonaose. It was like a baby next to his mother. Just besides Lonaose, a satellite was peacefully orbiting around. It is Moon, our big and juicy opencast mine.

Sylviane was taking in the exceptional picture before the engines rumbled. Afterwards, we were propelled in the back of our chairs. It is like your seat is pulling you in like magnets. The spaceship headed toward the planet, and we soon entered Lonaose’s atmosphere.

We could feel the shaking increasing, and the cockpit’s temperature rose. The glass was painted with red and yellow strokes. The Gs were doubling and slowly tripling. I love this thrilling sensation, but I can’t even hear a sound from Sylviane. Don’t tell me she fainted. I think I lost my bet.

“I won!”

“She’ll maybe throw up too after we land.”

“Even if she does, I still won.”

“Okay, take what you want.”

“A pleasure to do business with you!”

Shit, I don’t even know what she will take, but does an AI need something from an organic life-form in the first place? Each problem in its own time.

Alyn turned on the cloaking device after entering the atmosphere. We should have disguised as a regular comet disintegrating upon entering the planet’s atmosphere. The landscape was quickly fading before my eyes. We arrived at the cave where we are going to hide our spaceship in the blink of an eye. The Deathwings entered the vast cave and hovered 2 meters above the landing zone. Alyn activated the landing gears and our ship landed at last. I shook my co-pilot, and she woke up. She looked at my face and around her in bewilderment.

“Are we done? It was faster than I expected,” she observed, trying to appear calm.

Trying to act tough? I lost my bet because of you. “Yes, you slept quite well,” I nagged.

“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t ready for this. The simulation wasn’t that rough. I’ll do my best next time! Don’t let me in the Pulsar later, please. I’ll be useful,” she whimpered, tears in her eyes.

“Hey, calm down! Get a grip on yourself! You’re an important member of our mission. Have more confidence in yourself. This is your first time, after all,” I reassured her.

“Crybaby or Greenhorn I wonder. You should strengthen your heart considering you’re now a field officer. Theory and practice are two different things, but you’re capable enough! Otherwise, you wouldn’t be accepted for this operation in the first place.” Alyn complimented her too.

A compliment and a taunt at the same time, not just harsh words, as usual. Alyn is softening toward Sylviane. Their relationship is improving.

“Let’s get out. We need to reach the village before the night. Don’t forget to take your pistol and your combat knife before disembarking.”

I strapped my knife to my left thigh, and my pistol is in my shoulder holster. I took the backpack in the storage near the access ramp.

I excited the spaceship. The cave where we are is deep. We can’t even see the end. The scan says that you can keep going in for at least 5 kilometers. Hopefully, there aren’t any predators waiting for us in the black deep end.

“Governor Drake, do you have some ammunition? I only have some anti-personnel bullets for my pistol,” Sylviane complained.

“Yes, I got some magazines in my pockets, here take three. We can destroy an entire village with so much ammo.” I said when giving her magazines.

“I hope we’ll not fight today.”

“I’ll use the drone’s lasers if necessary. The drone can help you kill bandits or wild beasts.”

“We can eat some game for tonight's dinner!”

“We have rations, so why would you want to hunt or eat wild meat?” Sylviane didn’t seem keen on eating food procured in the wild.

“We will stay here for a long time, we’ll need to acclimate ourselves to local food. Plus, this is simply delicious.”

“What if we eat something inedible?” she pondered.

“The nanorobots will analyze what we touch so there’s virtually no problem.”

“Does this mean that you will give me nanobots?” she marveled.

“Yes, we got all the required materials,” I agreed. “We’ll do it outside the cave, so come with me.”

We exited the cave together. Unexpectedly, a beautiful landscape surprised us.