"Reason for visit?"

"Oh, just some professional garbage business."

"Pardon me?"

"You heard right. In the outer sector there is no single trash deposing specialist like me!"

"Sure... if you say so. Here is your ID and baggage. I wish you a pleasant visit in the capital Eternum. But please note that civil traffic between planets is currently restricted to certain routes guarded by the Eternal Fleet."

A man in a brown suit with a sour expression walks down a busy hallway towards the public transport. Accompanying him is a silver haired and eyed servant who has an unnatural way of walking.

"Is this wig really necessary?"

"Stop complaining. Your white hair is too conspicuous. Even here it is a sign of noble heritage."

"And was that script not way over the top?"

"Nobody would suspect an eccentric garbage enthusiast to be behind the recent attacks."

"Your responsible for this? Have you finally snapped? Don't tell me you really did blow up that moon?"

"Relax. I just destroyed some annoying drone ships and plundered two transports. The moon is a long term project."

"Are we pirates now? Stop acting like a steamroller! Wait, what was that about the moon?"

"Forget it. Bye the way, you are the only one of us who uses the weird phrases that his majesty came up with."

"They are not made up! He told us, didn't he? About the place where he came from?"

"Do you still believe these bedtime stories? Anyway the drones I won't apologize for.

About the transports, they carried crystals for our transition drive. Also I was careful not to kill anybody... important."

"They will find out about it if you keep acting like this."

"I will just push the blame on the other nations, pirates or something."

"Are you insane? What if we start a galaxy spanning conflict? Imagine all the people getting caught in that shit show!"

"Your problem being? For a future emperor your way to soft-hearted, it's time you grow up already."

"You are the same age as me! Besides, a ruler shouldn't go around killing people, he should serve the country by protecting his citizens."

"Your view is influenced by all the propaganda they spit in the palace and on the news.

How do you think his majesty made his empire to the multiple galaxy wide powerhouse it's today?

Through blood and carnage! He killed his way to the top."

"That does not mean I have to be like him."

"We will see about that."

As Rex gazes out of the window in the planetary shuttle,

he sees the surface of Eternum bathed in blood-red light from the near star and a shiver runs down his spine.

"Why does every building need to be pitch black? And what's up with those black spikes everywhere?"

"I quit like them embracing their edgy side. After all we are talking about a bunch of guys who can call their fleet Eternal with a straight face."

At that moment a black shadow covered the view in front of them.

At first it looked like a normal elongated ship but it had long tentacles like cables drifting around it and the surface had a moist shine like a snail's skin. The ship was about 800 meters long, the cannons looked like gaping mouths.

Many red eyes on all sides glared at every passing ship, which all kept a considerable distance.

Rex caught himself forgetting to breathe for a second.

"What the fuck? Why would such a monstrosity be allowed at the central planet?"

"A destroyer of the Eternal Fleet. It's made from biological material, it can also regenerate and reproduce."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"That's disgusting. Wait then why do they only rule this part of the galaxy?"

"I am not sure yet but I do have some suspicions..."

A few hours later in a meeting room high up in one of the skyscrapers in the business district.

"And that is why, ladies and gentleman, my business will bring not only profit but also prestige to our glorious nation! The capital is the face of our illustrious kingdom and if we keep the streets clean the other nations will admire your control over the populace and fear your dominance!"

"We appreciate your patriotism, but are you sure this will net profits in a short amount of time?"

"Of course! I came up with this genius idea myself and there is no one like me in this whole galaxy who has as many years to his name in dealing with literal trash! Please also note my references and recommendations!"

"Here you noted a pirate base that you threw in a star, to quote: "Use our patented and the only 100% effective way of recycling all the materials."

"Yes, that's correct. Think about it, all atoms get redistributed free of charge if the star blows up in a supernova."

"... On another point. How is your proposal about replacing the wrapping of food with gold foil going to help the prestige of the kingdom?"

"It's really simple! If you use plastic you just throw it away, right? Sometimes that shit lands on the streets or in the parks, nobody wants that. But would you throw away literal gold?"

"... I guess not."

"My point! Please here is my bank account! Just send over the appropriate amount so we can start with the project... excuse me is there like a spider in my hair or...?"

Everyone had shocked expressions and was gazing behind him out of the window. Rex slowly turned around and saw...

"Is that Fox?"

"The infamous pirate king? Impossible! What is he doing here in the capital?"

"I thought the prime minister made a deal with him! Wait, I think there is a message being broadcasted in the news."

"Citizens! I will return to the outer sectors if you hand over that vile and merciless criminal Reginald! He killed some of my best men and destroyed one of our bases that was providing essential services like resupplying the government owned mines.

He even had the audacity to boast about it in his online resume!

According to our treaty we have the same status as citizens like you.

So I hereby pledge for your sense of justice!

Hand over that garbage loving bastard Reginald and our fleet will return to the outer sector."

"SIRIUS! Get me the hell out of here!"

Rex had just jumped out of the window of the conference room and was using the micro gravo engines of his hidden breast plate.

"How do you always manage to get yourself in this kind of situation? You really have a talent for attracting trouble."

"Just shoot them already! This pathetic excuse of a suit can only last for 5 minutes!"

"This 'pathetic' suit has its own shield, gravo drive and life-support systems.

All that while being undetectable by security and still fitting beneath a suit.

I am also surprised it only took a few hours for you to change your mind on the whole 'no killing part'."

"You win! OK? Please just get us out of here but don't kill them!"

"Sure, take cover."

In the next moment Rex was carried in a nearby building by the pressure of an explosion.

As he regained his vision he saw dozens of police and pirate vassals trying their best to stay above the city. Most had one of their engines molten or just missing.

The heat rays that pierced the clouds could still be seen. The ships that were in better shape supported the others with tractor beams. Already there are dozens of bigger ships approaching.

One of the Eternal destroyers descended over the business district.

Rex froze as the red eyes came to rest on him, it bathed the nearby area in eerie silence as everyone tried their best to avoid moving.

"Sirius. Now would be a great moment for an extraction."

"Understood. Our destroyer will grab you in 30 seconds. I will create a diversion, cover your eyes."

"What are you going to do? Why do I even ask... It's going to be an explosion right?"

"..."

A streak of silver passed his field of vision as it flew straight at the Eternal ship, dodged a tentacle and crashed into one eye. The following light of the explosion was so bright that not even the optical sensors of war ships could see a thing.

"Are you satisfied now? Do you see what your violent acts brought us? I almost had them! They were eating out of my hands! I was ready to let them throw all their money at me!"

"As if. I bet you tried to bribe them with Stickers and Pins."

"I didn't even get to that part, because I had to run for my bloody life!"

"You are safe now right? See it this way, we got to see the cooperation between the police and the pirates."

"They were shooting at me with fricking lasers!"

"Yes, but don't you find it peculiar that they work so closely? The pirates must have connections in departments of the government. I believe we should investigate that."

"What are we supposed to do with that? We still got no money and now my secret identity is worth less than trash!"

"If you would allow me to rob a bank, our money problem..."

"I won't hear it! Come up with something non violent, or I will recycle you in the next star!"

"Fine. I have another identity for us to use. What do you think about going to the royal academy?"