Intergalactic conquest with an AI-Chapter 389: Ending a war to start another war. {7}

Inside was nothing less than a paradise, an artificial Eden created through masterful engineering and precise environmental control. The interior was split into four massive biomes, each encased in shimmering transparent barriers that kept their climates perfectly stable and separated.

To the left was a misty forest filled with tall, ancient trees and veils of fog that danced with soft light. Next to it was a pine forest blanketed in snow, where cool air swirled around frozen lakes and white-covered paths.

To the right, a warm and sunny tropical beach stretched out under a simulated sky, complete with crystal-clear waters and the gentle sound of waves. The last section was a peaceful, open grassland covered in vibrant flowers and colorful fields that seemed to stretch into forever.

And right in the middle of it all was a towering artificial mountain. Water cascaded down its face in a glittering waterfall, forming a serene river that flowed peacefully through all four biomes.

Cleo remained expressionless, simply watching the others react. After all, she was the one who had designed this breathtaking place.

"Well then," Rex said with a smile while stepping forward and stretching his arms. "How about we head to the beach and relax for a while? I've been looking forward to this moment."

Without waiting for a reply, he began walking in the direction of the tropical section, clearly ready to enjoy some well-earned peace.

Once they finally arrived at the beachside location within the massive greenhouse dome, Rex's eyes quickly locked onto a small but stylish wooden cabin nestled near the palm trees.

It looked almost out of place in such a high-tech fortress, but it gave off a cozy, relaxing vibe. In front of the cabin stood a sleek, humanoid robot bartender, polished to a shine, standing ever-ready behind the bar counter.

Programmed to operate around the clock, the robot was there 24/7, always prepared to serve drinks to anyone who stopped by.

Rex didn't waste any time. He casually strolled up to the cabin and slid onto one of the high stools at the bar, then motioned for Lazien to take the seat next to him. The general, still slightly overwhelmed by the surreal setting, followed and sat down without a word.

"Give us two of your strongest shots," Rex said with a relaxed tone, nodding at the robot bartender.

The robot responded with a polite chime and began preparing the drinks. As it worked, Rex turned his head slightly toward Lazien, his expression calm but serious.

"Well then, General," he said, "I'm sure you already know about the incoming fleet headed toward the planet we just took over. So tell me, do you have any solid intel on them?"

The bartender placed two shimmering glass shots in front of them, filled with a strange glowing liquid that fizzed slightly. Lazien picked up his glass and stared at the contents for a moment before downing the entire shot in one smooth motion.

"Ha…" Lazien exhaled as the drink burned down his throat. "Well, it's not like I owe Nexum any loyalty anymore." He looked off into the distance, his expression unreadable.

"While I'm not exactly sure if they've realized those planets have already fallen out of their hands, the fleet will still make a stop there regardless."

Rex narrowed his eyes slightly. Although Lazien had answered, his response felt too vague... nothing Cleo hadn't already uncovered through her data scans.

"And why would they do that?" Rex asked again, his voice firmer this time, pressing for something more substantial.

Lazien gave a dry chuckle and gestured for another drink. "That's simple, my lord," he replied, before signaling the bartender for a cocktail instead of another shot. "That fleet isn't just any random patrol force or standard deployment. No... this one is different. It's a treasure fleet."

Rex leaned back slightly, one eyebrow raised. "A treasure fleet? And what exactly is that supposed to be? I thought each world sent merchant convoys to deliver their tribute or taxes."

"Hahaha, of course not," Lazien replied while shaking his head with a smirk. "That might be true for the inner systems, the rich worlds close to the core. Those have their own merchant fleets, trade hubs, and stable supply chains."

"The mid-tier worlds... maybe. But the outer rim? Hah, they don't even have proper mining ships, let alone merchant convoys."

He paused to take a long sip of his cocktail before continuing, this time in a more serious tone.

"And even if they did try to send convoys, they'd get raided by pirates or wiped out by rival factions. Too risky, too costly. So instead, the megacorps send these treasure fleets themselves."

"They go from planet to planet, collecting taxes directly in the form of rare minerals, metallic credits, exotic goods, you name it. And because they carry so much wealth, they're protected like royal vaults."

Rex tapped his fingers on the counter thoughtfully. Lazien leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly.

"So when I say this fleet is well-armed, I mean very well-armed. We're talking two to three thousand vessels minimum. Warships, dreadnoughts, escort destroyers... maybe even a Titan-class battleship depending on the haul."

He glanced at Rex, waiting for a reaction. But Rex's expression didn't change. He just calmly sipped his drink, eyes still locked on Lazien, unreadable.

{He's not reacting at all... Not a single twitch. Is he really that confident in his strength? Even if he's got those Tier 6 monsters walking around him, there's no way they alone could take on a full-blown treasure fleet....}

{That kind of firepower could glass a planet if it wanted to. And those stronger beings... the ones who could tip the scale seem to have disappeared or gone silent. So what is he hiding this time? What secret weapon is he betting on?}

As Lazien sat there silently, his mind spinning with speculation and uncertainty, he kept stealing glances at Rex, trying to decipher any clue, any crack in that calm exterior. But the man across from him remained a mystery wrapped in a grin.

Meanwhile, Rex's thoughts were... far less tactical.

{Mmm... this cocktail is actually pretty damn good. It's sweet, cold, with a bit of a kick... But I probably shouldn't ask what's in it. What if it's made from some mutated alien fruit or... worse, some disgusting insect juice? Ugh. Just thinking about it gives me the chills.}

Rex took another sip and smiled faintly, not because of any brilliant strategy or secret weapon, but because the drink was genuinely enjoyable.

He didn't even flinch at Lazien's earlier warning about the treasure fleet, not because he wasn't taking it seriously, but because he had no idea what it actually meant to face off against two to three thousand warships.

In truth, Rex was just playing along. He was doing exactly what Cleo had told him to do: keep Lazien talking, get as much intel as possible, and make the man comfortable enough to loosen his tongue.

While Rex sipped his drink and played the part of a relaxed leader, Cleo was silently running millions of calculations per second in the background.

Her mind was a storm of data, strategy models, and predictions, preparing countermeasures, identifying enemy fleet routes, and analyzing potential weaknesses in the treasure fleet's formation.

The two girls accompanying them, meanwhile, were lost in their own world. They lounged on the artificial beach chairs, sipping colorful cocktails, enjoying the warmth of the synthetic sun, and occasionally throwing curious glances at the scenic landscape around them. For them, it was a rare moment of peace in the middle of a war.

Then, Rex finally leaned forward, his expression turning a little more serious.

"Well then, General," he said as he looked Lazien straight in the eyes. "The real reason I brought you here, to this little beach paradise, instead of just tossing you into one of my luxury cells... is because I want to make you an offer."

Lazien blinked and sat up slightly straighter. "Oh? And what's the point of offering me anything if the only choices I've got are 'yes' or rot in prison?" His tone was sarcastic, but his eyes remained focused, still probing for some sign of Rex's intentions.

Rex chuckled softly and shrugged. "Fair point. But at least hear me out before you start whining. My offer's still better than licking Nexum's boots while they treat you like trash and toss you into war zones every time you sleep with someone's wife."

Lazien burst into a dry laugh, then finished the last of his cocktail in one gulp. He wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his uniform, clearly a bit tipsy now. The alcohol had loosened him up, and the tension in his shoulders began to fade.

"Alright then," he said, setting the empty glass down with a light clink. "Go ahead. I'm listening. Blow me away with this amazing offer of yours."

Rex leaned back casually, one leg crossed over the other, still holding his half-full glass.

"Good," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Because what I'm offering... could change everything."

Now, the one caught off guard wasn't Lazien anymore... it was Cleo.

Her expression, usually so composed and unreadable, faltered for the briefest of moments. Her artificial pupils widened, her lips parted ever so slightly, and her gaze snapped to Rex with a hint of confusion.

What he had just said wasn't part of the carefully planned script she had calculated beforehand. This "offer" that Rex was speaking of… it was news to her, too, since this wasn't in her plans at all.