NOVPUB"The first option?" Kallus asked, raising an eyebrow." Useless. Completely irrelevant to our current situation—this is what you're calling our current situation?"
He looked over his admirals. They nodded, firm in their stance. The option had merit long-term, but for the immediate need at hand, it simply wouldn't do.
"Okay, I understand," said Kallus—not with disappointment, for he knew the first plan held strong, even excellent, potential in the long-term. Just not for their immediate needs.
Accepting that, he continued, "Now, onto the second option. What are your thoughts?" he asked his admirals once more.
Before anyone else could speak, Admiral Renn straightened. With a quick glance toward Admiral larkovis—who returned an almost imperceptible nod—she stepped forward, facing the central holo where Kallus stood, silent and commanding.
"With your permission, Supreme Commander," she began, her tone calm but bearing the weight of caution, "I believe it's necessary to clarify a few matters regarding the Genome Empire before we proceed."
Kallus gave her a subtle nod, granting her the floor.
"Through the data we recovered from the Minotaur fleet during the 7th Fleet's operation, we've been able to construct a detailed structural map of power distribution in the Galactic Rim—especially how the major factions operate." She paused for a beat. "Now, I won't claim that the data is entirely complete or infallible. But given the critical role the 7th Fleet held for the Minotaur Clan, it's highly unlikely that the information they carried would be anything but accurate—at least in essential strategic points."
She drew in a breath before continuing. "The Minotaurs were stubborn, steeped in pride, and they never believed their elite fleet could fall. That they did... only reinforces the reliability of what we acquired."
She paused again, scanning the room, allowing the gathered admirals a moment to absorb the implications. No one spoke. There was no need—every admiral present had reviewed the same intelligence. They all knew what Admiral Renn knew.
Then she nodded to herself and pressed forward.
"Now, onto the core of the matter—what we've learned about the Genome Empire."
She stepped closer to the central display.
"The Genome Empire is one of the three dominant powers operating in the Galactic Rim. It stands nearly toe-to-toe with the Minotaur Clan and the Asura Imperium in terms of reach and strength—and I believe we can all agree on that?" She looked around.
A chorus of nods followed, some murmuring: It is.
"We've known for some time that the Genomes, as a race, possess inherent advantages—particularly in technological development and integration. This has allowed them to rapidly advance and construct devastating weapons of war, giving them an edge the Minotaurs never quite matched. In fact, only the Asura Imperium comes close to rivaling them in that domain."
She gestured to the holo, which flickered to life with schematics and power charts. "We've all reviewed how the Minotaur Clan fell from being a dominant Tier-2 galactic force to their current, fractured state. I won't repeat that history here."
Admiral Renn's expression hardened. n𝚘𝚟𝚙u𝚋.co𝚖
"But now we come to the plan—your proposed solution, Imperial Commander," she said, her voice now directed solely toward Kallus.
"According to the recovered intel, the Genome Empire relies heavily on a singular core program—one with direct control over their critical war infrastructure. This includes their warships, planetary defense grids, and even deep-core installations."
She paused.
"That program is said to be self-aware—a sentient intelligence, uniquely sophisticated, and fiercely protected by the Genome hierarchy."
She took a measured breath, her voice respectful but probing.
"And please understand—I do not doubt your judgment, Supreme Commander. You have my full trust and confidence. But... this unique skill of yours—'God of Machines.'" She let the title hang in the air for a moment. "We've heard of it. We've seen fragments of its effect. But we've never truly understood it."
The room fell quiet.
"What does it actually do?" she asked, turning toward Kallus with sincerity.
And the other six admirals, as if on cue, leaned in ever so slightly—mirroring her question without words.
Kallus raised his eyes at Admiral Renn's question, then smiled faintly. He gave them what they wanted—at least, a part of it.
"This ability… as its name suggests, God of Machines, allows me—simply put—to override any system of artificial control," he said, his voice calm, yet laced with quiet certainty. "Even those considered sacred or inviolable by their creators. It lets me gain control, not through force, but by surpassing the system's authority itself. Their technology becomes mine to command."
He paused, letting that sink in before continuing.
"And this… is only one facet of what God of Machines truly is," he added, his tone distant now, as though speaking of something vast and unknowable. "There's more to it, much more—but that's a discussion for another day."
Despite the openness of his answer, he offered no further detail—deliberately, almost casually preserving the mystery around his power. It wasn't that he couldn't explain it—he simply saw no need. The results, as always, would speak for themselves.
The admirals accepted his explanation—at least for now. Though their mouths were tight, and their eyes filled with questions, they nodded in reluctant agreement. It would suffice.
Admiral Renn rolled her eyes subtly at his evasiveness, then crossed her arms and pressed on.
"So… what you're saying is, you could definitively seize control of the Genome Empire's core systems—the AI, the infrastructure, their war machinery—and override it. Make it ours."
Kallus nodded once, his smile faint, mirroring her earlier gesture as he muttered, "Right."
Now it was Renn's turn to sigh.
"That's not just good," she said, glancing around. "That's an exceptional asset. If you truly can take control of their critical technologies and infrastructure, then the Genome Empire will be crippled—stripped of its primary offensive and defensive capabilities."
She rose from her seat and tapped the table. A hologram flickered to life, casting an eerie glow across the room. Her fingers brushed lightly along the edges of the projection as she spoke, her tone calm but carrying an undeniable weight.
"Other than their Imperial Fleet and a few elite divisions that operate outside of the core systems, the Genome military would be effectively neutralized. And even those remaining forces… well, they'd know. The moment we take control of their command architecture, they'll realize they're facing something far greater than themselves—and that they'd already lost before they even knew who it was or what they were up against."
The other admirals nodded, basically accepting her remark—and so did Kallus.
"And the Emperor of the Genomes," Renn continued, "he'll understand the implications better than anyone. He'll run."
Her eyes narrowed.
"And that's where things get complicated."
She turned back to face Kallus.
"Because when he flees—and he will—he'll take a portion of his loyalists with him. Systems. Fleets. Commanders. Whatever he can carry. And with the Genome Empire scattered across multiple star systems, that will force us—or rather, you, Imperial Commander—to deal with a fragmented resistance."
She leaned forward slightly.
The room fell quiet for a moment as her words settled like weight on everyone's shoulders.
"They won't be able to stand against us head-on, but they'll delay us. Force us into a longer conflict. One where we're stretched thinner. Slower. Vulnerable in places we shouldn't be."
The room fell quiet for a moment as her words settled like weight on everyone's shoulders
Admiral Renn's voice grew quieter, but heavier with truth.
"And that is where our true problem arises—not from the Genomes themselves. Not directly, nor indirectly. They won't even know how exposed we are. But it's not about them, as it never was to begin with."
She turned to face the other admirals fully.
"It's about us."
She gestured sharply toward the edge of the galactic projection spinning above the holo table.
"Our numbers leave us with little to no margin. Yes, we possess superior firepower, unmatched technology, elite command. But numbers? Personnel? Occupation forces? Rebuilding infrastructure after conquest? We're bleeding thin—and it will only get worse the farther we push."
The room fell still again. No one interrupted. No one argued. Because everyone already knew what she was saying was true.
"And that's the paradox we're facing, Imperial Commander," she continued, locking eyes with Kallus. "We are the most powerful force in this region—perhaps in the wider galaxy—but that power means nothing if we don't have enough boots, minds, and systems to sustain what we conquer."
She motioned toward the star map.
"This galaxy... this universe is vast beyond measure. And while our fleets can strike anywhere, we cannot hold everywhere. Not like this, not now. Not with our current numbers."
She stepped back, letting her words hang in the air, grim and undeniable.
"We can bring down empires, yes. But what comes after? How do we hold it all together when our people are already stretched across systems, colonies, defense lines, and expansion fronts?"
Admiral Renn broke the silence again, her voice edged with practical concern.
"Even if—through your ability—you manage to seize control of their systems and the genomes themselves… then what?" she asked. "It's not like we can integrate the Genomes into our fleet structure, right, Commander?"
All eyes turned back to Kallus.
