"Xiaohe," I called to my secretary.
"Majesty, what's up?" This guy's been my aide for years, yet refuses a promotion to govern. Addicted to secretary life, huh?
"Tell Weizhou to head to Kamet Empire and stir up chaos—the louder, the better," I ordered. Xiaohe looked puzzled briefly but caught on fast. Years by my side weren't wasted.
"Anything else, Majesty?" he asked, jotting it down.
I pondered. "That's it for now." Let's see how Kamet "helps" now. But this is small fry. Sending legions risks open war—bad for us now. The key is crushing Pandorans fast. If Kamet moves, we'll still have a fighting chance.
In Pandora's meeting room, Dodoka stood at the podium, facing commanders and arriving legion leaders. "Marshal Anla'e, brief them."
"Yes," Anla'e stepped forward. "Seventeen legions were due to reinforce us, but seven got eaten in transit. Six broke through; four returned to base."
Dodoka sighed. "We're not outnumbered, but our warships aren't on their level. This is a fight for survival. Don't despair—Kamet's stronger, yet we repelled them. Plus, four legions can flank from outside, hitting their rear. Our hope's strong." Seeing the beaten-down officers who'd faced the enemy, he rallied them. A demoralized army is no army.
"Majesty, should we recall legions guarding Kamet's border? This enemy's too strong, and we don't know if they've got backup. If undetected, we're doomed," a legion commander ventured cautiously.
Dodoka had considered it but bet on his dozen-plus legions overwhelming the enemy. (People, especially the talented, often act rationally but gamble deep down.)
Sky Dragon and Pandora Empires' fleets faced off, a tense standoff. I could see Pandora's defense ships clearly—they lacked confidence, the calm before the storm. For us, it's mixed: good news—my dozen-plus legions from the empire are nearly here; bad news—Kamet might intervene, complicating things.
Our total force: 20 legions, 34 million troops, with the empire's full strength at 40 million. Four billion robotic warriors, 4.6 million warships—fresh off production, inspected, and assigned to prepped legions. Even the Palace Guard hit 100,000. These troops, ex-Chinese military and armed police, swelled our ranks. Four million more train in reserve camps, enough for four main legions. This is the empire's biggest military push yet. To support it, our 2.2 billion Yanhuang Dragon Clan, newly settled across planets, dove into production. We built massive super-warship factories on dead and mineral stars, preserving home resources for war reserves and mining barren systems. A million such factories explain our churning out hundreds of warships in six months.
I threw Yanhuang warriors into battle because the enemy's weak—perfect for training against future, tougher foes. With drugs like Flying Dragon Divine Pills, they hit Martial Tier 2 upper. If they'd trained a year, mastering Tier 2 basics before pills, they'd reach Tier 4. Still, they'll cultivate faster than most, though past Tier 5, they'll lag. By then, Tier 5 isn't top-tier in the empire but holds up cosmically.
God and Demon Clan warriors, six million strong, joined the Magus-Armored Corps, fully deployed. The God King ranted about crushing "those mongrels," but my father-in-law, the Demon King, wisely reined him in.
One more day, and the tide turns our way. Pandorans haven't noticed we've cut off their systems, save Kamet's border, isolating them in a two-light-year strip. With over five million warships, we outnumber them—a first.
"Reporting, Majesty: we've reached four light-years from Kamet System on schedule," Yuri and Trank saluted via screen.
"No need to repeat your mission. If Kamet stays put, fine. If they move, block them—any means necessary. I want results, understood?"
"Understood." They vanished. Sending their two army groups—400,000 warships, each with one veteran and one new legion—prevents Kamet's backstab. This move paid off, later tying down Kamet's fleet.
Facing my army group commanders on-screen, I roared, "Warriors, tomorrow we strike a fatal blow to these savage foes, avenging their slaughter on Divine Realm Star. We'll repay blood with blood, showcasing Sky Dragon Empire's might. Cheers!" I raised my glass, downing it with the commanders.
In Kamet Alliance's parliament, Speaker Panku glowered at the bickering members. "Quiet! This noise is disgraceful. Send representatives for your views." His anger hushed the room. These fools want to fight? They'd get us invaded. Each generation's worse. Still, his authority pleased him.
"Speaker, we should conquer barbaric Pandora, liberate their oppressed, and spread our democracy and freedom. Let democracy's breeze sweep Pandora!" a member stood, fervent.
Panku grimaced. Democracy? A feel-good excuse for profit. Breeze? More like madness. But he played along. "A fine democratic warrior, but we haven't planned Pandora's liberation yet."
The member, clueless, pressed, "Speaker's insight is unmatched. If we go now, they might join us in gratitude."
Panku's head throbbed. This idiot. "Other opinions?" he cut in. Opponents, sensing his rejection, stood confidently. "Strike when both sides are weakened. We'll take no losses and show our might."
Panku shook his head. No vision. "Good plan, but who's fighting Pandora? Their strength? Consequences of crossing them?" His questions silenced the room. These armchair strategists knew little beyond old Pandora data, assuming weakness. Details? Clueless.
Infected by this arrogance, the alliance had pulled spies from Pandora long ago. Knowledge came from border clashes. Pandora's foe? Unknown. Smart enough, members caught Panku's dissent and quietly sought his view.
Savoring their deference, Panku said, "Facing an unknown civilization, we can't treat them lightly. Even if weak, assume strength to protect our interests. If they're weak, your plans shine. If strong, you know the stakes—citizens won't back a profitless war. Spreading democracy? Only if we don't conquer them."
Seeing puzzled faces, he sipped water. "Conquest means footing the bill for their refugees. Our population's 10 billion less than theirs. Let them fight internally, adopt our ideals, and guard our rear against unknown threats."
Members gasped, "Brilliant, wise!" Panku basked in free praise. Not the top dog, but big decisions needed his nod—even the alliance leader watched his mood.
Panku waved modestly. "Two steps: first, investigate Pandora's foe—who, where, strength. Second, ally with Pandorans against this sudden enemy. Opinions?"
The room erupted. Ally with "barbaric" Pandorans? It insulted their dignity. Pandorans were monsters—sparing them earlier was folly, let alone joining them.
Panku hammered the table. "I'm disappointed by your short-sightedness. Want a weak lamb or a fierce wolf nearby? Pandora lost their first clash—proof their foe's stronger. If they conquer Pandora, they're a bigger threat. We can handle Pandorans, but this foe? Unknown. Their surprise attack means we can't let them take Pandora—it puts us at risk. Pandorans are resource-dry, per our schemes, but we know nothing of these newcomers. Allying is essential."
Members grasped his cunning but balked at allying. Panku, the old fox, read them. "We won't grovel to Pandorans—they'll come to us, maximizing our gain."
"What's next, Speaker?" one asked.
"We move when Pandorans are crushed, blocking this race. It buys Pandorans time to beg us, securing their submission," Panku said, smug.
As Kamet debated, Sky Dragon Empire prepped its all-out assault.
"Majesty, everything's ready for the general offensive," Xiaohe reported.
"Open Blue Dragon Army Group's channel," I told the comm officer. Blue Dragon's commander and deputy, Baizhan and Lang Wuyu, appeared. "Long live Majesty!" they saluted.
I returned it. "You ready?" I'd positioned them behind the enemy to block escapes, buying time for our pursuit.
"All set, per Your Majesty's orders. We've laid space mines—small-damage, stone-coated—on likely escape routes," Baizhan said.
"Good. Assault begins in one minute. Stay sharp." Checking my watch, it was time to hit the Pandorans.
Leading was the 260,000-strong Palace Guard Legion, backed by a new legion. Green and Red Dragon Army Groups flanked. Gold and Black Dragon Army Groups would form an encirclement later, while Cyan and Purple Dragon Legions guarded our rear.
"Take positions. Attack!" My command unleashed a million troops on Pandora's defenses. The dim cosmos erupted like a stellar explosion.
Watching enemy warships burn, I knew tens of thousands of Pandorans vanished into cosmic dust. A flicker of pity hit me, but memories of our fallen warriors erased it. In the cosmos, the strong survive—no room for mercy, no right or wrong. Pandorans' plight—learned over a year—showed their desperation. But sympathy isn't for enemies. If we were weak, we'd share non-Pandorans' fate. Some enemy ships might hold non-Pandorans—sorry, soldiers obey and die. Our arrival might be their release.
"Hold formation. Front and flanks activate defenses; others, free-fire on enemy ships," I ordered. Fleets executed flawlessly. Pandorans were close to matching our defenses, but our speed caught them off-guard—later found in a captured lab. Thank the heavens. A year later, their numbers could've tied us. Then, Pandorans, not us, would stand here.
The battlefield roared, with Palace Guard, Gold, and Black Dragon Army Groups' spearhead formations hammering from three sides.
"Blast those monsters!" A-Lang screamed from his command ship. Boom! A shell hit his flagship, denting its dual shields' energy. "These freaks dare hit my ship? Focus fire on one point—ignore the rest!" he raged.
Black Dragon's three army groups—six legions, 700,000 warships—unleashed a million laser beams, converging into a single lance that pierced the enemy's core, obliterating thousands of ships. "Nice! Hit 'em again, boys!" A-Lang crowed, treating camp like a bandit lair. Mountain king, huh?
"Not bad—he's thinking now," I mused from my flagship, watching Black Dragon's beam pierce the dark, exploding in enemy ranks.
A thought struck. "All formations, spread out! Attack in squadrons!" Within 30 seconds of my order, three enemy laser beams retaliated. Close call. We lost ten ships.
"Focus fire!" I commanded, furious but calm. A commander can't panic—it shakes morale. "Avenge our warriors!"
"Space Fortress, prepare to jump into enemy ranks. Release Magus Army Group!" Originally for mega-warships, I'd repurposed the fortress for armaments pre-campaign. A super-warship needs no cargo—that's redundant. Armaments pack more punch. Beyond Palace Guard's gear, each of 20 legions kept 5,000 suits, leaving one army group with a squadron for special tasks. The remaining 500,000 Magus armaments formed five 100,000-strong temporary armies, led by ex-PLA Commander General Li Tian.
This minimized armament losses while maximizing impact. Ideally, each army group gets a fortress, boosting attack and defense. A fortress' shield spans a 1,000-km radius, sheltering damaged ships. We've built one; another's two months from completion.
Damn, the Space Fortress rocks. Its massive form eclipsed Pandora's fleet, spinning like a grinding wheel, its lasers a tempest shredding enemy ships.
"Majesty, flee! I'll hold them," Anla'e urged Dodoka.
"No, I stay with my people. This is our home!" Dodoka roared, unhinged.
"Majesty, the empire needs you! They're breaching the second defense, nearing Pandora System. Our best planetary defenses won't hold long," Anla'e pleaded.
Dodoka stared blankly at the screen. "Majesty, I beg you—go! We've 1.2 million troops at the border. Join Kamet temporarily—we'll return!" Anla'e knelt, desperate.
Dodoka, regaining focus, said, "Beg our enemies?"
"Kamet stifles us; these foes seek vengeance. Stay, and our race dies. For our six billion, go!" Anla'e urged.
"No!" Dodoka's scream tore through as he saw the Space Fortress' devastating strike on-screen. Anla'e, following his gaze, nearly fainted. Their ships, helpless as drowning children, crumbled.
What devils did we provoke? No prisoners—just annihilation. Then, countless Magus armaments poured from the fortress, attacking with agile, cold-eyed precision. Dodoka and Anla'e knew their entire army wouldn't match these ghosts. Their ships? Clumsy trash, unable to land hits.
A chill swept them, other commanders frozen in terror. Anla'e turned. "Majesty, take the system's fleet and go. They're useless here—just needless deaths. For the empire's last hope, flee!"
Other leaders, awed by the fortress, urged Dodoka too—none wanted to die unseen. Anla'e scorned them but knew resistance was futile. He'd stay, loyal to the end.
Moved, Dodoka said, "You must live to meet me again." Knowing Anla'e's resolve, he clung to faint hope. Anla'e saluted, nodding.
On my flagship, the fortress' might stunned me. Strong. Too strong. Friend and foe paused, mesmerized by its glow. The battlefield stilled, hearts seeming to stop. To us, victory's light; to them, death's glare.
Army group commanders' eyes glinted greedily. This weapon—equip my legion first! "Damn, too awesome! Warships are trash next to the fortress," even steady Along cursed, then barked, "Open Majesty's line!"
"Majesty, can we get the fortress first?" Along blurted.
"Hah, you all want it. I don't have enough. When we do, every army group gets one," I laughed.
"Big Bro, your legion's geared better—don't hog!" A-Lang cut in, fearing Along'd snag it.
Along noticed other commanders—save those on defense—clamoring too.
"Majesty, we failed to stop Pandora's emperor," Baizhan, Blue Dragon's commander, reported, ashamed.
"No worries—they can't stir much. Just a nuisance." A whole army group couldn't stop them? Desperate beasts bite hard. Their escape complicates things—they might join Kamet. Chasing stragglers is futile; they're likely in Kamet System by now. Fighting Kamet doesn't suit our current stage.
"Clean the battlefield. Gold, Black, and Cyan Dragon Army Groups, guard Pandora-Kamet defenses against attacks. Space Fortress, stay alert, support them. Others, sweep Pandora System's planets for remnants," I ordered.
"Yes!" Commanders saluted.
"Xiaohe, tell Weizhou to have rebels cooperate, ready to take planetary control," I told my secretary. "Majesty, should we…" Xiaohe trailed off, but I knew his drift.
"I get it, but no need. We hold supreme power—local governance can go to rebels or neutral factions. They'll grumble, but they lack officials. As our old revolutionaries said, power grows from gun barrels. With guns, we fear no coups. Let capable locals govern, and we'll absorb their troops. One empire, one regime, one army," I said.
Xiaohe's too naive. Despite years with me, he lacks practical cunning. A Tsinghua grad, he's great at his job but weak on power plays. Time to send him down for seasoning.
"I'll split Pandora System into East and West. The Pandoran-heavy part keeps its name; the smaller part becomes Little Milky Way System. I'm putting you in charge of Little Milky Way. Thoughts?" I smiled.
"Majesty, I'm too junior," Xiaohe stammered, flushing.
"No, that's wrong. Our empire's young—no one's senior, including me. Youth must train at the grassroots, growing with the empire. Work hard; I've got your back. I'll send civilian staff from the empire. For military, Gold Dragon Army Group, with Black, Cyan, and Red, will garrison. Stay tight with them."
"Majesty, I won't let you down," Xiaohe said, eyes red.
"Don't be so grave. The empire's not mine—it's our nation's, Yanhuang and others alike."
"I understand," he nodded.
"How old are you? Married?" I asked.
"Reporting, Majesty: I'm 26, married two years, two wives, three kids." Damn, older than me? Thought he was younger. Still, I've got more kids—hah!
"Wipe those tears—don't let folks think I'm scolding you, doubting your work. Once things stabilize, bring your wives and kids. Long-distance marriage sucks. I'm no Queen Mother splitting Cowherd and Weaver with a galaxy," I joked.
Xiaohe chuckled, drying his eyes.
Yellow and White Army Groups' screens lit up. Trank and Yuri saluted. "Reporting, Majesty: as predicted, Kamet's fleet appeared in our zone."
"Actions? Moves?" I asked.
"None yet—just cruising opposite us," Trank said. "Before they cross, declare Pandora System as Sky Dragon Empire's territory. Warn them: cross, and we hit hard. The harder, the better. Weakness invites their full force. Show them we're no pushovers, got it?"
"I get the first part, but what's a 'show of force'?" Yuri scratched his head.
Trank gaped. "You don't know? It's a Yanhuang idiom. Told you to read more."
These two. Once the Demon King's headache, now mine. Yuri glared, red-faced. "You're barely better. Majesty just explained, and your pea brain got it?"
"Who said that?" Trank bristled, ready to brawl.
"You two—enough! You're commanders!" I snapped, shutting them up.
"Enemy numbers? Need reinforcements?" I asked.
"Not many—about 300,000, less than us," Yuri said. "Good. Stay vigilant for other fleets—watch for sneak attacks."
"Yes."
As their call ended, Along popped up. "Reporting, Majesty: Pandorans fled to Kamet. Kamet's taken over their old defense bases."
"Don't advance, but if they come out, hit hard—test their strength. Avoid the Space Fortress unless casualties spike. Push as far as you can."
"Understood." Smart folks make orders easy.
"Weizhou, how's my task going?" I asked as he appeared.
"Our people are in Kamet's key cities and planets. Your order, and we act," he reported.
"Well done. Start disruptions, especially where Pandoran fleets are. Do it right, and you're back as Pandora System's governor," I said.
Governor? Weizhou beamed. "Rest assured, Majesty—I'll deliver." He doesn't know the system's split yet. Hope he doesn't curse me later.
With all set, I retired to my warship's lounge, scooping up a gorgeous maid and heading for blissful release. The day's tension melted as the room filled with symphonic moans and entwined passion.
Reader's Corner: Feitian's Space Fortress crushed Pandora, and Kamet's lurking! Will Weizhou's chaos tip the scales, or will Dodoka's escape spark a comeback? Drop your galactic war plans in the comments—unleash this dragon saga!