original

Legacy of the Void Fleet

Capítulo 1: Ch-1 In Unknown Space

In the depths of unknown space, amidst an endless field of asteroids, a massive spaceship lay dormant. Its sleek hull shimmered faintly under the dim light of distant stars, unblemished and pristine as though it had just rolled off the assembly line. Within its vast interiors, countless humans remained suspended in an eerie slumber, motionless as if frozen in time.

The ship itself was a marvel of engineering, its structure flawless and untouched by the wear of travel or the scars of battle. It radiated an aura of untouched perfection, an enigma drifting silently in the void.

In the command center—a grand chamber lined with glimmering monitors and sophisticated control panels—a sudden disturbance broke the stillness. A man, dressed in a sharp military uniform, stirred to life. His eyes fluttered open, only to squint against the faint glow of the surrounding consoles, which seemed to hum faintly as if in recognition of his awakening.

He gasped as the chill hit him, his breath condensing into small clouds in the frigid air. The cold was biting, a stark contrast to the warmth he last remembered. Disoriented, he looked around, half-expecting this to be a vivid dream or a hallucination. But when his fingers brushed against the metallic console beside him, and his gaze fell upon the command center's viewport revealing the ship's untouched hull and the vast asteroid field beyond, a wave of realization washed over him.

"This… this can't be real," he murmured, his voice unsteady.

The ship was immaculate, its systems dormant but perfectly intact. He recognized the layout, the design—this was no ordinary spacecraft. His heart raced as memories surfaced: late nights spent playing a space war game called Galactic Conquest. This ship, with its unblemished condition and impeccable design, was identical to his flagship in the game.

Confusion warred with disbelief as he tried to piece together how he'd come to be here. He remembered the final moments before everything went black: playing deep into the night, exhaustion tugging at his eyelids. And then… nothing. Now, he was awake, surrounded by a ship too perfect to be real, yet it was.

Before he could delve further into his spiraling thoughts, a sharp ding echoed through the chamber. He froze, the sudden sound jarring against the silence.

"Hello, Mister Kallus."

The voice was cold and mechanical, its precision cutting through his confusion. A holographic panel materialized before him, glowing blue and casting an ethereal light over his astonished face. His breath hitched as he stared at the projection, his thoughts racing.

"Who… who are you?" he managed to stammer, his voice trembling.

The voice responded, calm and deliberate. "Master, you need not fear me. I am but a fragment of creation. You may call me Red Empress."

Kallus's mind reeled as he processed the name. The pristine ship, the AI's authoritative tone, the surreal perfection of his surroundings—it all felt impossibly familiar, yet undeniably real. His confusion began to give way to tentative excitement as the pieces started to fall into place.

Kallus steadied himself, suppressing the rush of emotions coursing through him. Though excitement bubbled beneath the surface, he forced himself to remain calm. Clearing his throat, he addressed the mysterious voice.

"Red Empress," he began cautiously, "can you tell me where I am? Just moments ago, I was playing a game in my room, and now…" His words trailed off as the sheer impossibility of his situation dawned on him.

Before he could continue, the glowing blue screen before him shifted. It expanded and morphed, transforming into the holographic figure of a woman. She had flowing crimson hair, eyes that burned like molten fire, and a face so breathtakingly beautiful that Kallus found himself momentarily entranced. Her beauty was otherworldly—far beyond anything he had ever seen, as though the stars themselves could barely account for one percent of her radiance.

Yet it wasn't just her appearance that held him spellbound. She exuded an undeniable aura of authority, an empress's regal presence that compelled respect and awe. She smiled warmly, a gesture that carried both reassurance and power, and spoke in a voice as smooth as silk yet firm as steel.

"Master Kallus," she began, "I understand your confusion, and the situation warrants it. But you need not worry. I have been integrated with you and will assist you as we navigate this new universe together."

Kallus blinked, his mind racing to process her words. "A… new universe?" he repeated, his voice a mixture of shock and curiosity.

Red Empress nodded gracefully. "Yes. Though this universe differs from the one you knew, it is still somewhat similar. You are in the same galaxy, and in fact, Not far away from the same solar system where you once resided. However, this reality is far more advanced. As for your sudden appearance here," she paused, tilting her head slightly, "I cannot provide clarity on that. What I do know is that a Supreme Being brought you here, integrating me with your soul and gifting you this spaceship."

Kallus's breath caught. "The… Supreme Being?" he echoed, his voice trembling.

Red Empress's crimson eyes softened, though her presence remained imposing. "Yes. This Supreme Being said it would watch what you do next. I do not know its motives, but it has given you an unparalleled gift and chosen you for reasons beyond my understanding."

Kallus staggered back, overwhelmed by the implications. The mention of a Supreme Being capable of pulling his soul into an entirely new plane of existence and creating something so intricate and advanced left him awestruck—and terrified. What kind of power could do such a thing? And, more importantly, why him?

His thoughts spiraled as he questioned what made him so interesting or significant that a being of such immense power would take notice. For several minutes, he grappled with his emotions—shock, fear, excitement—before he forced himself to calm down.

Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists and focused his thoughts. The situation was beyond his comprehension, but trying to understand the mind of a Supreme Being was futile. He would never know its intentions. What mattered now was that he had been given an incredible opportunity.