Cleo eyed the murky water, the surface dark and imprable, her gaze narrowing as she nced over at Rex.


    "Are you serious? You really want to go in there when we have no idea what’s lurking below?"


    Rex shrugged, casting a quick look at the faint ripple below, where somethingrge and unsettling moved beneath the surface.


    "I mean, we can’t just leave that ugly thing down there, can we? Someone’s got to deal with it."


    She sighed but nodded.


    "For once, you’re right. Let’s do this smart, though. I’ll send some recon drones down first to see what we’re dealing with. We’ll decide our next move after we know what’s in there."


    Her golden eyes flicked to him, sharp and resolute.


    "Fine by me,"


    Rex said, crossing his arms, though he couldn’t hide a small, cocky grin.


    "Take your time, no rush."


    A few minutester, a set of reconfigured drones arrived from the ship, buzzing to life as Cleo summoned several holo-screens in front of her, each disying a drone’s point of view. With a quickmand, she directed them into the muddy water, their lights barely prating the gloom.


    Rex watched the screens with a smirk.


    "Yeah, see? Good thing I suggested waiting. Not that you need to thank me."


    He tilted his head, affecting an air of smug wisdom.


    Cleo rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore his antics as she focused on the screens. The drones pushed deeper until they reached an area where the water grew slightly clearer, revealing pale, drifting shapes below.


    "Are those…?"


    Rex leaned in, his usual humor reced by something more serious as he stared at the screen.


    "Yes,"


    Cleo said, her voice clipped. "


    Eggs. I’ll have one of the drones retrieve one."


    With careful precision, a recon drone extended its mechanical arms, delicately grasping one of the eggs before rising back toward the surface. Momentster, the drone emerged from the water, holding the egg aloft, hovering in front of Rex and Cleo.


    Rex activated his eye scanners, his expression darkening as he studied the translucent shape within the egg. "These


    are swarmerrvae. I didn’t think these ’zombies’ could reproduce. Not like this. Guess the movies lied to us."


    Cleo raised an eyebrow, keeping her gaze on the egg.


    "So, what’s the n? Do we keep it for research, or...?"


    Rex didn’t hesitate, tossing the egg back into the water with a grim look.


    "No way. We’re not taking any chances. I say we destroy the whole nest and whatever else is hiding in there."


    "Agreed,"


    Cleo replied, turning on hermunications.


    "Let’s pull everyone back and call in an orbital strike. I don’t want any trace of this ce left standing."


    Within hours, all Kaelzar units had retreated to a safe distance outside the bombardment zone. High above, the ship’s AI confirmed theirmands, positioning itself over the target. Momentster, a low whine filled the air as the first bombs began their descent.


    Rex looked up just in time to see the fiery streaks slicing through the sky, their trails zing against the dark clouds.


    "Here theye."


    The first explosion struck with a blinding sh, followed by a powerful shockwave that rippled through the ground beneath them. Secondster, another st hit, and then another, until the entire area was swallowed by fire and fury.


    Dirt and debris shot skyward, darkening the air as the sessive sts hammered the ground, leaving nothing but a smoking crater where the Void Crawler’sir had once been.


    As the dust began to settle, Rex took onest look at the obliteratedndscape, letting out a sigh of relief.


    "Well, that’s one less nightmare to worry about."


    Cleo nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her gaze as she watched the smoke rise.


    "Let’s hope that was thest of them... at least for now."


    They turned, walking away from the ruined battleground.


    "So, with the zombie bosses wiped out around the assembly factory, what’s next on the agenda?"


    Rex asked as they made their way toward the transport ship’snding zone.


    Cleo nced at him, her eyes briefly flicking from the holo-screens she was reviewing.


    "Not much. The factory’s up and running, and the defense systems are almost fully operational. We’ll be leaving this tomorrow evening."


    "Wait, we’re leaving already?"


    Rex raised an eyebrow.


    "But we just got here!"


    She chuckled softly.


    "What, did you think we’d conquer an entire with just one ship and a handful of troops? Don’t be ridiculous, Rex. What we’ve done here is nothing more than nting a single grain of sand in an ocean. This was only the start."


    She stepped onto the ramp of the transport ship, her expression unreadable.


    Rex scratched his head as he followed her aboard.


    "Now that you put it like that... I guess you’re right. So today’s ourst day here?"


    "That’s correct,"


    Cleo replied, her gaze shifting back to the holo screens. "


    Only Squad 201 and a few of us will leave. We’re leaving behind the remaining Aegis units and the Mauler juggernaut to secure our foothold. When the others arrive with the coordinates, they’ll know this ce is already imed. No one’s going to try and steal a safe zone we’ve marked as ours."


    "Ahhh, I get it now."


    Rex leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms thoughtfully.


    "So that’s why you’ve been building those cargo ships to keep supply lines running and expand the factory’s reach. You n to keep producing Aegis units here and send them out to explore the rest of the, don’t you?"


    Cleo raised an eyebrow, impressed.


    "Close enough. The cargo ships are indeed for material transport, but they’re also intended to move valuable goods we can sell in the underground markets."


    Rex grinned, shaking his head in admiration.


    "I’d expect nothing less from my brilliant wife."


    Cleo smirked but kept her attention on the screens, though a faint hint of pride shed in her golden eyes.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn


    When they finally arrived back on the main ship, Rex reached out and took Cleo’s hand, surprising her.


    "Hey, before you disappear to hack into another zombie’s brain or whatever you’ve got nned next,e with me. Let’s go check on the twins. It’s been a day since we saw them."


    For a moment, Cleo’sposed demeanor softened, and she allowed him to lead her down the corridor.


    "Alright, just for a little while,"


    she murmured, ncing up at him with a slight smile.


    They walked together, hand in hand, moving through the cold, metallic halls of the ship toward the quarters where their children waited, a rare moment of quiet warmth amidst the chaos of their war-torn lives.


    Once they reached the quarters, Rex gave a gentle knock on the door, careful not to startle the twins again. Thest time he’d done that, they’d bombarded him with whatever objects were within reach; he’d prefer to avoid a repeat.


    "Who is it?"


    came a young, wary voice from inside.


    "It’s me,"


    Rex replied softly,


    "the same guy who brought you food yesterday."


    Silence stretched on for several moments before he heard a quiet response.


    "…Come in."


    Rex pushed open the metal door, stepping inside to find Lyra standing alone in the center of the room, her small frame tense, her gaze cautious.


    "Hello, little one,"


    Rex greeted warmly, kneeling down to meet her at eye level, hoping to appear less intimidating.


    "Nice to see you again. How are you doing?"


    "I… I’m fine,"


    Lyra stammered, her eyes darting to Cleo, who was standing just behind Rex.


    Rex followed her gaze, chuckling softly.


    "Oh, her? Don’t worry, that’s just my wife, Cleo. She’s harmless… well, mostly harmless. She can’t even handle a knife properly; her roasted meat always ends up overcooked,"


    he added with a wink, though he recalled the chaotic scene she’d once created in the kitchen.


    Cleo rolled her eyes but smiled, then took a step forward, kneeling beside Rex.


    "Hello, Lyra,"


    she said in a gentle tone


    . "My name is Cleo, and I’m a Kaelzar."


    Lyra’s eyes widened.


    "A Kaelzar? But… you look human!"


    She gasped, clearly astonished.


    Cleo’s cheeks colored slightly. Kaelzars didn’t have a fixed form, and Cleo had chosen a human-like appearance for convenience.


    "While I may look human, I assure you, I’m very much a Kaelzar."


    To prove her point, she extended her ethereal, angel-like wings from her back, the soft glow illuminating the room.


    Lyra’s mouth fell open in awe.


    "Wow! You’re... you’re beautiful! Are you like one of..."


    "


    Lyra!


    " a sharp voice interrupted, echoing from across the room. Nyra rushed forward, grabbing her sister and pulling her back protectively; her eyes narrowed, her body taut with suspicion as she red at Rex and Cleo.


    "And here’s the grumpy one,


    " Rex remarked with a smirk. "


    I was wondering when you’d show up."


    Nyra scowled, holding Lyra close.


    "What do you want with us? Stay away from my sister!"


    Cleo crossed her arms, studying the defiant young girl with a cool expression. "


    Ungrateful, aren’t we? I can’t recall thest time someone resented being rescued,"


    she said dryly, standing up.


    "Rescued?"


    Nyra spat, her voiceced with venom.


    "That man killed our papa! How is that rescuing us?"


    She pointed an using finger at Rex, her eyes brimming with anger.


    Cleo let out a weary sigh.


    "You think he killed your father? From what I saw, it was―"


    "That’s enough!!"


    Rex interrupted sharply, his voice firm, cutting Cleo off before she could make things worse. He turned to her, giving her a gentle pat on the head in silent apology for the outburst.


    "Let me handle this, Cleo."


    Taking a deep breath, Rex stepped closer to the twins, his expression somber. He looked at Nyra, meeting her furious gaze head-on.


    "All right, Nyra,


    " he said calmly.


    "If you believe I took your father from you, then I’ll give you a chance to make things right.


    "


    With a swift motion, Rex summoned a small sword from his nanomaterial, crafting it carefully before tossing it onto the ground in front of the twins. He sat down on the cold, metallic floor, deactivating his armor, leaving himself entirely vulnerable.


    "There. Take the sword,"


    he said, his voice steady.


    "If you want to avenge your father, now’s your chance. Do whatever you feel is right."