Legacy of the Void Fleet Chapter 138: ch 138 Galactic Rim

"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 rit long-term, but for the imdiate need at hand, it simply wouldn't do.

"Okay, I understand," said Kallus—not with disappointnt, for he knew the first plan held strong, even excellent, potential in the long-term. Just not for their imdiate 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, Supre Commander," she began, her tone calm but bearing the weight of caution, "I believe it's necessary to clarify a few matters regarding the Geno 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 mont to absorb the implications. No one spoke. There was no need—every admiral present had reviewed the sa 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 Geno Empire."

She stepped closer to the central display.

"The Geno 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, so murmuring: It is.

"We've known for so ti that the Genos, as a race, possess inherent advantages—particularly in technological developnt 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 cos 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.

"But now we co to the plan—your proposed solution, Imperial Commander," she said, her voice now directed solely toward Kallus.

"According to the recovered intel, the Geno 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 Geno hierarchy."

She took a asured breath, her voice respectful but probing.

"And please understand—I do not doubt your judgnt, Supre 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 mont. "We've heard of it. We've seen fragnts 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 na suggests, God of Machines, allows —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 gain control, not through force, but by surpassing the system's authority itself. Their technology becos 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 sothing 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 agreent. 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 Geno 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 Geno 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 Geno military would be effectively neutralized. And even those remaining forces… well, they'd know. The mont we take control of their command architecture, they'll realize they're facing sothing 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 Genos," 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 Geno Empire scattered across multiple star systems, that will force us—or rather, you, Imperial Commander—to deal with a fragnted resistance."

She leaned forward slightly.

The room fell quiet for a mont 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 mont 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 Genos 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 ans 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 asure. 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 cos 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 genos themselves… then what?" she asked. "It's not like we can integrate the Genos into our fleet structure, right, Commander?"

All eyes turned back to Kallus.