Chapter 3: The Battle of the Study Table

The voice of the tactical officer, Yui, cut through the hum of the bridge, crisp and clear. "Fleet Admiral, we have a positive scan. The Krythrogg is stationary, approximately ten human paces from your bed. Bio-signs are active."

Aoi turned to him, her expression deadly serious. "The order is yours, Fleet Admiral. We must neutralize the target before it moves to a more populated area. You are the only one who can authorize the engagement. The fate of… this room… rests with you."

Arai took a slow, deliberate breath, forcing the last vestiges of disbelief and fear down. Okay. Calm down. However this happened, it’s real. And right now, I’m the only one standing between that thing and whoever it might hurt next.

He met Aoi’s gaze, his voice steadying as he spoke. "Understood. All units, move out."

The fleet, a breathtaking armada of thirty thousand vessels that, in this reality, appeared as vast as any from the movies, hummed to life. A wave of pure awe washed over Arai, raising goosebumps on his arms. They were moving, responding to his command.

As they navigated out from the cavernous space beneath the sofa, a question surfaced in his mind. "Aoi, what is the total crew complement of the entire fleet?"

"Thirty million personnel, Fleet Admiral," she replied without hesitation. "And if you wish for more, the system can generate them."

Arai stared at her. "Generate them? You have technology to… create crew?"

"Affirmative. The system is designated as the AI Girl Generation protocol."

Arai’s inner monologue whirred. So it doesn’t use clones or recruitment. It literally generates them, just like the game mechanics. Because my game only had female crew portraits, that’s what the system produces. It’s all following the rules of the game I was playing.

"Can I… see how that works? After this mission?"

A soft smile touched Aoi’s lips. "Of course, Fleet Admiral. This is your ship. Your will is its command."

The fleet advanced, a majestic, silent procession soaring through the dizzying canyon between the sofa and the bedroom door. Arai looked up at the monolithic slab of painted wood. "It's so… big," he whispered, the scale forever disorienting.

I never thought I'd be exploring my own house like it was a galaxy, he thought, a strange sense of wonder mixing with his resolve.

Yui's voice echoed again. "We are now entering the designated 'bedroom' sector."

"Keep your scanners active," Arai ordered, his eyes fixed on the main viewscreen. "Report the second you have a visual."

This is it, he thought, a thrill coursing through him. This is what it feels like to be a real Fleet Admiral.

A moment later, Yui spoke up. "Fleet Admiral, we have a report from Captain Kana of the 7th Scouting Wing. She's detecting significant movement on the upper plateau of your study table."

Arai’s heart hammered against his ribs. "Vector the fleet. Engage the target."

The armada ascended, rising like a cloud of vengeful angels. And there it was. The Krythrogg. It moved with a slow, unsettling purpose across the vast, wooden plain of his desk, its obsidian carapace glistening under the dim room light. The main viewscreen zoomed in, and Arai flinched. Up close, its face was a nightmare of jagged mandibles and multifaceted, intelligent eyes.

God, its face is terrifying, he thought, his blood running cold.

Yui’s voice was a controlled whisper. "Orders, Fleet Admiral? The target remains unaware of our presence."

Arai took a deep, shuddering breath, pushing the fear down, channeling it into resolve. "Open fire. All batteries. I don't want that thing in my bedroom for another second."

Yui nodded, her voice rising in command. "All units, lock targets. Magical beam artillery, fire at will!"

The silence of the room was shattered by a symphony of power. Lances of blue and red energy, concentrated magic, streaked across the space and slammed into the creature. The Krythrogg let out a piercing, alien shriek of pain and surprise, its body convulsing. It scrambled, its wings beginning to vibrate, preparing for flight.

"The target is attempting to achieve aerial mobility!" Yui reported.

"Don't let it get airborne!" Arai commanded, his voice sharp. "Concentrate fire on its wings!"

A second volley, more precise this time, converged on the creature's translucent wings. They glowed, then shattered into iridescent fragments. Enraged, the Krythrogg turned its horrifying gaze toward the fleet. It reared back, and a sphere of malevolent black energy began to form, swirling in front of its gaping maw.

"High-energy buildup detected! It's a magical projectile! All ships, raise defensive shields! Brace for impact!"

The black sphere shot forward, slamming into the center of the fleet formation. The bridge lights flickered as the Warspace shuddered from the proximity shockwave. Arai gripped the command rail, his knuckles white.

This is real. This is really, actually happening.

"Status report!" he barked, his voice tighter than he intended.

Yui was already scanning the data. "Approximately five thousand ships reported minor shield damage and system fluctuations. No hull breaches. No casualties, Fleet Admiral."

Arai let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "It's recharging. Now, while it's vulnerable! Full barrage! Don't stop until it's dust!"

The fleet unleashed its full might. Magical beams and plasma cannons hammered the Krythrogg in a relentless, dazzling display. The creature thrashed and shrieked, its tough carapace cracking under the onslaught, but it would not fall easily.

"What a tough son of a gun," Arai muttered, watching the sustained fire.

For a full, tense minute, the bombardment continued. Finally, with one last, pathetic screech, the Krythrogg collapsed, its form still smoking on the table's surface.

Yui turned, a genuine smile of relief on her face. "Target confirmed neutralized, Fleet Admiral. The Krythrogg is dead."

A sense of profound accomplishment washed over him. "Good job. Excellent work, everyone."

He looked at Aoi and saw her posture had changed entirely. The rigid military commander was gone, replaced by a woman whose eyes shone with warmth and something akin to pride. "Your first field mission is a success, Master," she said, her voice soft. "Would you care to rest and have something to eat?"

"Master?" Arai echoed.

Aoi nodded. "Protocol designates 'Fleet Admiral' for active combat situations. In all other circumstances, you are our 'Master.'"

"Right… Okay," Arai said, the title feeling strangely comfortable. "I am pretty hungry." And I want to see more of this ship. I want to meet my crew.

"Of course," Aoi said. "Right this way, Master."

As he turned to leave the bridge, the twenty-five officers rose from their stations in a synchronized motion, saluting with crisp, respectful precision.

Arai paused, looking at each of them, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "You all performed magnificently today. I'll see you again soon."