Confrontation. (2)

After several more days of preparation, the long-anticipated meeting with the Queen of the Khryssari was finally here. Despite Cleo's warnings and his own doubts, Rex had decided to go through with it.

Part of him was genuinely curious, curious to meet someone from one of the strongest factions in the galaxy, a faction that could rival even the megacorps in power.

But circumstances were far from ideal. The Revenant Ascendancy fleet was closing in and could arrive at any moment. Because of this, Cleo, the twins, and the majority of Cleopatra's forces had to remain behind to prepare for the potential battle.

Cleo had argued, in no uncertain terms, that taking anyone else along would only increase the danger to both Rex and themselves. Rex, as usual, brushed off her concern with his usual confidence, but now, standing at the edge of Ys's organic battleship, he couldn't help but feel a small knot of unease forming in his gut.