Ch-5 The Obliterator-Class Star Dreadnought.-4

I blinked, my mind racing. "What? 10,000 people? How—why and who?"

Red Empress raised a hand, calming me before I could respond.

"These individuals are your crew, Master Kallus. Each one has been handpicked from across countless universes. They are the most talented in their respective fields—researchers, engineers, warriors, tacticians, and more. Their skills and expertise will be vital to your success."

She paused for a moment, then added, "The Supreme Being has granted them to you to make your progress toward the future slightly easier

My mind reeled at the revelation. The thought of commanding a crew so diverse and extraordinary both thrilled and humbled me.

Memories of my time in the game surfaced—countless hours spent managing fleets, issuing commands, and coordinating thousands of crew members across my ships. But this was different. This wasn't just a simulation; these were real people, each with their own skills, experiences, and expectations.

The weight of responsibility settled deeper, but alongside it, a familiar exhilaration stirred within me. I had done this before—granted, in a game—but now, I would do it for real.

"Can we unfreeze them now?" I asked.

"Master Kallus," she said warmly, "before we proceed to awaken your crew, there is one more thing I must share. In your excitement and confusion, you seem to have overlooked an important detail."

Kallus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What detail?"

The Red Empress gestured toward the holographic display, where two massive ship outlines appeared beside the Obliterator-Class Star Dreadnought.

"You recall, Master, that in the game you designed this ship with two inbuilt shipyards capable of constructing escort vessels?"

I nodded slowly, the memory surfacing through the whirlwind of new information. "Yes, I designed it that way. I wanted the Obliterator to be a mobile fortress, capable of supporting itself and its fleet. But—"

The Red Empress cut me off gently, her smile widening. "The Supreme Being did not forget. While crafting the Obliterator into reality, he also completed the two ships you committed to constructing in your game. They are fully operational and upgraded at the level of obliterator and waiting to serve as your escorts."

I jumped off my command seat, my excitement reignited.

"Are you telling me... those ships are here? Right now? And completely ready to deploy?"

"Indeed, Master," Red Empress confirmed. "Behold: the Antares-class Battleships."

The holographic display zoomed in, revealing the two ships in vivid detail. Each was a behemoth in its own right—measuring 3 kilometers in length, 500 meters in height, and 700 meters in width.

"These ships," the Red Empress continued, "are constructed from the same adamantium alloy as the Obliterator. They are designed to complement your flagship, acting as its vanguard and guardians. The Supreme Being has specified that their roles as escorts are fixed, ensuring your safety and dominance in the stars. My eyes gleamed as I took in the specifications listed beside the ships on the display:

Armament:

4 Capital-Grade Pulse Cannons, capable of tearing through even the most advanced shields in seconds.

10 Super Heavy Laser Turrets, designed for sustained long-range firepower.

30 EW-203 Pulverizes, for concentrated pulse shots in rapid succession.

Power System:

A smaller Transcendent Dark Matter Power Generator ensures that all systems operate seamlessly.

Propulsion: Equipped with 2 large and 6 small Dark Engine Thrusters, making them agile for their size.

Defenses: Advanced shielding systems rivaling those of warships many times their class.

I let out a low whistle. "These ships are... incredible. Their firepower alone would make any fleet think twice before engaging us."

The Red Empress nodded. "They are, Master, and they are yours to command. Their captains and crews will awaken in due time, but for now, the ships operate under the control of the Sentinel AI, ensuring perfect coordination with the Obliterator."

I leaned back, a grin tugging at my lips. "This just keeps getting better. The Obliterator and two Antares-class Battleships—my fleet already feels unstoppable."

The Red Empress's expression softened as she stepped closer to me. "Master Kallus, this is only the beginning. With the crew, these ships, and the missions ahead, you will carve a legacy that will echo across galaxies."

I nodded, my determination rekindled. "Let's deploy them. 

"As you command, Master," the Red Empress replied, her voice filled with pride. "Activating Antares-class escort deployment.

As Red Empress initiated the deployment sequence, a low rumble reverberated through the massive Obliterator-Class Star Dreadnought. The ship's colossal internal mechanisms stirred to life, and two enormous hangar doors, each spanning 4 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in width, slid open from the lower section of the dreadnought.

These were the ship's inner shipyards, designed to construct and maintain escort-class vessels among others—a unique and strategic feature of the Obliterator. The cavernous hangars illuminated with a radiant glow as the deployment system engaged.

Moments later, two towering Antares-Class Battleships emerged from their docks. Their sleek, adamantium-reinforced hulls shimmered under the glow of the hangar lights, a testament to their unmatched durability and design. Slowly but with a commanding presence, they descended from the shipyards and moved outward, maintaining precision in their formation.

When the Antares-Class Battleships reached a distance of 1 kilometer from the dreadnought, their powerful thrusters activated, stabilizing their positions. With perfect synchronization, they adjusted their trajectory, positioning themselves on either side of the Obliterator.

From above, the three ships formed a forward V-shaped formation, with the Obliterator as the central and commanding figure, flanked by its escorts.

Red Empress's voice resonated through the command center. "Master Kallus, the deployment is complete. The Antares-Class Battleships are in position and ready to execute any and all orders.

The Obliterator and its escorts roared to life, their engines glowing with a radiant, otherworldly hue. Together, they formed a fleet that promised power, innovation, and the birth of a legend.

I stood up from my command seat, my eyes sparkling with anticipation. I turned to the Red Empress. "Teleport me to the stasis station. I want to personally welcome these people who are going to be my crew and the backbone of my fleet."

The Red Empress nodded, her holographic form shimmering with approval. With a graceful wave of her hand, the ship's advanced teleportation system activated. A faint hum filled the air before Kallus and the Red Empress vanished from the command center, reappearing moments later in the stasis chamber.

The chamber was vast, its walls lined with rows upon rows of stasis pods glowing softly in the dim light. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I gave a curt nod to the Red Empress. "Let's begin."

Red Empress smiled. With a graceful motion of her hand, the Awakening System came to life. A low hum resonated through the chamber as rows of stasis pods illuminated, their interfaces flickering to life. One by one, the pods hissed open, releasing their occupants.

People stepped forward slowly, their movements sluggish as they shook off the effects of deep sleep. Confusion flickered in their eyes at first, but it quickly gave way to awareness as their training, knowledge, and purpose resurfaced.

Within moments, the chamber echoed with the synchronized movements of 10,000 individuals stepping out of their pods. With precise efficiency, they formed into eight distinct groups, though the distribution among them was not equal.

Engineers, tacticians, scientists, elite warriors—each individual had been carefully chosen by the being. As they stood before me, I felt the weight of command settle over my shoulders. This was my crew. These were the people who would help me carve a path through the unknown.

They all looked at me with various emotions—curiosity, determination, anticipation—but one stood out above all else: absolute reverence toward me.

It was an overwhelming sight, one that made me instinctively glance at the Red Empress. She met my gaze with a knowing expression, already expecting my unspoken question.

"The Supreme Being ensured that their loyalty to you is absolute," she explained. "While reincarnating them and placing them here, they were imbued with an unwavering reverence toward you. They will never betray you, under any circumstance."

I nodded slowly, absorbing her words. It was a strange feeling, knowing that I had been granted their complete and unquestioning loyalty without having earned it myself. But that didn't mean I would take it for granted. True respect isn't given—it's earned.

Knowing they would follow me no matter what didn't mean I could afford to be a weak leader. If anything, it meant I had an even greater responsibility—to prove myself worthy of their trust.

As I watched them, my resolve hardened.

Then, as if on cue, the entire group straightened, their movements crisp and disciplined. With perfect synchronicity, they raised their fists to their chests in a gesture of allegiance. Their voices rang out in unison, a powerful declaration that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We greet the Fleet Commander."

For a moment, I was speechless. but...

At that moment, I wasn't just a gamer who had woken up in a different reality. I was no longer just Kallus, a lone wanderer in an unknown universe.

I was their leader.

 Though humbled by their loyalty, I quickly composed myself, addressing them with a welcoming smile. "Welcome aboard my ship—your new home. Together, we'll soon forge a legacy that will be remembered across the stars."

The crowd responded in perfect unison: "We are honored to serve under you, Fleet Commander."

I nodded at them, allowing a small smirk to form as my confidence grew.

"Alright," I said casually, my voice carrying just the right amount of authority.

"We've got a lot to do, and I'll need to understand what each of you brings to the table. Red Empress," I turned to her, my tone sharpening with purpose, "arrange a meeting with the strongest and most capable individuals from each group."