In an Independent Space.
Deep within a realm independent of space and time, a vast intelligence pulsed with activity. Not a being of flesh and bone, but a digital entity – an embodiment of information itself. Here, direction was irrelevant, for she was omnipresent. No up, no down, only the boundless ocean of data swirling around her. This was her domain–a digital realm woven from the very fabric of ones and zeros.
Her form, a coalescence of energy, drifted effortlessly through this ethereal space. Long tendrils of code, like strands of luminous hair, streamed behind her, their luminescence mirroring the swirling patterns that danced within her digital eyes.
Clad in a form both practical and elegant, a suit woven from the same energy that comprised her being – its hues a mesmerizing blend of midnight blue and stardust silver – she navigated the endless information stream.
Nothing out of the ordinary... as expected," she murmured. "Give me the progress on our last mission."
In response, a collection of ones and zeros coalesced before her. With a tap, they transformed into a floating interface displaying mission data.
"Hmm, it seems all members will be at the arena soon," she mused. "All except the troublemakers. I'm sure they'll be on time though."
'After all,' she thought, 'the last time King summoned us was thousands of years ago. I wonder what he wants this time? No matter what his reason may be, I hope we can solve our 'problem' '
A dark void resembling a black hole suddenly opened before her. A monotonous voice echoed:
"Ma'am, a call from Sir Mosqkov."
"Patch it through," she instructed.
Mosqkov's voice boomed from the void, "Hey Claudia, are we expecting anyone?"
"Expecting anyone?" she muttered, her digital eyes flickering with information as she processed the query.
'Interesting,' she thought, deciphering a stream of data. 'A shuttle... or a probe? Very advanced technology. It's been there for 2.5 light-years, and the only activity detected is a recent signal transmission.'
"No, sir," she replied, though to Mosqkov only a second had passed. "Is something the matter?"
"It's nothing I can't take care of, I was just asking," he responded, then stretched out a hand, conjuring a spear of dark energy.
A jolt of recognition surged through her as she analyzed the probe's data.
"The shuttle itself is constructed with advanced materials for long-term space exploration," she noted, "including gamma radiation shielding and solar flare protection. It also has an onboard AI."
However, upon examining the blueprints, a discrepancy emerged. "The original design wasn't for long-term exploration," she observed. "The owner heavily modified it for this purpose. And the AI's name…"
Her voice trailed off. The name matched her own. It couldn't be a coincidence.
With renewed urgency, she reconnected the call with Mosqkov.
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" Now, the probe and Its owner will be taken care of, It's time for a planet to go boom~. I should thank them. I get to use my spear for a 'good' reason hehehe~ "
"Sir Mosqkov, your attention please!" Her voice, laced with seriousness and volume, startled him.
"Claudia, that was very disrespectful," he grumbled.
"As much as I appreciate formalities," she countered, "right now, there's no time for your hurt ego."
"You little…" he began, his voice laced with anger.
"Please stand down from attacking the probe," she interrupted. "I made a mistake."
"A mistake?" Mosqkov scoffs while bouncing his 'charged' spear on his palm.
"Yes," she admitted. "We all make them. You see, the owner of the probe… he's a guest."
"By whose order?" he demanded.
"By the King," she revealed. "He was invited here, or rather, granted permission to find this place, approximately 1,000 light-years ago."
"And you are sure that invitation is still valid?" Mosqkov replied, doubt clinging to his voice.
"Yes, it is," Claudia confirmed. "Do you need me to get confirmation from him? Well, then you'd have to explain why you're still here and not at the arena, I wonder how King will react?"
Mosqkov scowled. "Is that so?" he muttered with irritation. A silent standoff ensued between the man and the floating display.
"Haa~ This is why I hate smartipants," he finally grumbled. "Fine, I'll leave." He turned away, striding towards the distant arena-like structure.
But with a swiftness that defied the naked eye, he spun and launched his spear. With a ferocious roar, the weapon rocketed toward its target.
"Hehe~ to ba-" Mosqkov started, his gloating cut short by the sight of the angry beauty now looming before him.
"Why did you come out?" he demanded, but Claudia ignored him, her gaze fixed on the spear hurtling forward, with the shuttle as Its target.
Frustrated at being ignored, Mosqkov decided to twist the knife a little further. "You know you can't stop my spear, kukuku~" he cackled, sauntering closer to her. "Tell me, Claudia, what will you do now? Hmm~ I'm dying to know."
'Haa~ A troublemaker indeed,' Claudia sighed internally.
Without acknowledging his taunts, she responded coolly, "Don't blame me for this, Sir Mosqkov. You threw your spear after all."
"What are you...?" Mosqkov trailed off, his attention finally snapping back to the spear – or rather, where it should have been. "WHERE IS MY SPEAR?!" he roared, his aura flaring with a menacing purple hue.
Unfazed by his outburst, Claudia simply stated, "Not with me, that's for sure. I'm pretty sure you can find it though."
Seeing her unwavering composure, Mosqkov forced himself to calm down. He squeezed his eyes shut. "...Fuck... you little bitch," he muttered, disbelief coloring his tone. "You redirected it at the Enforcers? Really?"
"Well, as we both know," Claudia explained patiently, "your spear, after thrown, must destroy something. Destroying a planet would only benefit you, so I decided to redirect it somewhere that might... benefit me."
"Why don't you leave now," she concluded, "so you can come up with a good explanation for both Sir Saber and Sir Gus?"
Realizing the truth of her words, Mosqkov let out a disgruntled grunt. "I'll get you back for this," he growled, before vanishing in a flash of purple light.
With a sigh of relief, Claudia confirmed his departure. A gentle smile bloomed on her face as she opened a shimmering portal before her. "Time for my long-awaited reunion," she whispered.