Intergalactic conquest with an AI

Chapter 140 Casino night.

The cruiser itself was enormous, so massive, in fact, that it operated more like a floating city than a ship. Moving from one end to the other on foot was practically impossible.

To accommodate the vast distances, the cruiser offered public transportation for its passengers, sleek, automated shuttles that zipped along dedicated tramways, ferrying guests to and from the many entertainment venues.

But for those fortunate enough to be traveling under VIP status, the experience was on another level entirely.

Private luxury transports were available, complete with plush seating, chilled drinks, and even a dedicated concierge bot to cater to their every whim. Unsurprisingly, Cleo had made sure their group qualified for this exclusive treatment.

As Rex and the others stepped into their private transport, the difference was immediately noticeable. The interior was sleek and futuristic, with soft lighting that set a relaxed ambiance.

The walls shimmered faintly with embedded holo-displays showing scenic views of the galaxy outside. The seats were oversized and cushioned, upholstered in a material that seemed to adjust itself for maximum comfort as soon as they sat down.

"Wow,"

Rex muttered, sinking into one of the seats.

"This... is ridiculous. In a good way."

Carlos flopped down in the seat across from him, spreading his arms wid

e. "Now this is what I'm talking about! VIP treatment, baby!"

He leaned back, letting the seat practically swallow him whole.

"Man, I don't know why we don't do this kind of stuff more often."

Ys, already seated next to Rex, crossed one leg over the other with a small smirk.

"Because someone keeps getting us into fights with pirates and alien death cults, that's why."

Carlos shot her a mock glare.

"Hey, those pirates attacked us first. I was just making sure they regretted it."

"By blowing up half their fleet and nearly taking you down too?"

Cleo interjected, her tone as sharp as ever as she stepped into the transport behind them.

She gave Carlos a pointed look before gracefully taking the seat on Rex's other side.

"Honestly, sometimes I wonder how you even made it to adulthood."

Carlos shrugged, grinning.

"Luck, mostly. And this charming personality."

He gestured to himself with a flourish.

Cleo rolled her eyes but chose not to dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned to Rex, her expression softening.

"What do you think of the VIP experience so far? Comfortable enough for you?"

Rex leaned back, glancing around the sleek transport.

"Yeah, I'll admit, this is nice. A little too nice, actually. I'm starting to wonder if I should be worried about the bill at the end of all this."

Cleo gave him a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about that. It's all covered. Consider it my treat."

"Your treat?"

Rex raised an eyebrow.

"How exactly does that work? Aren't we technically one?"

"We are,"

Cleo said with a faintly amused tone.

"But that doesn't mean I can't manage the budget efficiently enough to set something aside for special occasions."

Rex opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it.

"You know what? I'm not even going to question it. Thanks, Cleo."

Carlos leaned forward, grinning.

"You're spoiling him, Cleo. Next thing you know, he's going to expect VIP treatment everywhere we go."

Rex smirked, shrugging.

"Not my fault I'm this charming."

Ys huffed softly, leaning closer to Rex.

"You don't need charm, darling?. You've got me to make sure you're taken care of."

Cleo's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile tightening, but she didn't say anything. Carlos, meanwhile, was doing his best to hold back laughter as he watched the subtle tension between the two women escalate.

"Alright, alright,"

Rex said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Let's just enjoy the ride, okay? No fighting before we even get to the casino."

As the transport began to move, the soft hum of its engines added to the relaxed atmosphere. Outside the windows, the glowing lights of the cruiser's many entertainment districts whizzed by, showcasing the sheer scale of the ship. The view was almost hypnotic.

"

So,"

Carlos said, breaking the silence as he looked at Rex.

"Any plans for what you're going to do first at the casino? Slots? Cards? Maybe roulette?"

Rex shrugged.

"Honestly? I have no idea. I've never been to a real casino before, remember? I figure I'll just follow Cleo and Ys's lead and see what happens."

Carlos raised an eyebrow.

"You're going to let them lead? Dude, you're going to get cleaned out."

"I heard that,"

Cleo said without looking up, her tone calm but icy enough to make Carlos sit back in his seat.

"For your information, I've run simulations on most common casino games. Statistically speaking, I'm far more likely to win than someone like you."

Ys snorted.

"Simulations? That's cute. Winning in a casino isn't about stats; it's about instinct. You'd know that if you weren't so... mechanical."

"Mechanical?"

Cleo's gaze flicked to Ys, her tone sharp. "

I'll have you know that."

"Okay, okay!"

Rex interjected, raising his hands again to cut off the brewing argument.

"Let's just get there first before you two start competing over who can bankrupt the casino faster."

Carlos laughed, leaning back in his seat. "

I'm putting my money on Cleo. No offense, Ys."

Ys rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. Cleo, for her part, looked rather smug.

As the transport slowed to a halt, a smooth voice emanated from the onboard speaker.

[Now arriving at the VIP entrance to the Grand Stellar Casino.]

[We hope you enjoy your evening.]

The doors slid open, revealing a grand entryway that glittered with gold and light. A red carpet stretched out before them, leading into a massive atrium where the sounds of laughter, music, and the rhythmic clinking of chips filled the air.

Carlos let out a low whistle.

"Now this is a casino."

Rex adjusted his jacket, taking a deep breath.

"Alright. Let's see what all the fuss is about."

"Well then, you guys go and enjoy yourselves. I'm off to the nightclub to find some lonely, desolate ladies who can't resist a taste of this delicious black chocolate,"

Carlos declared with a dramatic smirk, striking a Casanova pose that made him look more ridiculous than charming.

Rex burst out laughing, shaking his head.

"Hahaha, yeah, sure. Just try not to get killed while you're there, alright? And don't drink so much that you wake up in someone's storage closet."

"Please, Rex. A man of my caliber doesn't 'wake up' in closets. I wake up in luxury, surrounded by admirers.

" Carlos shot Rex a playful wink before heading off toward the private vehicle that would take him to the recommended nightclub.

Meanwhile, Rex barely had time to wave Carlos off before Ys grabbed one of his arms and Cleo took the other. Without missing a beat, the two women started dragging him into the glowing entrance of the casino.

"Guess I don't have a choice here,"

Rex muttered, glancing at both of them.

"Alright, lead the way, ladies."

Inside the casino, Rex found himself momentarily stunned. The place was massive, like a grand palace dedicated to one thing... wealth. Rows of brightly colored machines lined the floors, their screens flashing in dazzling neon patterns as passengers tried their luck.

Holo-displays floated above the machines, advertising jackpot winnings and showing statistics that only seemed to tempt players into losing more money.

The smell of expensive cologne and freshly made food lingered in the air, blending with the faint hum of machinery and the sounds of laughter, cheering, and groaning from the tables.

Rex's eyes traveled further, landing on an unexpected sight, a large arena sunken into the floor, surrounded by high-tech barricades and energy fields.

Spotlights lit the center of the arena, where two combatants were fighting viciously, one clearly a seasoned gladiator, the other an unlucky criminal who was wildly swinging a rusted blade.

The roar of the crowd above them was deafening as the gladiator easily sidestepped his opponent's clumsy attacks.

"

Wait… is that an arena?"

Rex asked, pointing toward it.

"They actually have people fighting down there?"

Cleo, who had been casually analyzing the surroundings, glanced at the arena and nodded.

"Affirmative. That's the casino's personal gladiatorial arena. It's a popular attraction for the VIPs. The fighters are usually criminals or pirates captured by the megacorp patrols. Since they've already been sentenced to death, the arena is where they meet their end, while entertaining the guests, of course."

Rex frowned, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

"That… feels sketchy. Is this even legal?"

Cleo tilted her head toward a group of men stationed around the arena, all dressed in sleek black uniforms with a small megacorp emblem stitched onto their sleeves.

"

See those individuals in black? They're agents from the megacorp patrols. Their job is to ensure that the criminals don't try to escape. If someone tries to run, they're authorized to shoot on sight. It's not exactly legal… more like a gray zone. Officially, it's a form of 'entertainment' for those who can afford it, and technically, the participants are condemned criminals."

Rex shook his head slowly, his gaze lingering on the arena.

"Gray zone or not, that's messed up."

As Cleo continued explaining the rules of the arena which she had downloaded in detail before arriving, a man dressed in expensive but casual attire approached the group.

He had the smug confidence of someone who thought himself important, though his piercing gaze wandered a bit too freely over Cleo and Ys before finally settling on Rex.

"Hello, my friend,"

the man said, his voice smooth but carrying an oily undertone. "

I see you're interested in the arena. Perhaps you'd like to do more than watch? How about joining a match yourself?"

His smile stretched a little too wide, revealing perfect teeth that looked suspiciously artificial.

Rex turned to face him, his expression neutral.

"And you are?"

The man straightened, placing one hand over his chest as if preparing to deliver a grand speech

.

"Ah, where are my manners? I am Darius Tameron, the esteemed manager of this fine arena. While it is primarily used for hosting matches between convicted criminals, we also allow those confident in their strength to enter the ring. Champions have the opportunity to win not only glory but significant prizes as well."

Rex raised an eyebrow.

"Prizes? Like what?"

Darius grinned