06:00 IST, Twentieth day, Fourth month, 3079 PV | System Stelarum / Planet City Stelarum / City Stelarum / Royal Quarters

  “Darling, I want pancakes.”

  “You know that we don't have any grain yet. We are stuck to rations until the first harvest cycle is over.”

  “But, this is so unfair! Aren't we like the rulers of this planet? The people should be wishing to serve our every whim.” Ray says, as we are lying on a gigantic supercomfy bed. In our fairly large bedroom in the capital building.

  I rub her head, hoping to offer some comfort. “Dont you remember? We did that big speech about freedom and individuality. In order for our master plan to all come together we can't lord over people. We've gotta be humble.”

  “Is that why you've had us slaving away in the streets like worker bees?”

  “We, the super augmented humans, have been helping to carry some materials for road construction. I'm sorry if it's too much for little Ms. Genius Prodigy Princess.”

  “What a big meanie. Mr. Jerkface.” She gives me a not-so-light punch on the shoulder. Oh, how wonderful my life is.

  “What’s got you so temperamental lately? Four days of Lordship shouldn't be enough for one to develop a complex this severe.”

  “I'm not temperamental!” she says, and then jumps out of bed only to storm out of the room. Looking quite temperamental.

  “Dont forget to put on clothes!” I yell as she runs out the door.

  I lay alone on the bed. Contemplating what just transpired, I can only come to one reason why reality turned out as such.

  Humans are a pain.

  Unfortunately this one particular human is super cute and has my heart in an iron grip. I'm glad though, such outcomes are often thought to be the sole goal of one's mortal life. I can now see why many strive for such an outcome.

  I think I'm going to let Ray have a break today. After all, hard labor isn't good for queens. Or so I've heard. Instead, I get dressed and head out to the current worksites.

  The progress of the city has come on quite well. We currently have about 200,000 people actively working. Though most of them are cycling out to rest and relax aboard the station still. So far we have the main capital building and a few warehouses fully complete.

  Agricultural districts are also coming along great. The first crop is expected to be planted within a day. Until we can get some reliable fresh food, we will be reliant upon algae-based rations grown in orbit. They don't taste very good.

  Industrial projects have yet to be started, as fundamental infrastructure is more important. The station has a few industrial facilities capable of refining the materials that we get from clearing land.

  Currently, I'm en route to the military district. Most of the command infrastructure has been set up, but all of the barracks and training facilities still need a bit of work.

  Thankfully, many of the roads are at least in decent condition. Though we are currently relegated to walking or a vehicle if you are one of the few divisions lucky to get one.

  All in all, it feels like what you'd expect a frontier colony on a new planet to feel like.

  I suck in a deep breath of fresh air.

  As I exhale I ready myself for a long day of work. After all, I'm a citizen here too. It only makes sense that I lend my aid. Especially given my ability to assist in the construction.

  By the way, the Order is full of geniuses. In order to get away with using gesir-based abilities in the open, they have a cover story. Something about arcane tech that allows them to control nanomachines. Which isn't all too far from the truth. As they say, every lie must contain at least a kernel of truth.

  Initae still hasn't shown up. Though I imagine she is watching from somewhere. Probably waiting to show up when everything starts failing with a bit ‘‘told ya so’. Well, unfortunately for her, we don't plan to let our colony fail.

  I reach the military district and pick up my work equipment from the nearby workhouse. A fancy exo-mech that assists in carrying around beams and panels and such.

  Also, I'm a bit unique. Apparently I have a ridiculously high skill in processing information. Which means I can manipulate 4 drone bodies in addition to my own. The average being might be able to do one. Four is unheard of outside of the Zekan.

  They aren't quite as good as my normal body, but they can be very helpful. Especially when it comes to carrying really heavy loads that would normally require multiple people. I'm basically able to do the work of five people by myself. Not counting my inae wielding skills.

  “Nice to see ya, milord. Let's have another great day!” One of the workers, I think her name might be Lona (not sure), greets me as I arrive at the worksite.

  “Glad to be here. Here's to yet another wonderful day!”

  I exchange greetings with several of the other workers. Off the top of my head I can remember; Kina, Beil, Bob, Fred, Soran, Yui, and Veln. Currently there are about twenty people assigned to construct this current barracks.

  You'd think that we'd have some fancy alien tech or something to change the building process. But it turns out that isn't really the case. Outside of super highly advanced core worlds, most of the universe operates at a technological level superior to humanity, but nowhere close to the highest echelons.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  As for us, we've got mechs and cool tools to help build things. Plus some people can control drones or whatnot. Mobile AI’s aren't really suitable for doing much beyond simple tasks. Like transporting resources between destinations, or piloting ships.

  It turns out that MPADs like Alex and Duck are super highly advanced and basically prototypes. The main problem with having such advanced AI is the power requirements. The computers are very energy intensive and still require a decent amount of space for cooling. Compacting Antimatter reactors can only work so much due to technical limitations, so smaller devices (like the mechs we have) are limited to battery or micro-fission reactors.

  Its like the aliens shoved all the super cool fancy stuff in our faces off the bat. Get all the humans hyped and excited to get into colonization programs. Then shipped us off to this colony and told us that the common stuff isn't actually very fancy.

  Kinda feels like false advertising.

  Granted, even this ‘common’ stuff is leagues ahead of what humanity has. If not function, the components and overall design are eons ahead of humanity. So I can't really complain, it sure beats having to do it with good ol elbow grease.

  I spent several hours working on the site. By making use of my several bodies and telekinesis I am a real unit. The team and I managed to put together three whole barracks buildings. Each capable of housing 200 soldiers. Yesterday we only managed to get two, so the improvement is showing.

  I say my goodbyes to the crew and depart. While I still choose to work, I technically don't have to. So I end up leaving an hour or so early to walk around the city and observe it.

  After all, it is Ray and I’s city. Shouldn't we want to view that which we are responsible for?

  I'm sure I could find Ray in one of the few bars that have been established. Somehow she managed to convince some of the ministers that some bars were of the utmost priority. Though she constantly complains about how inferior algae-based alcohol is. When you’re used to the good stuff, some ethanol in water definitely doesn't sit quite right. Still, alcohol is alcohol she says, then proceeds to down an amount that would kill twenty unaugmented humans.

  As I pass by, many people greet me with a simple nod of the head, or “gooday/evening milord.”

  It seems that our policy of rank respect, but not idolization has worked. Which is a direct contrast to our wider universal stances. But hey, we are a bunch of individuals, right? So we can do things differently in front of different people. All in the efforts to achieve our goals of ruling humanity.

  There has only been one major issue so far in our plans.

  Some distance to the east, we have picked up records of a large swathe of burning grassland. Our strategists posit that this could be a result of illegal pirates or poachers. Hence why we have been focusing on getting military operations up and running.

  I think next week we are planning an operation to go search that general direction. Hopefully we don't find anything, I would rather our planet not be marred with blood. But such minor scuffles are to be expected every now and then.

  Though, I wouldn't be surprised if Ray is itching for a bit of combat. I bet she would look super cute in a mech suit. I always want to ask her to try on that flight suit that she had when we first reunited. But I haven't worked up the nerve.

  I feel like she might tease me relentlessly. Though, now that I'm writing it out. That could be fun in its own right.

  I know. Once I go find Ray, I'll ask her. Hopefully that can get her out of the mood she has been in recently.

  While I do miss her cute face, I think I should let her drink a bit longer. After all, alcohol serves as a great social lubricant. Thus making it easier for apologies, right?

  Instead, I seek out my good pal Rigar. They have been busy training some of our fresh recruits in a temporary camp just outside the city. Whipping some human warriors into shape is important. Currently our entire military consists of 500 Order warriors. While they are the top of the line, we will need people to crew ships and act as a police force eventually.

  I take a transport that is heading out in that general direction. Which saves me several minutes of trekking through the very thick grassland. The grass is crazy by the way. In most cases it's two meters tall and quite dense. Every step through it feels like you're wading through thick muck. Somehow no matter how much we cut down, it just grows back quickly unless we use excessive measures.

  On a positive side, our scientists have designed several power plants to process all the extra biomass. Plus it will come in handy when we eventually need to raise livestock. The entire planet is basically designed for grazing of Kelin and other animals. Or rather, the animals are designed around the planet. I always forget that its the organisms that adapt to the environment and not the other way around.

  Which is silly, because I'm a human and humans’ primary trait is our ability to adapt to any situation.

  I get out of the transport truck and I start to search for Rigar.

  It doesn't take me long to hear Rigar’s voice booming drill orders out. They do project quite a bit, which is great for a military sergeant I suppose.

  I head in the direction and soon find Rigar. Giving orders to a group of about 200 fresh human recruits. Poor folks, they have no idea the rigorous training that is in store for them. Maybe we should've put a warning up saying that enlisting would guarantee you wishing that you didn't.

  Oh well, it builds character and discipline. I think.

  “Greetings, O Great Rigar, breaker of universes.”

  “Lord Kovon! What a pleasure it is to see you, old comrade.”

  “Old comrade? We've barely known each other for a couple months.”

  “Well you see, on the battlefield, if you spend more than a month with someone, you've practically known each other your entire lives.”

  “Thats simultaneously depressing but also somehow sweet.”

  “That is oft the nature of battle, sir.”

  “Now, how is this batch of fresh meat coming along?” As I say this, many of the recruits look at me with a look of absolute terror. I can infer that these might be some of the earliest recruits. Now terrified that this is only the beginning. Oh, how right they are.

  “They are shaping up quite decently. For a bunch of sacks of meat. Might be able to dig some trenches pretty soon. Give me a few months and I'll have them wielding railguns and shock-spears though.”

  “Good to hear, keep up the good work. Big fella.”

  “Of course, all in the service of Initae!”

  Hmm, I forgot, Rigar and the rest of the order are still kinda a part of a religion with Initae at its head. Given how she is, it can be hard to remember that she does head one of, if not the most, powerful organizations in the universe. Plus, she is basically a god.

  A very panicked looking soldier quickly appears out of the grass and comes running over to us. “Commander! Commander! We've got some bad news! Oh, milord, thank goodness you are here too! There has been important news!”

  “Well, spit it out, recruit. Don't keep our lordship waiting. I bet he is a busy fella.”

  “Oh.. Of course! At approximately oh-nineteen hundred hours, we received a communication. We think it came from the east, beyond the fire lines. We managed to decode it and it gave us a very troubling message;

  ‘If you wish to save your Queen. Prepare to Burn.’”

  Well. That's quite an interesting development. I sure hope it's not what I think it is. But, whatever it may be. I say, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 61

  Next: Chapter 62 | Ignis Plains