Legacy of the Void Fleet

In the current timeline, about a week and four days had passed since Kallus left the Obliterator, and about four days had passed since the reconnaissance fleet departed. Today was the day the fleet would receive the official and comprehensive report on their findings.

At Obliterator’s second command center, several key figures had gathered—Fleet Admiral Ezra Tanno, Chief Researcher and Technician Tyler, Imperial Guard Commander Emma, and the Red Empress. They were all awaiting the incoming report from the reconnaissance fleet.

They didn’t have to wait much longer. Soon enough, two figures materialized before them in holographic form—Admiral Will Quention, the commander responsible for the reconnaissance fleet, and Head Researcher Jobs, who led his peers specializing in space-related research and analysis.

Before beginning their report, they performed a formal salute to everyone present, acknowledging their superiors gathered in the Obliterator’s second command center.

Fleet Admiral Ezra gave a nod to both of them before saying, ”At ease, both of you.”

Emma took a step forward, pausing for a moment as she considered something before getting straight to the point.

”What were the findings in the Regal Star System? Do we know why these spatial fluctuations are occurring there?”

She voiced the question that everyone assembled in the Obliterator’s second command center was eager to hear.

On the other side, within the Regal Star System, Admiral Will Quention nodded at Emma’s question before turning to Researcher Jobs. Since Jobs had a better grasp of the situation, it was his responsibility to provide a proper explanation. Stepping forward, the researcher prepared to deliver his report.

Job gave a nod to Admiral Will Quention before stepping forward. He cleared his throat and then replied, ”To answer your question, Imperial Guard Commander Emma—we did find something. And what we found is... well, astounding, to say the least.”

ChatGPT said:

”When we arrived with the reconnaissance fleet, our priority was to scan for any signs of life in the central star system. Even though we already knew there was none, we searched as a precaution before fully assessing the situation. Given the intensity of these spatial fluctuations, we needed to ensure that no unknown factors were at play.”

He paused for a moment, glancing at the assembled leaders. As expected, they all nodded in agreement. Even though the probability of life existing there was low, it couldn’t be ignored—after all, in this yet-unknown super universe, anything was possible.

Taking a deep breath, Job proceeded with his explanation. ”Through our preliminary research and data analysis, we’ve discovered something hidden deep within the layers of space—a vast, concealed planet. Yes, a planet. Or at least, that’s what all our readings and indicators suggest.”

The atmosphere within the Obliterator subtly shifted. A moment of silence followed before murmurs spread across the command center. Even Fleet Admiral Ezra, Chief Researcher Tyler, and Imperial Guard Emma echoed in disbelief. ”A planet?” they repeated, their voices tinged with shock.

Only the Red Empress remained completely unfazed, her expression unchanged—as if she had anticipated this revelation all along.

Well, saying that would be completely wrong.

As Researcher Job spoke, he projected various data points and visual analyses, all reinforcing his claim. ”This planet, for reasons still unknown, has remained hidden within spatial layers, beyond normal detection. However, it is now being pushed out of its current position by an unknown force. Based on our calculations, it will fully emerge into real space within the next two months.”

The reason the Red Empress remained silent and seemingly unaffected was not due to a lack of reaction—it was because, using the Obliterator’s immense computational power, she was actively processing and analyzing every piece of data presented by Researcher Job, running complex calculations to uncover deeper insights.

Emma’s eyes narrowed at Job’s final words. A hidden planet, concealed within the vast layers of space, now being pushed out into real space—this was no ordinary discovery.

She turned her sharp gaze toward him. ”Researcher Job, did you find anything else? The scale of this unknown planet, its current conditions—anything that raises a red flag and warrants immediate attention?”

Job let out a heavy sigh, though it wasn’t one of defeat—it was frustration. Not directed at Emma or anyone else, but at himself and the limitations of their technology.

With a regretful tone, he replied, ”Unfortunately, Imperial Guard Commander Emma, we weren’t able to uncover anything beyond the basic data. Despite all our equipment and efforts, something surrounds the planet-forming a barrier we are unable to penetrate. Even quantum field scans were completely halted by this unknown obstruction, leaving us with no clues as to what might be inside.”

He paused for a moment before continuing,

”As for whether this should be considered a red flag or not, I cannot say for certain. But what I do know is that this requires our attention—though not immediately.”

Emma crossed her arms, deep in thought as she processed Job’s words. Her mind was already racing with possible scenarios. She let out a sigh before turning to Admiral Ezra and the others.

”Not knowing what could be inside that planet is definitely not an ideal scenario—certainly not the best, especially with everything else that will soon start.”

”I think it’s time we notify the Imperial Commander,” Emma said firmly. ”As Researcher Job stated, this matter may not be urgent, but it is still significant.”

Before anyone could respond, the Red Empress, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.

”Chief Researcher Tyler, do you have any guesses or theories as to why this planet—hidden for who knows how many years within the vast spatial layers of deep space—is suddenly being pushed out of its concealed position?” she asked, directing her gaze toward the Fleet’s Chief Researcher.

”Hmm…?”

A wave of confusion spread through the room. Why had the Red Empress directed her question to Tyler, who had been present all along, instead of Jobs, who had personally accompanied the reconnaissance fleet?

Though puzzled, no one interrupted. There had to be a reason behind the Empress’s decision. And despite their curiosity, they allowed Tyler to speak, eager to hear his theories on the matter.

”It could be that whatever device—or force—” Tyler paused, searching for the right words. ”Ah, yes! Arrays and rune-like structures—the ones the Imperial Commander told us about.”

He stroked his chin in thought before continuing. ”If something like that was used to conceal this planet within spatial layers, then it’s possible that its power source has finally run out of energy. If some kind of advanced technology was manipulating space to keep the planet hidden, its depletion could be causing it to slowly re-emerge into real space.”

His theory sent a ripple of realization through the room.

Before anyone could process it further, the Red Empress spoke. ”What is the nature of the energy you speak of, Tyler?”

Tyler casually replied, ”Oh, it should be mana—pure mana.”

”What did you just say, Chief Researcher?” Emma asked, as if she hadn’t heard him correctly—even though she knew she had.

Tyler repeated himself, this time with emphasis. ”I said mana. Exactly that.”

”Then doesn’t that mean…” Emma began, but before she could finish, the Red Empress interrupted her.

”Indeed,” the Empress said, her tone firm. ”I am beginning to think that this planet is as ancient as—or perhaps even older than—the artifact that has kept this region isolated.”

”Then it could certainly be dangerous,” said Fleet Admiral Ezra, his voice laced with caution. ”Or… it could be an opportunity.” He turned to Chief Researcher Tyler. ”What do you say, Chief?”

Tyler blinked in surprise. ”Why are you asking me that, Admiral Ezra? Wait….” His expression shifted as a realization dawned on him.

”There’s a possibility,” Tyler murmured, his mind racing.

”Just as you mentioned,” Fleet Admiral Ezra interjected, ”this planet could have been hidden within the vast spatial layers using some kind of device—or even an array-like structure. Both would require an immense amount of mana to sustain.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, ”Now, let’s consider something. No matter how vast their mana reserves were, they certainly wouldn’t have been limitless, would they? Maintaining the planet’s hidden position must have consumed an enormous amount of mana—after all, manipulating space isn’t something that can be done without sacrifice.”

Ezra’s words drew everyone’s attention, but before he could continue, Emma stepped in, finishing his thought.

”So… what you’re trying to say is that whatever civilization hid itself along with this planet has likely been using its mana reserves solely to maintain their hidden state—rather than for cultivation or any other purpose, correct?”

”Indeed,” Ezra nodded. ”As far as we know, it has been millions of years since this region was cut off by that artifact. And not only did it sever this space from the rest of the galaxy, but it also absorbed all the dense and pure mana to maintain the isolation. Who knows how many millions of years it has been doing this? As the Imperial Commander told us, this is what led to this region becoming barren—stripped of its former glory.”

He let his words settle before continuing. ”Now, think about it—if this is the result outside of the barrier, what about the inside? That planet remained protected, untouched. Unlike the rest of this region, it certainly wouldn’t have suffered the same depletion, would it?”