Hours had passed since the demonstration of the runic revolver, and now Roy sat quietly in a makeshift studio within the auditorium, carefully reviewing the script he'd written. Behind him, a simple but dignified backdrop had been prepared. Nearby, Serenity's voice broke the silence softly.
"The Kaigun Dominion appears to still be searching for nonexistent sunken Nightshatter," Serenity reported. "The high altitude drones confirm it. We're clear on that front, no immediate rush."
Roy nodded, though he hardly glanced up. "We're already set to proceed anyway. Are all the drones positioned over the Kaigun Dominion?"
"Yes, Captain," Serenity affirmed.
"And the dwarves, have they completed their preparations?"
"Fully complete and standing by."
"Good," Roy sighed, folding the script in his lap. He stared thoughtfully for a moment, reviewing the lines silently one last time.
A hesitant tap on his shoulder drew his attention away. Takara stood beside him, biting her lip anxiously.
"Roy," she began quietly, "are you really going through with killing innocent people? Civilians?"
Roy met her eyes gently. "No. It was never my intention to follow through with that. You should already know better. The reason I went along with that discussion during the council meeting was to understand their thinking and avoid repeating our world's history and show that we got the job done without resorting to that. An example for the future."
She visibly relaxed. "Then what—?"
"Just play along," Roy interrupted, voice calm but firm. "The nuke will detonate prematurely. You and Serenity both will explain that diagnostics indicated a faulty sensor or something minor. Suggest another launch, but I'll wave it off."
"I understand," Takara said, relief washing over her.
Just then, two Presidroids approached, carefully bearing a platter upon which rested a freshly baked muffin.
"Your Nuke Time Muffin, Captain," one intoned with ceremonious precision.
Roy took it with a large smile. "Thanks, guys."
As Roy rose and stretched, Takara leaned closer, a sly smile crossing her lips. "You know, while we're still alone in your little dressing-room corner, you did promise me that kiss back during the battle with Caliban..."
Roy's eyes widened, and he immediately shouted toward the crew behind him. "Is everyone ready? Let's begin filming early!"
Takara scowled as Roy quickly stepped away, taking his position before the camera drones. He took a deep breath, recentering himself into the persona of the charismatic, ruthless ringmaster that would soon broadcast across the Kaigun Dominion.
He glanced at the live feed projected onto the screen beside him, provided by surveillance drones now hovering above the Dominion. From the high vantage point, Roy studied the breathtaking empire stretched below. A vast city sprawled across a colossal lake, intricate islands, some suspended in the air by magic, interconnected by a network of expansive artificial rivers shimmering in the afternoon sun.
Roy's breath caught briefly at the sight. "I've only seen a map of the area before but, ironically, it looks like some kind of fantasy mix between feudal Japan and magical medieval Europe," he murmured to no one in particular. "Their reputation as the third-largest empire certainly isn't exaggerated." He shot Lutrian a teasing glance. "Makes your Umbral Consortium look modest by comparison."
Lutrian frowned slightly, adjusting his robes. "Size isn't everything."
A chuckle slipped from Roy as he focused again, marking the precise island inhabited predominantly by bureaucrats and corrupt officials, situated behind the massive central palace, the seat of the Daigensui himself.
"Just to clarify again," Roy murmured to Lutrian, "their leader's title is Daigensui, correct?"
"Yes, precisely," Lutrian confirmed. "The Daigensui of the Kaigun Dominion."
Roy nodded, motioning the drones into their final positions. Thousands hovered quietly over the Dominion, some projecting a massive blank canvas near the central palace, others equipped with speakers awaiting his address. Serenity's voice whispered through Roy's comm, excited yet focused.
"This is kind of thrilling," she confessed. "I've never had to control so many drones simultaneously. It's not difficult in any way, but it's definitely a new kind of fun."
Roy gave a small smile, shaking off the last threads of tension. "Glad you're enjoying yourself, Serenity. Ready for countdown?"
"Yes, Captain," Serenity replied, an edge of excitement in her usually composed voice. "All drones ready. Presidroids, confirm camera angles."
"Presidroid Team Alpha, ready!" echoed one synthetic voice.
"Team Beta, optimal positioning confirmed," another affirmed.
Serenity nodded, her voice calm but firm. "Spotlight drones, drop altitude slightly. We need dramatic angles here. Presidroids, tighten camera three, give me a perfect mid-shot. We want authority, we want arrogance. Remember, this is theatre."
Roy adjusted his posture, adopting the intimidating persona he'd crafted for himself. Before he could begin the countdown, one Presidroid quickly raised a metallic finger.
"Captain!" the Presidroid called out urgently. "Your Nuke Time Muffin! Don't forget to take a bite at least!"
"Thanks for the reminder," Roy said as he took a quick bite, swallowing hastily, and wiped crumbs from his mouth. "Okay, initiating countdown. Serenity, deploy our observer."
Above the majestic Palace of the Daigensui, a sleek jet tore through the clouds. From its open hatch, a Presidroid gracefully leapt into the wind, hurtling downward before landing precisely atop the ornate rooftop balcony. Roy watched intently as the Presidroid stabilized itself, providing a clear live feed directly to his view-screen.
"There," Roy muttered. "We have visual confirmation. Daigensui spotted."
Through the drone feed, Roy observed the Daigensui, a tall figure clad in regal robes, posture rigid with a near-supernatural confidence, stepping onto his grand balcony, hands clasped calmly behind his back. The leader turned, glaring imperiously at the intruder who had dared land atop his palace.
Roy straightened, cracking his neck slightly. "We're broadcasting in ten..."
Serenity's voice murmured instructions around him, directing cameras into the perfect angles, lights shifting slightly to enhance the drama.
"Nine... eight..."
Harmony guided spotlights to cast long, intimidating shadows around Roy's form, deepening his appearance of ruthless confidence.
"Seven... six..."
Presidroids positioned additional microphones, ensuring crystal-clear audio.
"Five... four..."
"Captain, all speaker carrying drones over Dominion cities ready for simultaneous projection," Serenity assured him.
"Three... two..."
Roy swallowed a final nervous bite of his muffin. "Showtime."
"One."
The lights around Roy intensified, casting a powerful glow onto his dramatic figure, robes fluttering slightly in an artificially generated breeze. The broadcast went live across the Kaigun Dominion instantly, large canvases draped from heavy lift drones with the broadcast projected one were visible to almost every street corner, every plaza, every residential district.
Roy let out a dark, resonant laugh, spreading his arms wide in exaggerated welcome, his eyes alight with manic authority.
"Good people of the Kaigun Dominion!" he boomed, voice rich with theatrical menace. "No doubt you've celebrated prematurely, confident that my mighty vessel, the Nightshatter, now rests in pieces beneath the waves. Unfortunately, your celebrations were a bit premature."
He leaned closer to the camera drone, his expression twisting into a chilling smile. "Now, instead of freedom from my presence, you've earned my full attention and the extraordinary wrath of the Nightshatter itself. But rest assured," he paused theatrically, "our wrath is generously tempered with extraordinary mercy."
Roy gestured dramatically upward, his hand rising as three massive beams of brilliant light, precisely choreographed by Harmony's drones, illuminated three separate islands of the Dominion's sprawling cityscape.
"One of these beautiful islands shall vanish in flames of my will," Roy declared calmly. "Which one? Well, that's your delightful little mystery to ponder."
Behind the Daigensui, speaker drones relayed every word clearly. Roy's voice echoed through the Dominion's trembling streets. Civilians began crying out in panic, confusion rippling through the city.
The Daigensui stood utterly unmoved, face carved from stone as he watched the unfolding broadcast, turning dismissively toward the Presidroid on his balcony. Without hesitation, the regal figure conjured a spiraling volley of incandescent magical spheres, effortlessly flinging them toward the intruder. The Presidroid barely managed to sidestep the assault, spheres crashing harmlessly past.
Roy watched tensely, mouth tightened. "You'd better survive this," he muttered under his breath.
The Daigensui stepped forward slowly, utterly confident, until Roy could almost sense the sheer force of his authority through the Presidroid's live feed. His voice emerged strong, commanding, dripping with a centuries-honed arrogance.
"Fascinating," the Daigensui spoke, voice deep and resonant, echoing clearly through the broadcast. "Who'd have thought such a small, fragile-looking boy could display such bravado? If you're here to act, spare me the theatrics. Do whatever it is you've come here to do."
Roy laughed loudly, contemptuously doubling over. "Wait! Wait!" he said between fits of laughter. "Hold on just a moment! Let's be reasonable. I came here offering peace. Never attack me, and I'll never unleash the full horror I'm capable of upon you."
The Daigensui's eyes narrowed dangerously, his tone icy with disdain. "Peace? You think the Kaigun Dominion fears a fledgling nation, a single ship with a handful of fanatics? We have stood for three thousand years against threats far greater than your pitiful display."
He stepped closer to the Presidroid camera, coldly glaring into it, addressing Roy directly. "Destroy one city, destroy ten, it matters little. Whatever pain you inflict, rest assured, our retaliation shall dwarf your imagination."
Roy straightened slowly, fixing a mocking, almost pitying gaze toward the Daigensui. "You think you truly know what I can do? You've never seen true wrath."
The Daigensui scoffed lightly, dismissing Roy's claim. "We have thoroughly studied the limits of your Nightshatter, Captain Roy Gunn. Do whatever you intend, and watch as your tiny flame is extinguished."
Roy's eyes flickered briefly with genuine surprise. This leader was the first to correctly say his and the ship's name without hesitation. Shaking it off quickly, Roy smirked. "Limits? What limits? Perhaps you'd enjoy a demonstration. Look to the north. The show is about to begin."
On cue, drones immediately confirmed frantic evacuations from the northern sectors. Roy maintained his arrogant composure, raising a hand imperiously.
"Serenity, fire," he commanded coldly as Roys image vanished from the projections.
"Nuke away, Captain, 100 Megatons as planned" Serenity confirmed, drones adjusting swiftly into safer positions, dropping altitude strategically behind protective barriers to withstand the coming shockwave.
Minutes later, across the Dominion, millions watched in horror as a bright missile streaked across the sky, confusion and terror erupting in waves across the vast empire. Roy watched, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched, heart thundering in his chest, maintaining the fierce façade of the ruthless conqueror.