With that, Aldred's holographic projection faded away with a burst of light.
Aldred sighed as he stepped onto the deck of his Stellar Seraph, the flagship of the Celestial Platoon. The holographic projections of the vast galaxy glittered around him, displaying the myriad planets and stars that composed the Imperium. He ran his fingers through his hair, a mix of silver and black, reflecting the burden of his responsibilities.
His communication console blinked with urgent messages from various emissaries scattered across the galaxy. Each notification represented a unique challenge or crisis that demanded his attention. With a resigned expression, Aldred navigated through the holographic interface to prioritize the incoming messages.
The first call was from Commander Naria, who was overseeing a resource extraction operation on a barren, desert planet. The leaders there were hesitant to allocate their scarce resources, and Naria needed guidance on navigating the delicate negotiations.
"Commander Naria, this is Aldred. I understand the difficulties you're facing. Sometimes, a personal touch can make a difference. Share stories of how these resources will contribute to the defense of the Imperium. Appeal to their sense of duty," Aldred advised.
Naria nodded, her holographic image flickering. "Thank you, Aldred. I'll try that approach and see if it resonates with them."
As the call with Naria ended, another one came in. This time, it was Captain Zeltron, who was managing a complex logistical operation on a gas giant.
"Aldred, we're having trouble with the atmospheric extraction process. The volatile nature of the gases is causing delays, and the extraction platforms are at risk," Zeltron reported, concern evident in his holographic projection.
Aldred frowned, contemplating the situation. "Captain Zeltron, prioritize safety first. If the extraction platforms are at risk, pull back and reassess the approach. We can't afford accidents that might harm both our emissaries and the planets we're trying to help."
Zeltron nodded, a determined expression on his face. "Understood, Aldred. We'll revise our strategy and proceed cautiously."
The series of calls continued, each emissary facing unique challenges in their assigned missions. From political resistance to technical issues, the complexities of gathering resources from diverse planets tested the capabilities of the Celestial Platoon.
Aldred couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility. The success of the entire mission rested on the collective efforts of his emissaries and the cooperation of the member planets. He initiated calls with Cleome, Salamander, and other head emissaries to coordinate a unified approach.
"Being a galactic leader is so much harder. If my wives are here… they could've help with so much."
Back in his world, his wives helped him with various tasks which greatly reduced his load.
As he worked to address the issues raised by his emissaries, Aldred couldn't shake the underlying concern that time was of the essence. The war effort required swift and efficient resource gathering to bolster the Imperium's defenses.
In the midst of managing the crisis, Aldred took a moment to glance at the holographic star map, depicting the vastness of the galaxy. The thought of the looming demonic forces served as a stark reminder that every resource, every negotiation, and every decision mattered in the face of an existential threat.
"This war will let me know how powerful Lord Malgorth is."
The command center of the Stellar Seraph buzzed with activity as Aldred continued to manage the various challenges presented by his emissaries. Just as he was engrossed in a conversation with Captain Zeltron about the revised strategy for extracting resources from the gas giant, the doors to the command center slid open, and Vortimer entered.
Vortimer, a sentient robot-entity with a sleek metallic exterior, moved with an almost graceful efficiency. The soft hum of his servos resonated in the room as he approached Aldred.
"Aldred," Vortimer spoke in a synthesized voice, "I bring urgent news regarding the movements of the demon army."
Aldred's attention shifted immediately from the holographic interface to Vortimer. The mention of the demon army heightened the gravity of the situation. "What news do you have, Vortimer?"
Vortimer projected a holographic display showcasing a star system on the brink of chaos. Red blips, representing the demonic forces, swarmed like a swarm of locusts across the celestial expanse. They were converging on multiple planets within the Imperium.
"The demon army has altered its trajectory," Vortimer explained. "Their numbers have increased significantly, and they are targeting key planets within our territory. It seems they have gained intelligence about our resource gathering efforts."
Aldred's jaw tightened as he observed the holographic representation of the impending threat. The demons were a relentless force, driven by a malevolent agenda that sought to consume entire worlds. The fact that they were targeting specific planets indicated a level of strategy previously unseen.
"We can't let them disrupt our operations. Our resource gathering is essential for us," Aldred said, a steely resolve in his eyes.
Vortimer nodded. "Indeed, Commander. I have calculated potential trajectories and identified critical planets at risk. We must fortify our defenses and allocate resources strategically to fend off the impending demonic assault."
Aldred turned to the holographic star map, his mind racing with the implications of this new development. The planets that were crucial for resource extraction were now in the crosshairs of the demon army.
"Alert all emissaries. We need to strengthen the defenses of the targeted planets immediately," Aldred commanded. "Coordinate with the planetary councils and deploy our fleets to intercept the demons."
Vortimer's eyes flickered. "Why are you so troubled? Aren't you the human that conquered the Xantis Expanse within a few weeks? A bunch of cockroach swarms makes you sweat?"
Aldred realized something as he shook his head. Vortimer was right. Something was wrong with him.
He had fought through many wars and battles before. Something like this shouldn't even stress him too much.
Perhaps it was because he stayed in this room too much. He need to move around.
He need to fight.
Aldred's face turned serious. "Vortimer, tell Shinari to take my post. I want to go somewhere."
