The 10 PM Promise
A thunderous rumble shook the colony to its core.
The colossal support frames bracing the interior groaned, twisting under tremendous strain to let out a horrific, screeching shriek. As the majestic form of the Dien Fleet loomed beyond the spacetime gate, the entire colony shuddered violently, on the verge of shattering to pieces after enduring Arcadia's merciless bombardment.
Even amid the mounting crisis of impending collapse, Geon showed no sign of panic.
"Dark. Expand the barrier radius just a bit more until the armored ceiling caves in completely."
> Acknowledged, Commander. Increasing dimensional distortion barrier output by 15%.
Beneath a mountain of rubble lay the cooling body of Seria's father, the Commander of the 3rd Fleet, alongside the fallen soldiers of the Alliance. Geon calmly collected their personal effects. Using a combat knife, he severed their rank insignias and dog tags, pressing them gently into Seria's trembling palms. He then draped a fractured sheet of armor plating over the remains, completing a brief, makeshift funeral rite.
It was a quiet act of warmth from an absolute sovereign who held the fate of the cosmos in his hands.
"…Thank you, Geon."
Seria and the two female pilots offered a silent prayer, their eyes rimmed with red. The tears that had threatened to overwhelm them and the despair constricting their throats gradually eased during the brief ceremony he had granted them. In the wake of losing her father, what remained was a profound sense of reliance on this civilian-dressed man who had saved their lives and preserved their dignity.
Just then, a low hum drifted down from above as several sub-drones descended through the air. Tethered beneath their tow cables was none other than the ultra-compact escape pod Geon had originally arrived in.
"Hey, Dark. Good work."
> You are welcome, Commander. Thanks to the miniature dimensional distortion shield, the chassis remains entirely pristine without a single scratch.
Popping the escape pod's hatch, Geon turned to Seria and her subordinates with his characteristically disarming smile.
"As you can see, this colony is about to come crashing down. Allow me to introduce myself formally once more. That flagship floating up there is the Dien Fleet."
"The… Dien Fleet…?"
Seria murmured the name in a daze. Geon chuckled softly, giving her shoulder an encouraging pat.
"You bought me skewers earlier and even gave me pocket money, remember? I made a habit of paying back my debts in full. Consider yourselves invited as honored guests aboard my ship."
"Oh…"
"First, all three of you climb into this escape pod. Dark will guide you straight to the fleet's main hangar on autopilot."
Seria's torn flight suit left her smooth shoulder bare to the open air. Geon took her trembling hand, steadying her as he guided them inside the pod. Each time his fingertips brushed her bare skin, a soft, nervous breath escaped her lips.
Once Seria and the two pilots were securely inside, the hatch slid shut with a smooth hiss. Geon turned away, walking toward the kneeling black colossus nearby — the Astrape.
With an electronic hum, the cockpit hatch slid open, taking Geon inside.
"Dark, escort the escape pod back to the Dien Fleet. And have some hot tea brewing when we get there."
> Roger, Commander. Initiating flagship drive sequence.
The Astrape's dual optic sensors flared crimson. Cradling the escape pod within its protective envelope, the pitch-black mobile weapon pierced through the crumbling superstructure of the colony and leapt into the vacuum of space. Their destination was the main hangar of the Dien Fleet — an ark of overwhelming lost technology.
The escape pod's hatch hissed open, revealing an immense hangar that seemed to stretch into infinity before Seria's eyes.
The air aboard the vessel was calm, serene, and warm — so tranquil that the mortal dread they had felt moments ago amid the colony's destruction seemed almost like an illusion.
Geon vaulted down gracefully from the Astrape's cockpit and walked over to greet them.
"Nobody hurt, right? We can save the detailed explanations for later. What the three of you need most right now is a warm shower and some rest."
Guiding them with a gentle hand at their backs, Geon led Seria and her subordinates down the corridors of the primary residential block. When they arrived at the end of a pristine white hallway lined with luxurious fixtures, he gestured toward a series of doors.
"This one here is my private quarters, and the room right next door is yours, Seria. The other two rooms are assigned to your pilots."
"Wait… my room is right next to yours, Geon?"
Seria asked, caught off guard. Geon nodded with an innocent grin.
"Of course. That way, if you feel uneasy during the night or need anything at all, you can knock on my door immediately."
Geon placed his palm against Seria's doorway. The panel slid open with a whisper, releasing a cozy, fragrant scent into the corridor.
Inside was a lavish spread of steaming hot food, a spotless private bathroom, and neatly arranged garments laid out on the bed — a set of Dien military fatigues and a pair of remarkably soft sleepwear.
"You have warm food and a private bath ready inside. I also had Dien uniforms and nightwear tailored to your sizes, so feel free to change into whatever is comfortable."
Geon brushed away a loose strand of hair clinging to Seria's cheek, his voice soothing and tender.
"Don't worry about a thing tonight. Just get a good night's sleep. We can have our real talk tomorrow once you're rested."
"…Yes. Truly… thank you so much, Geon."
Her face flushed warm as an intoxicating sense of security enveloped her heart, bowing her head in gratitude.
As the door slid shut and Geon's footsteps receded down the hallway, Seria clutched the plush sleepwear against her chest.
After standing at the edge of despair from losing her father, the warmth of this man had begun to seep deep into the hollow chambers of her wounded heart.
A crisp digital chime sounded from the wall console as the clock struck precisely 9:00 AM.
Moments later, a steady rhythm of knocks sounded against the door.
"Seria, are you awake? We're heading down to the mess hall for breakfast in twenty minutes, so get ready and come out. I'll knock again then."
Geon's voice carried through the door, gentle yet reassuring.
Seria shed her soft sleepwear and stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower. The hot water melted away the lingering exhaustion in her muscles. When she changed into the tailored Dien uniform, she couldn't help but gasp at how flawlessly it hugged her figure, fitting her curves like a second skin.
Exactly twenty minutes later, two crisp knocks sounded at the door.
The panel parted to reveal Geon, dressed casually and looking refreshed.
"You look sharp. Let's head down to the dining hall."
Led by Geon, they entered a dining pavilion that was both grand and elegantly appointed. Her two subordinates, already washed and neatly dressed, were waiting at the table.
Geon pulled out a chair across from them and spoke with an easy smile.
"I already know Seria, but would the two officers with her mind introducing themselves?"
The pilot on the left immediately snapped to attention, bowing stiffly.
"Captain Lili, 1st Squadron, 3rd Fleet!"
"Lieutenant Kaila, from the same squadron! Thank you so much for saving our lives, Commander!"
Once the blonde lieutenant finished her greeting, Geon took a gentle sip of his tea and offered a warm smile.
"You've both been through a terrible ordeal. I know it's impossible to forget what happened right away… but I hope you can find the strength to look toward the future."
With a light flick of Geon's fingers, brilliant holographic menus materialized above their table, displaying mouthwatering arrays of delicacies floating in midair.
"Just tap whatever you'd like to eat, and the service drones will bring it out. Pick whatever you want."
"T-These dishes… I've never seen anything like them before."
Fascinated, Seria selected the most appetizing option on the screen. Moments later, a sleek service drone glided over, presenting an exquisite meal arranged with culinary precision.
As she tasted the food, Seria looked around the vast, silent room and tilted her head inquisitively.
"Um, Geon… there's something I've been wondering about. I haven't seen another person since we arrived. Do you not have any other crew members aboard?"
"Ah. On this ship, it's just me and Dark. Automated drones handle everything else."
"Excuse me? Only two people aboard this gargantuan dreadnought…?"
Lili and Kaila stared with wide, round eyes. Seria was equally astonished, prompting her to ask her next question carefully.
"Where did you come from, Geon? When this warship suddenly appeared in known space a year ago, it sent shockwaves through all three major factions, including the Alliance."
"Well, that's a trade secret."
Geon gave a mischievous smile and tapped an index finger against his lips. Lili's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Then… does that mean no outsider has ever set foot aboard the Dien Fleet until now?"
"Not a single one. You three are the very first."
Lili and Kaila exchanged breathless glances, their faces radiant with awe.
"Incredible… Not even the highest intelligence bureaus of the three factions could map the interior, and we're the first ones to step inside!"
"I know, right?! This is insane…!"
Watching her subordinates chatter like excited children, a faint smile graced Seria's lips for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
Observing the scene with a satisfied gaze, Geon set down his teacup and smoothly changed the subject.
"Alright, enough sightseeing for now. Once we wrap up breakfast, I'd like the three of you to undergo a routine medical screening."
"A medical screening…?"
Seria blinked in surprise. Geon gestured with his chin toward the medical wing situated at the corner of the pavilion.
"Yes. We have specialized medical capsules built with our fleet's technology. Even if you look fine on the outside, surviving an intense war zone often leaves behind hidden internal trauma or microscopic physiological irregularities."
The two junior pilots swallowed nervously as Geon laid out the facts. He softened his tone with a reassuring smile.
"All you have to do is lie down inside the capsule for a short while. It will automatically scan your body for any injuries or illnesses, and if it finds anything wrong, it handles complete treatment on its own. There's no need to feel anxious."
"To look after our health with such meticulous care… Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Geon."
Seria felt another surge of emotion at his unending consideration. Lili and Kaila nodded vigorously, smiling brightly.
"Understood! Getting to use the advanced medical facilities of a fleet like this is an honor!"
"Exactly! We'll finish up our food and head straight for the screening!"
"Good. Take your time and eat your fill. There's no rush."
With an approving nod from Geon, the three women returned to their meals with lightened hearts, enjoying a pleasant breakfast in high spirits.
Once breakfast concluded, Geon escorted the trio deep into the medical block, stopping inside a dedicated capsule chamber.
The automated doors parted to reveal a pristine line of ten streamlined medical capsules glowing with soft white illumination.
"Here we are. This is the examination room."
Geon walked over to one of the pods and began his briefing.
"To enter the capsule, you'll need to remove all clothing before lying down. Once inside, an optical visor and a non-rebreather mask will deploy automatically, followed by a light sedative. Just lie still and you'll drift off to sleep. By the time you wake up, the examination and all corrective treatments will be completely finished."
"Oh… we have to undress completely…?"
Seria, Kaila, and Lili blushed faintly, glancing at one another in bashful hesitation. Geon offered an understanding smile.
"It would only be awkward if I stayed in the room, so I'll step outside while you get ready. Once you're inside, simply initialize the sequence."
"Yes, Geon… Thank you for being so considerate."
As Geon stepped out into the corridor, the three women shared sheepish chuckles before slowly unbuttoning their Dien uniforms.
Ten minutes later, the door slid back, and Geon reentered the chamber.
Behind the transparent canopies of the sealed capsules, the three women lay completely unclothed, peacefully asleep. Bathed in the soft ambient glow, their supple bodies rose and fell with defenseless, rhythmic breaths. Geon took his time taking in the sight.
A sudden curiosity struck him. Standing beside Seria's pod, he called out softly to his AI.
"Hey, Dark. I've never actually used these capsules myself… There aren't any strange functions in these medical pods, are there? Like hypnosis or sensory alteration? Just asking as a joke, of course."
> Commander, the medical capsules in question are indeed equipped with the hypnosis and sensory alteration suites you mentioned.
"…Huh? For real?"
Geon's eyes widened at the unexpected confirmation.
"Explain. Why on earth would a medical pod have something like that?"
> These capsules were cross-engineered for intelligence gathering, interrogation, and psychological conditioning of high-ranking enemy personnel. The hypnotic function operates via optical wave emission through the visor. If activated while the subject is conscious, their physical body and speech patterns will submit to absolute obedience under your commands, while their core consciousness remains aware, forcing them to spectate their own actions as a third party.
"Interesting… And what if they're asleep?"
> When the subject is sedated, higher brain functions are dormant. Consequently, they will have zero awareness of the hypnotic protocols being implanted. Furthermore, the sensory alteration suite utilizes internal nano-needles capable of freely recalibrating neural receptor sensitivity in specific anatomical zones.
Geon rested his chin in his hand, looking down at Seria with a smirk.
"In other words, if I program them while they're asleep like this, their waking minds won't suspect a thing?"
> That is correct, Commander.
Geon looked between the three slumbering women, pausing in thought.
Seria watched her own father die right in front of her… and Lili and Kaila lost all their comrades. Is it really right to do this to them?
As a twinge of conscience stirred within him, Geon scratched the back of his head and muttered under his breath.
"Well, I'm basically helping them forget all that trauma anyway, right? If anything, they should be thanking me… No, wait. Isn't that crossing the line a bit?"
Geon shook his head, rubbing his chin once more.
"I mean, I saved their lives and fed them luxury meals. Surely I deserve at least this much compensation? Ah, but should I just leave them alone? Hmm…"
After a brief but decisive internal debate, a wicked grin spread across Geon's face, and he clapped his hands together.
"Alright, decided."
Casting aside all hesitation, Geon delivered his instructions to Dark.
"Dark. Program all three of them so that every night at 10 PM, they transform into my personal bitches."
> Acknowledged. Imprinting hypnotic protocol via visor optical pulse with an execution trigger set for 22:00 hours daily.
"And as for their bodies… tune the sensitivity of their nipples just enough so they won't notice during the day."
> Acknowledged. Commencing micro-neural recalibration of the mamillary regions.
Accompanied by a quiet mechanical hum, microscopic nano-needles descended from the capsule ceiling, brushing lightly over their breasts. Even in their deep slumber, faint, pleasant moans slipped past the three women's parted lips.
Geon cast a thoroughly satisfied glance over the capsules.
I didn't originally plan on going this far… but whatever. I'll play with them for a bit before letting them go.
With a sly grin playing on his lips, Geon turned on his heel and strolled out of the capsule room.