Victory Through Unity! (Planetary Annihiliation Self Insert Multicross)

[Flameal15k]

It only took Melissa's forces an hour to force the Drengin to accept an unconditional surrender, as well as defeat about 95% of their army. The remnants were being finished off by her forces, with mine as backup. Any who surrendered were treated well, yet few did. Given that Melissa had made a point of treating her prisoners well and broadcasting this to the Drengin, wounded pride was probably a factor in the lack of surrenders. It seemed that, no matter the species, some people would choose their pride over their lives. Such as shame.

As for Melissa and myself, we were overseeing the aftermath of the fighting. With the Drengin military defeated, Melissa had begun moving in medical units to deal with civilians and those who had surrendered. My forces, meanwhile, had already begun cleaning up the rubble. Any slaves we encountered had been released and offered a free 'return ticket' to their home states. Some took it, others asked if they could join us. A few had to be restrained from trying to murder their former masters - even if the Drengin deserved it, allowing the slaves to do would set a bad precedent. That being said, while we would spare the Drengin their lives, that didn't mean that they would escape unscathed - a few punches and bruises, plus the loss of their slaves and pride, was a well deserved punishment.

And so, the last of my foes fell.

XXXXXXXXXXX

After the last of the Drengin had been beaten, I found Melissa standing outside of the Drengin Imperial Palace, looking exhausted. For the most part, she was successful, seeing how most of her body was clean of blood. In fact, the only real obvious place where blood remained on her body was around her mouth. I guess she'd had quite the feast.

Now that I wasn't in the heat of combat, I could make out more details regarding her new form. First off, as I had noticed earlier, she had two heads, one within the other, kinda like a xenomorph. The outer head resembled a barracuda, while the inner one looked more like a snake - a venomous one, not a constrictor. Adorning her head were a mixture of fleshy tendrils and feathers, with the feathers coming in a rainbow of colors, but primarily purple, orange and green. As for the rest of her body, it was distinctively reptilian, yet also obviously human. Around her chest and groin were downy feathers that made a sort of feathery bikini that would have obscured her unmentionables, if it were for the fact that the curves on her chest were entirely made of muscle, while a quick scan of her body confirmed that, aside from her mouth, eyes, nostrils and ears, there were no large orifices on her. Oddly, all other female reproductive organs were present, though why was beyond me. At the end of her body was a long tail, one that made up three quarters of her total length, and ended in a sort of fin. It looked like one that you'd see on Sea Kraits, which only added to her snakelike appearance. The rest of her body was covered in milky white spines, easily sharp enough to cut through bone. Rounding out her odd appearance were a large pair of what appeared to be fins on her sides, but given how they were flapping right now to keep her hovering over the ground, it was clear these were meant to be wings.

I won't lie, her newfound appearance was rather terrifying.

It was also, and I can't believe I'm saying this, somewhat attractive.

'Well, you're not the first one to say that.'

...oops. Please don't hit me.

'Relax. I don't mind people admiring my figure.'

Okay............

'I'm guessing you have a question?'

Yeah, why does your current form have reproductive organs if there isn't, well, anywhere for them to get input.

'You're assuming that they're always like this. I make sure that, should I use that form in battle, certain weaknesses do not exist when the transformation finishes.'

Oh, I see. So, what now?

'Since the Drengin are defeated, not much, I suppose. I presume that you will offer terms to the Dread Lords, as shall I to the Drengin. The Yor and Korx are no longer truly dangerous, so I presume that, other than maybe monitor them, you won't do much to them - you aren't the kind to finish off an already beaten foe. After that, I presume there will be a victory celebration that all of the 'good guys' in this galaxy will attend. Our attendance shall likely be requested, given our contributions to this victory. Once that is completed, you'll probably finish up collecting every last tidbit of technology in this universe, then move on.'

That is a....very detailed line of thought.

You didn't specify how much detail you wanted.

Good point.

I was about to ask more, but then an unarmed Drengin appeared, holding a fruit of some sort. He tried to look calm, but his shaking was obvious.

"Greetings, my lady. Are you the leader of our conquerors?"

"Yes, I am. What do you desire?"

"First, I wish to offer you a snack," was his reply, extending the fruit out in front of him.

In the blink of an eye, a fat pinkish purple tongue shot out of Melissa's mouth, yanked the fruit out of the Dregin's hand, and quickly returned into her maw. A moment later, and the fruit was swallowed.

It took the Drengin a moment, but eventually his composure was recovered.

"So, what else do you desire, good sir?"

"I am here to hear your terms."

"The terms of surrender?"

"Yes. I wish to know what to tell my leaders, so they know what shall await them."

"Then I shall give them: first, slavery shall be outlawed."

"A difficult, yet understandable request."

"Second, all slaves are to be released, with some compensation. Nothing unreasonable, the exact amount per slave shall be determined later."

"I understand."

"Third, reparations will be paid to the Terrans, Torians, Arceans, Altarians, Drath, and all other members of the Coaltion that opposed the Dread Lords, for they deserve restitution for your actions to them. I shall work with those powers to decide upon a reasonable amount."

"Of course."

"Finally, all high ranking military personnel and Government officials will be tried to determine what punishment they deserve. I may wish them all to suffer, but that is not my place to judge."

"I see. Will that be all?"

"Yes. Now go before I change my mind and demand more."

The Drengin quickly retreated.

"....wow, that was a lot more reasonable that I thought it would be."

"You asked revenge would blind me to reason? That I would repeat the mistakes tour forebearers made that led to the rise of a madman?"

".....maybe a little."

"Well, I did consider it. Still, I choose to hold myself to a higher standard than most Random Omnipotent Beings. I cannot allow myself to make childish mistakes."

"I understand. I do have one more question, though."

"And that is?"

"What's with the tattoo?"

Much to my surprise, Melissa went quiet for a moment. Then, she seemed to pinch in front of her left eye and pull. A moment later, a crystal had formed in her left hand.

"Scan this and you'll find out what you desire to know. I must go, now - I have to find a nice, lonely place to revert to my human form, away from lustful minds.....such as your own."

"Well, screw you too."

With an amused smile, Melissa walked, leaving me with the crystal. I watched her leave, and the nice more my attention was drawn to her shadow. In her human form, it had taken the shape of her monstrous form, but now, in this horrifying form, her shadow resembled a teenage girl. In fact, all of its features matched those of Melissa's human form.

Did this mean neither form was her real form? If so, what was?

XXXXXXXX

AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Flameal15k]

With the Drengin effectively gone as a superpower, my work in Gal Civ was almost done - all I needed to do now was acquire whatever tech the Mithralar had left behind, figure out what to do to the Dread Lrods, attend whatever follow-up peace celebration the Coalition had planned, then return home.

The first of those was probably going to take the longest, seeing how I had no idea where the last Mithralar was-why is an unknown ship hailing me?

....Well, might as well answer him.

"Hello, who is this?"

"I'm surprised you do not know. I am Draginol, the Dark Mithralar. I ha thought that you would know who I am."

"Why?"

"I was one of those present at the signing of the peace accords."

"What peace accords?"

".....You do not know what I am talking about?"

"No."

"Then I believe that is irrelevant."

"What do you me-yes, that is irrelevant."

WHAT THE HELL!?!?

"Indeed. Well then, as it stands, I do not desire formalities, and I do not believe you desire them either. Therefore, I believe that I should simply get to the topic at hand: you desire the technologies of the Mithralar, do you not?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then you shall have them. My only request is that you leave my kind alone. Our quintet does not wish to be removed from the shadows. Is that acceptable?"

"OF course it is, Bradley...can I call you that?"

"....It seems you are more well informed than I had thought. As for your question, yes, you may. In regards to the technology, here it is."

A moment later, I received a large burst of data. Examination revealed that it contained the sum total of the Mithralars' knowledge, including perfect versions of some of the tech I'd gained from the Arnor and Dread Lords. Among those perfected technologies was an advanced version of the pocket device technology the Terran Fleet had entered in Gal Civ II, except this one could actually create alternate universes. This wasn't actually that impressive, since said universes were really just empty space, along with a couple of stars and planets - rather underwhelming, all things considered. Still, I could work with this.

The minute the data finished downloading, the mysterious vessel disappeared, Draginol clearly not wanting to stay for chit-chat. Our conversation had left me with mixed feelings - on the one hand, I had so much I wanted to ask him, though my forced speech pattern likely suggested that any attempts to fish for data would be met with failure at best. On the other hand, my communique with him had all but confirmed the Progenitors had previously been active in this universe, and given what I had witnessed on the planet with the Progenitor Ruins (which had been called Mellowpark VI), it was clear they had been in conflict with the Dread Lords, which might explain why the Dread Lords were actually able to provide some resistance. That opened up a new question though: had the Progenitors been fighting the Dread Lords out of moral obligation, or had they merely been defending their interests?

One day, I would have that answered.

Alright, well, I'm probably going to be spending some time sciencing the shit out of the new tech I acquired, but that did leave one other thing that needed to be settled: how would I deal with the Dread Lords?

I mean, I'd need to find a way for them to 'make-up' for what they did to everyone else, which would include some form of imprisonment, as well as reparations, but it'd need to be somewhere where anyone who wanted to pay evil unto evil would not be able to hurt them. While I could move them over into my own universe, I didn't want to chance them trying to spit on my kindness and try to hurt my creations, even if their surrender had seemed genuine.

Great, now I had to try and find another empty universe to...put...them....in.

.............I am such an idiot.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The drones labored on the planet, working tirelessly to adjust its conditions. Mountains and valleys were carved out, as were rivers. Wildlife was bred at an accelerated rate before being introduced into their new homes. Polar and desert regions were terraformed into being, then populated with life. Total time for preparations to be completed was three hours.

Ten minutes after preparations finished, a portal appeared above the planet's surface. Moments later, a strange ship passed through, covered in domes that could each house millions of people. Dozens of those inhabitants were at the edge of the domes, looking toward the virgin world, for this was to be their new home.

At the bridge of the ship, Lord Dread was also glancing down at the planet, his face sculpted in a pattern of happiness that, for once, was not brought about by the sight of conquest. Slowly, he pried it away from the planet and turned his attention back to the screen in front of him, displaying the face of the head of the Infernum Federation, the one who called himself Commander Flame.

"So, you are giving us this universe?"

"In a manner of speaking - this universe was made using a device created by the Mithralar, who, if I remember correctly, are your creators, are they not?"

"No, you are correct. They are indeed my creators."

"I thought so. Anyway, I can tell you two things about this universe - it only spans a few star systems, and it is, currently, four hours old."

"What?"

"Yeah, apparently the Mithralar figured out how to do that. Anyway, this universe may only span a few stars systems for now, but it also had a lot of nebula in it, and I can accelerate the rate that those nebula become stars and planets, should you ask me nicely."

"......There's a catch to this, is there not? You have yet to make any demands for my people as part of our terms of surrender."

"You are correct. Here are my terms: First off, you are not allowed to use the pocket universe I've made to build up your armies. I already have forces in place to deal with your people, should they try to abuse my kindness."

"Understandable."

"Second, and this shouldn't be surprising, I expect your people to pay reparations to those you have harmed. I'll send you the amounts for each civilization right now."

A moment later, the reparation amounts came through. While astronomically large, they were surprisingly generous, and the Commander had even included advice for how to pay off the reparations without going into debt.

"Do you have a third request?"

"Yes: From this day forward, until a millennium has passed, the Dread Lords shall sacrifice the right to declare war unless it is to help an ally. I WILL keep an eye on who you attempt to ally with and will make my displeasure known if you attempt to ally with another race so that you can attempt vengeance on myself or the Coalition. Am I clear?"

"......Yes."

"Good. Then please, enjoy your exile."

"....I guess I will."

Really, this wasn't really so bad a punishment. Especially given how young the universe was. It seemed that, at least for the moment, they had cheated the inevitable3 end.

...It was funny, how life went. The Dread Lords had gone to war against all creation when they realized that when the universe died, so would they, yet when they had lost to a superior foe, that foe ha given the Dread Lords a way out of that end.

Life was weird. Bu it was good.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With the Dread Lords dealt with, I finally decided to scan the crystal that I had been given. Maybe it would shed some light on why Melissa had that weird tattoo?

The minute I scanned it, the world seemed to go dark. Then, the glowing figure of a woman appeared in front of me. It was Melissa. Or at least, an illusion.

"What you see now is but a vision of that which has already been, offered only to provide insight on who I am. Speak not to me, for I cannot answer your questions."

A moment later, and the glowing form vanished, replaced by a field of all things.Here and there, machines were at work, some digging up the soil, others removing unearthed components of what appeared to be Progenitor technology, while more still repaired the damaged ground and caused plants to sprout from the healed soil.

Eventually, one of the soil healers broke down, its legs collapsing from stress, and the myriad mechanical tendrils that carried its biosphere repairing tools went limp.

Merely a second passed before the machine was suddenly levitated into the air and reduced to its components, all connected by faint white tendrils of light. The source of the machine's failure was soon determined, removed, and replaced. A quick reassembly later, and the machine was operating good as new.

Following the light trails lead me to the standing form of Melissa, clad only in simple robes, who gently laid the machine on the ground, before the trails disappeared and the resumed operations. The minute it did so, Melissa began to wobble, and would have fallen, had she not been grabbed by the now visible, masked form of Celm. I guess perfect optical camouflage was part of omnipotence (well, that was probably a given - its called omnipotence for a reason).

"I believe that's enough for today....and the rest of the month....and the next year."

"Why? I haven't really helped you that much. I've only helped you build and repair these machines for the past month.

"Yes, but you've been doing so every single day of that month, with only six hours for rest - one for each major meal, one for actually sleeping, and the other two for leisure. You should have collapsed from exhaustion far earlier than this."

"Well, I just wanted to pay you back for what you did for me."

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't need to be paid back for what I did for you?"

"And home many times do I need to tell you that I don't care?! After all that you did for me, you deserve something in return, even if I am never able to truly repay you for your actions."

"....I never am going to succeed in dissuading you, are I?"

"No."

"I see. Very well, then may I make you an offer?"

"What will it entail?"

"A way to make yourself more useful to me, though it qould come with its own challenges."

".....are thereany conditions for receiving that power?"

"Yes: please take longer breaks, and spend some time with your followers. Tey look up to you."

".....I understand."

"Very well, then I will provde you with the means to make you able to serve me better."

The minute he finished saying this, Celm produced a bronze chalice out of thin air, as well as a knife. He quickly place the chalice on the ground, then, after a moment of hesitation, used the nife to slit his left palm. The blood from the cut fell into the chalice until it was almost full, at which point Celm gestured with his right hand and the bleeding instantly halted.

Picking up the chalice, Celm turned his attention to Melissa.

"If you drink the contents of this vial, you shall inherit a piece of my strength, including potentially limitless power. Know that I cannot teach you how to use this power, though, and that you will still be subordinate to me, for any power I give you still recognizes me as its true master. Do you still wish to consume this?"

Melissa only need a moment to respond.

"Yes, I do."

The next instant, she had taken the chalice and gulped, then quickly licked her lips to clean the red fluid off of them. Celm seemed a little unnerved by that, and so did I.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then Melissa's face contorted into what could best be defined as pure agony, while her back began to glow. Celm, clearly alarmed at the sight of his subordinate in pain, move to comfort her, only for my ROB to gesture for him to stop. A few moments later, the back of Melissa's robes burst into flame as a strange symbol burned itself into place, which I soon recognized as her tattoo. As soon as the tattoo finished burning into place, Melissa's expression relaxed, and the light began to fade.

"Thank you. I appreciate the power boost."

"You're welcome. Now please, take a rest. I order you to do so."

"Of course."

XXXXXXXXXXX

.....Well, one question answered, a dozen more raised.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Just as Melissa had predicted, when the Coalition realized the war was won, they immediately set up plans for a victory celebration. That being said, its till took them some time to set up the event, allowing me to treat Rory and his siblings to their first Halloween, with Cassidy and Melissa tagging along. For once, I didn't really mind her freeloading.

When the plans for the celebration were set, I received an invitation, as well as the option to bring along a maximum of three others. Instantly, I began creating formal attire for Synais, Fide, and Kathikon. I trusted them most among my subordinates, and interaction with other humans would probably help them be more effective as advisors.

The bit of advice that they did give me for tis occasion, though, was somewhat surprising.

XXXXXXXXX

"Would one of you wish to pretend to be my significant other/date for this event?"

"I would-" began Kathikon.

"No, we will not," answered Fide.

"Wait, why?" questioned Kathi.

"We are his subordinates, and that is common knowledge to all parties in this universe, since you included our names and positions in the information you distributed to the public in this universe."

"So?"

"If we go with you, some people may assume that you pressured us into entering a relationship with you. Your character suggests otherwise, but that will not stop some people."

"Well, since I am pretty sure Synais is straight, unless you like both genders-"

"I'm not answering that, but I'm not going as your significant other - Fide has a good point."

"-then I guess I'll just say I'm single."

"I would not recommend that either."

"Why?!"

"More unsavory types might see your lack of relationships as a chance to try and seduce you to gain access to the higher echelons of the Federation. While I have no doubt you will refuse, I would suggest you try and avoid the hassle by going to the festivities with a partner."

"Well, how am I supposed to do that? I don't know any other females that would be interested in going to these festivities."

....Why were they all sharing an annoyed glance.

"Um, yes, you don," they all replied in unison.

Who were they talking about....oh.

"....no. No. Absolutely not."

"WHY!?!?"

"well, because....because....nevermind."

XXXXXXX

Traitors, all of them.

XXXXXXXXX

AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

​

 

[Flameal15k]

"So," began Melissa, "did we get invited?"

"Yes, mistress," answered Leal, "we were."

"Good. Now then, what shall we-"

"Madam, we just received a transmission from the Infernum Federation," intoned Mortarax. "Putting it onscreen now."

A moment later, the face of Commander Flame was displayed before them.

"So, to do I owe the pleasure of this communique?" inquired the female ROB.

"Well, first off, did you get invited to the....gala celebrating the defeat of the Drengin and the Dread Lords?"

"Yes, but why do you ask?"

".....Would you be willing to go there as my partner?"

"....................................."

"....................................."

"........What?! Why?!"

"I don't have anyone else to go with."

"You have three AI subordinates, two of which are attractive women."

"They refused to go as more than members of my entourage."

"Oh."

"Also, they think that if I go without anyone that could appear to be my significant other, people will try to seduce me in an effort to gain a position of power in the Federation. No, that would never work, but I'd rather avoid the hassle."

"....They told you to ask me out, didn't they?"

"....Yes," squeaked the Commander.

Instantly, Melissa felt a predatory smile creep onto her face - the Commander was clearly unwilling to ask her to come with him to this occasion (at least, as his 'date'). That, of course, meant he would be very uncomfortable if she accepted his request.

And that alone was enough to get her to accept said request.

"Well, then, I accept."

"Okay. Could you give me a time and place to pick you up at?"

"No need - I'll meet you at the gala."

"....Well, that saves me a hassle. Please don't ditch me."

"Oh, please, you're not getting away from me that easy."

The commander flinched when she said that. Good.

"....Well, bye then."

With that, the conversation terminated.

Now, it was time to decide what to wear.

One flick of her hands later, Melissa was clad only in her underwear, busying examining several different sets of formal wear to examine. She did not need to worry about her subordinates staring at her figure - they were too respectful to do so. The threat of being obliterated should they dare to look at her indecently exposed form was also a great motivator. The only ones spared from that rule were Mortarax, Elling, Leal, and Adeline, in no small part because they were helping her choose what to wear.

"So," began Melissa, "do you think this dress would look good?"

"It's too dark," intoned Adeline, "plus the style doesn't mesh well for a gala. Even if it was a black and white gala, it would still be out of place."

"Well, onto the next."

A quick change of attire later, and Melissa was clad In a different set of formal wear.

"How do I look?"

"Too tacky," replied Mortarax

A second change occurred.

"Too poofy," remarked Leal

A third change followed.

"TOO BRIGHT!" shouted a temporarily blinded Elling.

A furious fit of changes in attire followed, all met with various different complaints.

Finally, the female ROB just collapsed, annoyed by her subordinates' constant criticisms.

"You've given none of my choices the go ahead for this event. Is there anything you think that will be good for me to where?"

"Well," responded Leal, "How about this?"

".....Too baggy."

"Maybe this one?" offered Adeline.

"....Too militaristic."

"Perhaps this one?" suggested Elling.

"....That would be considered indecent anywhere except in a Star Wars convention."

"Then maybe this one?" volunteered Mortarax.

"That would be considered indecent anywhere."

"Then We're out of ideas," stated Elling.

"Uh, mom? Why are you in your underwear?"

Instantly, Melissa turned bright red and moved her hands to shield her indecent form form her daughter.

"Um, mommy's changing, dear. Please don't look."

Cassidy did not oblige.

"Are you trying to decide what to wear for the big....gala?"

"Yes, no please look away."

Cassidy continued to refuse that order.

"Then what about that one dress Elling says you've had since forever but never use? Would not be a good time to try it?"

Instantly, Melissa turned to stare at Elling, an expression of betrayal on her face. Why had he told Cassidy about that?!

"Could you please wear it, mom? I think you would look so good in it!"

Turning her attention back toward her daughter, Melissa felt herself almost crushed when she saw Cassidy's adorable puppy-dog face. Her eyes seemed to balloon to heart-rending sizes, and it looked like tears were beginning to pool up in them.

Melissa was pretty sure the tears were being faked.

That didn't take away from their power.

..........Oh, screw it.

"Fine. I'll do it."

"YAY!"

Not missing a beat, Melissa turned her attention back to Elling.

"You're not going with us to the gala, okay?"

"You only got four invitations, I'm not even interested in going, and even if I was, I'm too young to attend."

"Well, then you're babysitting Cassidy. Make sure she doesn't blow up my palace."

"I can manage."

"Good."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The minute the conversation with Melissa was finished, I set about making the best formal wear I could, in preparation for the gala. The next couple of hours were spent practicing dancing, making sure my outfit matched up exactly with my measurements, and relearning how to tie a tie. I also made sure practice public speaking, just in case they wanted me to give some kind of speech.

After all of that was said and done, I spent the remainder of the time trying to review everyone who would be in attendance and make sure I looked presentable for them. Then, when the time came, I quickly boarded a ship and made my way to the destination of the Gala: Altaria.

When I arrived, most of the guests had already settled themselves in, even though the gala would not start for another half an hour. With no idea how long it would take for Melissa to arrive, I chose to remain outside the gathering hall, waiting for my 'date' to show up.

I ended up waiting fifteen minutes before an Illuminate luxury transport arrived and Melissa emerged from it and ......wow.

I had expected her to wear some flamboyant dress in an effort to impress those who came to this party. What She did end up wearing was a beautiful, almost completely white dress, one that was extremely simple, barring a few precious gems sown into the fabric here and there. On its back, I could make out an impressive sigil embroidered into the dress, one that was utterly alien to me, though clearly of some importance. Further investigation would have to wait until later, though, for it did not take long for my ROB to notice me and gesture for me to approach her.

"You're very well dressed," I noted, hoping she would accept the honest compliment.

"I could say the same about you - you're wearing all black, except for that red and silver tie, but that's still rather nice looking."

"Coming from the girl who is wearing a white and blue dress, I find any suggestions of blandness to be....maybe a tad hypocritical. Still, you look amazing."

"Thank you. Now shall we get this show on the road?"

"Let's do that."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

We entered the celebration as a couple, our respective entourages right behind us. When the ceremony commenced, Alan Bradley, leader of the Terran Alliance, started things off with a speech, praising everyone who had been a part of the Coalition, commenidng them for their perseverance in the face of impossible odds. He stressed how important their unity had been, likely attempting to try and sway all those present to support maintain the Coalition in the years to come. He didn't downplay my actions, though, or Melissa's, which was rather refreshing. It's nice to be given credit where you are do.

Following Bradley's presentation, another figure stepped up to the podium. This was Netro Mancer, leader of the Altarians, and host of these celebrations. He, too, had a speech to offer, this one also extolling the Coalition members for their perseverance, as well as praising the Federation and Illuminate for their involvement. Partway through the speech, though, he seemed to go off on some tangent about the Drath and how perhaps it was time the Altarians sought to end their conflict with the reptilian aliens. I glanced at Melissa, who only smiled in response.

Once Netro finished his speech, the festivities commenced. Some people began to dance, others quickly moved to refresh themselves, and other elected to just observe the surroundings. I was among the last group, with Melissa swiftly joining me in examining the city we were in, as well as the woodlands just outside said city's limits.


"So," I inquired," did you have something to do with Netro acting like that?"

"Not really. He's always wanted to try and reconcile the Altarians with the Drath in some peaceful manner. I just made it so that he has more support."

"I see......do you want to dance? I know this is a beautiful sight, but I grow bored rather easily."

"So do I, and yes, we can dance."

A moment later, we were on the designated dance floor of the gala, hand in hand, dancing the night away. While I had become fairly skilled in dancing over the past few hours, Melissa was clearly superior to me in this field, and she was the one who lead our movements.

"You're quite familiar with dancing, I see."

"lords and ladies are expected to know how to dance, especially when they are invited to such formal events as this."

"So you're nobility of some sort? A baroness, or perhaps a duchess?.........No, I think you're a princess."

Really, I was just making stuff up to flatter her...

"Actually, I am a princess."

......So I was rather surprised when I turned out to be correct.

"Oh. Interesting.....please don't behead me for any of the insults and rude things I've said to you."

"You had every reason to say those things, so I won't hold them against you. Besides, I'm not that high on the totem pole - my family are the rulers of a principality - well, actually, five of them - so I will only ever hold the title of princess unless I marry a king or emperor, or their heir"

What a strange race, to have princes, kinds, emperors and their respective female counterparts all at once.

"You species sounds rather bizarre, since they have all those different types of rulers in one ierarchy."

"that's probably the funniest thing I've heard all day."

"Why's that?"

"Because my father is the one who rules those principalities, and he is a human, just like you."

"......You're human?"

"Half human. My mother was....something else."

"Something else?"

"She never did tell me what exactly she was. Some people called her kind the Builders, other called them Praenunti."

....Why did that name feel important?

"...You haven't asked her she is?"

"I'm not on speaking terms with my parents. I would appreciate you not asking why."

"I see.....Are you enjoying this?"

"Hmm?"

"The celebration. Are you enjoying it?"

"....Yes, all things considered. In fact, this is probably one of the better times I've had in the past few years."

"really? I thought you'd have plenty of good times in the past few years, spent with family and friends-"

"Of which I have neither, and I doubt I will ever possess them. Okay, maybe I do have family, but I gave up on having friends a long time ago."

"Why's that?"

"Power and loyalty demand sacrifices. As you are ware, Celm is both the source of my power and the target of my loyalty, so I have given up much for him. And one day, I believe you will find yourself devoid of friends just like me."

"What's you proof of that?"

"OF all of the Commanders I have ever observed across the Cosmos, not one has any true friends. Even the one who defeated Nod, the Scrin and the Flood has not true equals, merely those he treats as children. You will soon likely join those ranks. In fact, think you are already a part of them."

"I am?"

"Yes. You have only your children, and your subordinates, for comfort. No friends, just followers and family. True, they can support you, but they are not friends. In fact, I don't think you even have any people you can remotely consider yourself to be even companions with, much less friends."

"....you're wrong. Maybe I don't have friends, but I do have someone I could at least be companions with."

I did really know what I was saying, only that I wanted to deny what Melissa was telling me.

"And who is that?"

The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"I have you."

The minute I realized what I'd just said, I felt my signifantly warmer than I had before. If I had to hazard a guess, I was probably blushing. Much to my surprise, so was Melissa. She almost looked like a fish, trying to find some retort, only for words to fail her. I, too, attempted to find words that would let me deny what I said, only to come up short.

Because, really, what I had said had been true - while Melissa was not my friend, I did consider her my companion, and possibly the only being I knew that I could treat as an equal. No, I hadn't forgiven her for abducting me, she was the only being I actually felt comfortable admitting my feelings and secrets to.

.....Did that make me her friend?

.......No, it didn't. Friendship had to be mutual, and Melissa only saw me as a pawn.

...Didn't she?

XXXXXXXXXXX

AN: For those wondering, Elling's suggestion for what Nelissa was supposed to wear to the gala was the Slave Leia Outfit (RIP Carrie Fisher), while Mortarax's was Raynare's outfit from Highschool DxD (no links, NSFW).

So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Flameal15k]

We spent the remainder of the night dancing, only taking a pause to try some of the refreshments provided. I do believe that was the first time I ever drank alcohol, and good grief, that had a big kick. Needed to get more acquainted with alcoholic beverages - I was probably going to be invited to more of these kinds of celebrations, and I would most certainly be embarrassed if I passed out after only a few glasses of wine. Or vodka. Or rum.

Eventually, the celebration came to an end, and we departed. I noted that my AI trio hadn't done anything noteworthy at the celebration, nor had Melissa's company. It appeared they'd chosen to stay beneath notice, if only to observe how the two of us acted.

Were they trying to ship me with my ROB?

Oh hell no to that idea - I might not hate her, but I was NOT interested in a relationship with her. Too annoying, and again, she'd taken me from all I had ever known and loved and dumped me into a cold unfeeling machine. No thank you to any for of camaraderie with that woman.

I was prepared to leave with just my group, but Melissa insisted on traveling back with us. She said she had her reasons, but even if she didn't, I was too tired to care and just let her join us. She insisted on standing next to me for the duration of the flight home. Her fellow attendees would not be joining us, though, and would instead travel home in her ship.

Ash flight home dragged on, my companions soon asleep, succumbing to he exhaustion the celebration had brought into them, until only Melissa and myself remained conscious.

For a moment, there was silence between us, but eventually, curiosity got the better of me.

"Hey, may I ask you something?"

"What do you want to know?"

"How did you meet Celm?"

"...What?"

"Well, how did you meet him? I mean, you really seem to look up to him, even if he scares you, so..."

Melissa stared at me for a moment, conflicting emotions crossing her face, before eventually seeming to decide on something. She promptly stood up, walked up until our faces were mere inches from each other, and put her right hand to my head.

Everything promptly went black, and stayed that way for some time.

Then, a new view took its place.

Before me were the remains of a city, blasted and torn up, with the bullet holes in the walls suggesting the cause of the damage to be a battle. Confirming this, several alien APCs surged across a road, firing at something in the ditstance. They didn't get far before some kind of tendrilled monstrosity used one of its arms to fsllten them, and the sickening crunches that followed told me there would be no survivors to climb out of these wrecks.

Suddenly, a beam of light fired at the tentacle, cleaving a portion of it off. Turning to see its source, I found myself staring at....the AGE Gundam?! The machine swiftly fire another volley of lasers at its target before retreating to avoid several explosive pods fired at it, while still getting in a few pot shots at its foe.

The tendril continued trying to attack the Gundam for some time, but when it became clear the machine could evade its attacks without the slightest effort, it retreated. Moments later, several car sized winged creatures flew toward the Gundam and pinned it down before it could react. Their victory was short lived, though, as before they could attack, a figure dashed between them and cut them to pieces, before coming to a halt on top of the Mobile Suit. Their choice to stand there finally gave me a chance to examine them in detail.

What I found surprised me: I recognized the figure's armor.

It was Melissa's.

"Severine, are you alright?" I toned the figure, confirming my thoughts as to who it was.

"Yes, madame, but we can't keep fighting forever. Our allies have been wiped out and if we do not pull out soon, so shall we. All civilians have evacuated the area, we have no reason to stay."

"Yet where can we go?" was Melissa's response. "I have no idea have to teleport us all back to the estate, the evacuation tunnels are all flooded, the city is surrounded, and we cannot attempt to evacuate by air so long as their are fliers in the sky."

"Perhaps we could use the nearby caves to escape?"

"Or you could just die."

Melissa and Severine (who appeared to be the Gundam pilot) instantly quieted and turned toward the source of that voice. There, they found themselves staring at the tendril from earlier, or rather, what it was attached to. What I saw truly terrified me: it could only be described as a tentacled, visceral abomination, covered in spines and feelers, eyes full of malice.

"You've fought well, but now all of you are going to die. Please, though, don't go quietly. It's more fun when you struggle."

"Shall I fight it, Madame?"

"No. You link up with the others and fall back. I'll buy you some time."

"What? I cannot allow you to do-"

"That's an order, dammit, and you will obey it. Am I clear?"

"...yes, 'mam. Retreating now. Good luck."

"Thanks."

A moment later, the Gundam blasted away, quickly dodging a tentacle that tried to skewer it.

"A shame that he got away, but not for long. It's only a matter of time before you fall, and after that, so shall he. The nearby cave system may be deep, but we know it well. Even if he does escape, he will die without guidance."

"That's assuming I can't kill you."

"That assumes that I can't kill you."

"Well, you can try. But you'll have to catch me first."

A moment later, she vanished. The monster stared at where my ROB had been for a moment, dumbfounded, before promptly ramming several of its hands together where she had been. clearly enraged at losing its prey. A moment later, a blast of energy slammed into the side of its head. Turning toward the source of the blast, the monster caught a glimpse of Melissa before she vanished once more, though now it was clear that she was using some form of teleportation.

This pattern repeated for some time, with Melissa blasting at the monster, then teleporting away before it could retaliate. At first I assumed she was just using energy blasts, but eventually, I caught a glimpse of her before she launched an attack. At first, she appeared to make finger guns at her opponent, before, much to my surprise, actual guns formed out of light in her open hands. These weapons fired one shot before being obliterated, after which my ROB teleported away, unwilling to overextend herself.

Occasionally, the tendrilled being would manage to entrap her, only for Melissa to surprise me by using light to form other weapons - swords, spears, axes, even halberds, though she seemed to have a preference for staves. She would use these short lived weapons to destroy the offending appendages, occasionally replacing them with a shield to block any oncoming attacks. Bit by bit, she wore her foe down.

Yet it was able to do the same to her, slipping in an attack here and there, and it was clear that Melissa would tire long before this beast would. My ROB seemed to realize that, as eventually, after one teleport, she did not reappear. This time, though, my view moved to my ROB, who was running through the destroyed remains of the city, passing innumerable dead. She briefly paused at the sight of several corpses, who I could tell no doubt were those of children. Someone were human, other resembled the monstrosity Melissa had turned into. The sight unnerved both my ROB and myself, but she only dwelled on it for a moment before continuing her retreat.

Eventually, her strength gave out, and she was forced to take shelter behind some rubble. Much to my surprise, the rubble resembled a basic energy generator from Planetary Annihilation. There, in the shadows, she removed her helmet and took some deep breaths. I wasn't able to see just what she looked like underneath the armor, but I assumed this was deliberate - whatever form she was in right now was probably her true form, and she most definitely did not want me to see that. At least, not without her permission.

What was plainly visible, though, was the huge amount of blood flowing from her armor. Desperately, she tried to dress the wounds, covering them with bandages, but it wasn't long before she ran out. Exasperated, she punched some of the rubble, which crumbled beneath her strength.

Soon, I heard the distant sounds of something big approaching. Melissa began to go very still, but whether it was because she was scared or because she was losing consciousness was something I could not discern.

Slowly, the beast's shadow blotted out all the light around the rubble. A quick look confirmed it was looking right at Melissa's hiding spot.

"So, it seems that you were wrong. How very much expected this was."

To my surprise, my vision was starting to go dark. At first, I could not figure out why, but when the focus of the scene turned toward Melissa, I saw why: she had grown very, very still. Clearly, she was about to pass out.

The creature was saying some more things, but those were too distant and faded for me to hear. Apparently, my vision only allowed me to perceive what my ROB could perceive, and as she was falling unconscious, it was losing focus.

Then, just when it seemed like the creature was about to finish off my ROB, a golden light appeared. Instantly, the vision went back into focus as Melissa seemed to recover. Now, I could hear what monster was saying (which consisted of a stunned 'what' followed by some particularly vicious insults). Melissa turned to look at the monster and the golden light, which turned out to be coming from a humanoid figure. I didn't need to guess who that was. The being was wearing golden armor that covered all of their body, barring their head, which was instead hidden behind what appeared to be a stony helmet, with only a single vertical slit in the middle and four smaller dots on the sides to provide sight and sensory detail. At first, the these viewing pieces glowed gold, before turning blue. The monster seemed to recognize the light, as it tried to run, only to struck with a mighty slash that cut it in two. Amazingly, it was still alive after this and tried to continue retreating, only to be cut down again. As the golden figure prepared one last attack, the monster yelled something at its slayer, but it was so fast that I could not hear more than gibberish. A moment later, and the beast was dead.

The figure stared at its dead foe for a moment, before turning toward Melissa, being taken aback for a moment, likely surprised to see someone alive after all of this death. As that surprise passed, it ran toward my ROB, whose renewed strength finally failed. The last thing I saw was Melissa about to fall into her savior's arms.

XXXXXXXXX

When things next came into focus, Melissa was in a hospital bed, head covered in bandages, as was her whole body. She took a moment to fully awaken, but when she did, the first thing she did was feel her head. When it was clear that bandages covered her skull and face, she seemed to relax for a moment, before the bandages promptly started to warp. It took me a moment to realize she was changing the appearance of her head. Given that the bandages only warped slightly, I doubted that she had changed it by much. Once the changes were finished, she slowly removed the bandages, stopping briefly to feel a rather large gash on her forehead before continuing. Eventually, all of the coverings on her head were removed, leaving her cranium fully exposed. Her new appearance was the one I was most familiar with - albeit a few years younger looking than I had ever seen. I'd put her around thirteen based on appearances.

Any other speculations I could have made were cut short when a figure pulled back the curtains around the hospital bed and sat down on an empty one adjacent to my ROB. A quick glimpse confirmed that the figure was the same one from earlier, meaning that he was most likely Celm - while his identity was rather obvious, given exactly why Melissa was showing me this memory, I wouldn't be positive who this figure was until I got confirmation either in this vision or from Melissa after it was over.

Speaking of which, my ROB had retreated under her bed sheets in surprise when the figure had appeared, shaking in fear, but only for a few seconds, before uncovering her head to look at him.

"It is alright," replied the figure in a voice that sounded like Celm's yet was...different. Perhaps he had shapeshifted to use this armor?

"....Who are you?" questioned Melissa.

"I........cannot say," noted the figure, though he struggled to say the words. Was something wrong? "And that is....not important.....at the moment. What is important is that I will not hurt you. Now, who are you?"

"........I'm Melissa."

"I see. I must commend you for fighting off that monstrosity - few would have the courage and will to fight it, fewer still the strength to last that long against it. Though that is talk for another day. Tell me, did your family perish fighting that creature?"

"........no."

"I see, how fortunate."

"They weren't anywhere near its rampage."

"Oh. Well, can you tell me who they are?"

".......I'd rather not - we had a........falling out."

"......My apologies....do you.....want me to take you back to your home? Maybe meet with them again, try to...mend what has been broken?"

"I would.....but I don't even remember where home is. I fought that thing for three days, over so much land that I can even remember which was is home."

"oh.......I see.....Well, then, would you like to stay with me? At least until you regain your memory of where your home is?"

"......DId you find those who stood with me against that beast?"

"Yes. They were very worried about you."

".....Can they stay with you?"

"I see no reason they cannot."

"Then so long as they may stay with you, so shall I."

"Very well then. I shall tell them that."

"Let me do that-"

"You need to rest. Your wounds have not yet healed, and it will be some time before you can move without great pain. Please, allow yourself some time to rest. Perhaps your memory will come back during that time."

"...Fine."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With that, the vision came to an end. The scene around me dissolved until I was back in my starship, with Melissa still holding her hand to my head. A quick check of my internal clock revealed that only ten minutes had past since the vision began.

"....So, that was how you met him?"

"Yes, it was."

".......Did you ever remember where you came from?"

"I never forgot. I just didn't want to tell him that. I am royalty, and I wasn't sure that he wouldn't try to ransom me off to my parents, should he know who I was. By the time that I knew he would never have done that, though, I couldn't work up the nerve to tell him."

"Why?"

".....Because I liked living under his hospitality, and also because....well, I wasn't really sure that my family wanted to see me again."

"Really?"

""Yes. My parents and I had a falling out, and I wasn't sure how they would react. Part of me felt that they would welcome me back with open arms, bit another was worried that they would accuse me of faking my death to get their attention."

"...That's not necessarily a good reason not to tell him who your parents are...were."

"That's only two reasons. There is one other reason I never told him their names."

"And that is?"

".....I don't remember them anymore."

"...........What?"

"By the time I worked up the nerve to tell him who my family was.....who I was.....I'd forgotten a lot about my family. Look, when he saved me, I was one hundred and sixty nine years old. It took me until I was two hundred to be absolutely sure he wouldn't exploit my family if he knew who I was. By that time, I forgotten a lot about who I was."

"Ouch."

"I know."

After that, silence reigned in my ship. Melissa decided to sit down after that and check up on things in her territories, as did I. My conscious soon drifted back to what Melissa had shown me. Part of me wondered if what she had sown me was a lie, but from how she had acted, I was almost certain she had shown me the truth. If it was true, than, well, I felt a lot of my resentment toward her disappear. I guess some of this cake from how similar we were - both of us were taken from all we knew and love, by beings far stronger than ourselves.

.......Good grief, I was really sympathizing with a ROB. Had the multiverse gone mad?

....Maybe it had.

XXXXXXXXXX

AN: Took a few days, but I got this out. Going to see a movie now, won't be able to answer questions for three hours.

Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[ptbptb]

Well that answers some questions, and raises more.

Spoiler: typoes etc

"Severine, are you alright?" I toned the figure, confirming my thoughts as to who it was.

Click to shrink...

'toned'? Maybe you meant to type 'turned to' ?

Someone were human

Click to shrink...

I don't even remember where home is. I fought that thing for three days, over so much land that I can't even remember which wasway is home is.

Click to shrink...

DId you find those

Click to shrink...

Stray capital in 'Did'.

 

[Jormuungaand]

Was that horror she was fighting anything we would know or something made up from scratch?

 

[Flameal15k]

Was that horror she was fighting anything we would know or something made up from scratch?

Click to shrink...

No, it's a completely made up entity.

Explaining any further would spoil some things regarding Melissa's origins, as well as Celm's.

 

[january1may]

'toned'? Maybe you meant to type 'turned to' ?

Click to shrink...

Or, more likely, "I toned" is a typo for "intoned".

 

[Flameal15k]

Or, more likely, "I toned" is a typo for "intoned".

Click to shrink...

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

 

[Flameal15k]

The rest of my trip back home happened in silence - I was too embarrassed to speak, and I think Melissa was too. Besides, I was too busy processing what my ROB had shown me to be bothered with conversation. On the one hand, the vision had made me somewhat angrier at my ROB - how could she take me from everything I had known and loved, especially since she had dealt with the exact same thing?! - but at the same time, I felt somewhat more comfortable around her, for roughly the same reasons that I had gotten angrier at her. Additionally, what had seen helped me understand something about Melissa, namely, why she had been so affected by that transport full of innocents being blown up so many months ago. Surely a being of her age would be used to being faced with situations where they could not help others? Now, though, it all made sense - she had once been in one of those situations, except that she was the one who had been in danger. Every time she was faced with a situation like this, she couldn't help but feel that she was once again in that battle, facing a foe she could not defeat, against whom death was certain.

There was a chance that I was wrong about this, but it was small, and I paid no mind to it. Not when this explanation was the reasonable one.

Her remarks prior to my admittance of companionship toward her also explained why she wanted to travel with me in the first place - she was lonely, and just wanted to have someone to talk to. As for why she didn't talk at first......she couldn't find a good topic to start on?

Ugh, enough thinking there, just let the rest of the ride happen!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When I finally returned home, I found Rory and the rest of my children passed out around a movie screen, and much to my surprise, they had huddled on top of one another, forming what I could only describe as a cuddle-pile.

To say it was adorable was an understatement. Even Melissa seemed to think so, given that all she did upon seeing the pile was smile and try to cover the kids with blankets without burying any of them.

Checking the rest of my tower's systems and camera networks revealed that all non-nocturnal staff and machinery had shut down, as was expected. I was getting ready to turn in for the night, but there was one last thing I wanted to do.

"You want to look at the vision the artifacts will provide for you, correct?"

Having a mind reading ROB was kinda annoying at times.

"Yes."

"Then I'll make my leave now - I assume that you will want to have some privacy to watch this, no?"

"Actually, could you stay? I want you to watch this with me."

"......What?"

"You've helped me a lot so far with these artifacts, I think you deserve to see what they have to show me. Plus you shared one of your secrets with me, I might as well share something with you."

"Good point. Well then, let's see it."

XXXXXXXXXX

It didn't take long to reach the artifact center - teleporter powers were awesome - and the assembly of the complete artifact from the three smaller ones obtained from the Gal Civ universe had just completed when I had arrived home. All that remained was to actually watch what it had to show me.

"I know you want to see this, but how are we supposed to both watch it? I mean, I know you modified your eye's and possess scanners in them at the nanoscale so that you can scan anything you look, but how am I supposed to see this? Through my powers? Or....oh"

Careful training with the Ethereals had taught me how to share mental input with others, both to and from the intended target. It took some time, and had initially given me a few nasty head aches, but it had worked - I had mastered the art of the mind merge, as Melissa had just found out.

"Yeah, that works. Now lets get to it!"

Smiling, I focused my eyes on the Artifact, began the scanning process, and merely sighed as the Darkness overcame me and my ROB.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Surprisingly, this vision did not start out with anything, well, visual. Instead, it started with a voice.

You have seen who our foes are, what they are capable of. Yet you know nothing yet of where they come from. Witness this now, and prepare, for we know not how long until the storm approaches, and you confront them.

"What was that?" questioned Melissa.

"Guess its just some advice as what we are about to see."

The minute I said that, things finally cleared up, and I got the chance to see.

At first, all was calm. Then something huge promptly went flying through me and Melissa. We both reacted in surprise for a moment before remembering that we were not really here, just observing what I was assumed was a memory.

Turning our attention back toward the flying object, I watched several of the small, organic entities that the artifacts warned me of began to attack the object that had been sent flying, which soon righted itself, revealing that it..... was the Mobile Armor Hashmal?!?!

.....Yep, it was. Also, the organic beings were wrecking the Hashmal and its plumas like they were nothing - wait, something just killed them all and saved the Mobile Armor. Must be another Mobile Armor - isthatGundamBARBATOS?! AND IT'S HELPING HASMAL BACK UP?!?!

.......Yes, it was. The Mobile Amor and Post Disaster era Gundam stared at each other for one moment, before charging off into the distance. The memory followed them, leading to a.....very interesting sight.

Before us was a battle, on one side was the organic things the artifacts had warned me of, on the other, well, it looked like the results of some epic crossover story: Forerunner War Sphinx were killing off the largest of the beasts, while back up by an army of what appeared to be.....I think those were Vaulters? Backing of the War Sphinx were Warlord Titans, though surprisingly, I could also make out the form of the Attack and Colossus Titans assisted the mechanical giants. Red, Bronze, Blue, Green, and Black dragons flew across the battlefield, slaying as many of the creatures as they could find. All these beings and more did battle with the organic beings, and so far, this mighty army was winning.
In fact, they managed to reduce the army of monsters to a few stragglers, largest of which was a giant, slimy looking....beast....

I exchanged a glance with Melissa, whose eyes' had widened at the sight. IT took only a few expressions for us to hold our unspoken conversation: once the vision was over, I would ask her about the monster, but not now.

Said monster had just been knocked over by a Warlord Titan, supported by several battlemechs. Desperately, it tried to crawl away, only to be pinned by the titan, which readied to stomp on it. Suddenly, a barrage of ordinance slammed into the machine, toppling it. Turing my attention towards the source of the counter attack, I saw a line of tanks advancing -wereTHOSEANTS?!?!

......Yep, those were indeed Planetary Annihilation Ants. And they were not along: accompanying them were Doxes, Grenadiers, Bumblebees, Hummingbirds, Wyrms, Stitches, quite literally every Planetary Annihilation unit that I had seen that fought in Atmosphere and wasn't restricted to the ocean. As soon as he arrived, they began attacking the army of universes, as I had decided to call it, allowing the organic monstrosities to rally and turn the tide of the fight. Soon, the positions from early had bene reversed, with the Organic Entities, now backed up by the Progenitor machines, being the ones winning. This time, though, there was no back-up to turn the day - the Army of Universes merely created several portal and bugged out before they could be wiped out.

Only now did the vision fade once more to black, with the voice from earlier finally making a return.

Our enemies, your power - different tools, same masters. Two different garments carved from the same cloth. Be ready, for they will know how you fight.

Only then did the vision end.

XXXXXXXXXX

Once I awakened, I turned toward Melissa, who immediately began to speak.

"I don't have any idea why that thing looks so much like my slime demon?"

".....I believe you."

"Really?"

"I've learned the ability to pick up on the emotions of others while training my psychic powers, as well as tell whether they are lying. You are telling me what you believe to be the truth."

"Glad I don't have to convince you."

"You're not off the hook yet."

"Well, what else do you want to ask me?"

"Why was there a progenitor power generator in your memory?"

".....It's a long story. Fact is, my people have been living in the shadow of the Progenitors all our existence - there tech is where we get most of ours. Some old stories my parents told me even say that we're their chosen successors, destined to wield their might as our own. Others said that they made us, maybe as tools to fight in their wars. That might actually explain why my creations look so much like the Progenitor ones. Watch this."

Before I could respond, Melissa pulled up her sleeve and pointed at her arm. A moment later, a disgusting looking cyst of sort started to grow their, much to my shock, before it promptly fell off from her skin and burst open, revealing a weird, insect-like creature. Even with all the disgusting things I had seen up until that point, I was still disgusted by what I saw.

"Is that how you made the slime demon?"

"Yep, though the cyst actually ate other stuff and got huge before it turned into that thing."

"I see......so your saying that maybe your kind are creations of the Progenitors, perhaps weapons that outlived their wielders and decided to find their own place in the world."

"Possibly. I'm just guessing. Maybe Celm knows more about it - he's a lot older than me. Of course, he might not be inclined to give those secrets away so easily. Though, what I said would explain why he's so fanatically devoted to trying to get you to get all of the remaining Progenitor tech - if he's still loyal to our creators, assuming that that is what the Progenitors are, he might not want their legacy tarnished."

"I see. Well, I don't have anything else to say, so if you want to leave, feel free. Not that I could keep you from leaving if I wanted to, though."

"I know. Well, goodbye."

One bright flash of light later, and she was gone.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Melissa wasn't completely wrong with what she had told - most of what she had said was right, but how her kind were related to the progenitors was just a little off from the truth.

XXXXXXXXXX

AN: Read, Review, and DISCUSS! DISCUSSION IS REALLY APPRECIATED! OTHERWISE I'D JUST POST THIS ON FANFICTION! I LIKE DISCUSSION, IT IS WHY I AM ON SPACEBATTLES AND SUFFICIENT VEOLCITY!

And now my ranting is over. This is Flameal15k, signing off!
​

 

[Jormuungaand]

Well, the Conmanders woke up long after the war they were built for and fought each other over the ruins of the galaxy. "The Age of Humanity has long passed. Scattered across the universe, agents of destruction lay dormant for millennia. Until the Awakening." That's from the PA trailer. I see a theme in Progenitor weapons.

 

[Ryven Razgriz]

"Discussion"

So you say but there's really nothing for me to discuss.

I'll be honest, while I'm not satisfied (Personal Opinion), It wasn't that bad. Like I said last time, I still don't like that you and your ROB are interacting with each other quite closely and the fact that you tend to over-milk a series but hey this is your fic.

 

[Flameal15k]

As the teleportation light faded, Melissa sighed. This universe had been very interesting. The things she had seen, the things she had done....

And, of course, what she had done with the Commander.

Looking back on it, she was....unsure how to feel, to say the least. She had enjoyed messing with him, oh yes, and seeing him fight epic battles, but here......

She had fought side by side with him.

He had come to her birthday and given her a thoughtful gift, in spite of having plenty of reasons not to attend.

And, of course, when he had been invited to a victory gala following the victory against the Drengin and Dread Lords, she had been the one he had chosen to take with him as his, for lack of a better word, date.

True, he had done so mostly out of lack of better options, and pressure from his subordinates, but that didn't change the fact that he had invited her, and for all he annouance at being her 'date', he hadn't groused about it at all at the gala. Why?

....Did he like her? At least, as a friend?

.....Good heavens, had long had it been since she had used that word?

Friends - she had had those once, and her coworkers had once been among those, but now, the word was alien to her. Oh, Celm and his children might count, but she thought of them as family, not friends. Her subordinates could also count, but they were not exactly equals to her, and she could not view such an unequal pairing as a friendship. No, right now, she was without friends.

And yet, that did not change how the Commander seemed to view her. Or how she was beginning to view the commander.

Then she felt a familiar presence in the room behind her.

"So, how are you doing?"

And then came a familiar voice. Sighing once more, Melissa turned to address the white-suited ROB.

"Fine, just fine. So, how have things been for you?"

"Predictably well. It seems Faith's 'sister' has finally decided to take up her now deceased sibling's duties as my commander. One less inconvenience for me."

"Well, lucky you. Looks like you have no need to abduct another Commander to free you from your shackles."

"Indeed. So, what about you? How has your commander progressed?"

"Splendidly. Unfortunately, though, problems have come up - the artifact he recovered that caused that mess when we last met was not an isolated incident, and have been causing no end of problems."

"Oh. You have my sympathies. Though I must ask, how badly was he imperiled by them?"

"I had to get involved personally to save his ass twice due to the trouble those machines caused."

"....You're serious?"

"Indeed. My own master has actually given me a fair amount of freedom to get involved in the Commander's jouney because of those blasted machines."

"I see......well, good luck, and I hope your pawn continues to provide you with some amusement."

"Thanks," replied Melissa, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"Well, I must be going. Farewell."

With that, the White Suited Figure vanished.

".......Not that those struggles are really amusing anymore," finished the female ROB, to no one in particular.

XXXXXXXXXX

The feed on the screen looped itself several times, always returning to the topic the gathered Operatives were interested in - the most junior of their number dancing with her own pawn, both seeming, if not happy, then at least content with their current situation.

Hours had passed since the couple and their entourages had left the gala, during which time the couple had shared an emotionally intimate moment, as Operative Omega had clearly shown a vision of some sort to her Commander, one of great personal significance. What she had shown eluded them, for their master had explicitly prevented this machine from showing people's thoughts, for the sake of off-roading those they observed some measure of decency.

Still, they could speculate. Both on what the vision was and what showing it had meant.

"So, are those two an item now?" Questioned one of the more intellectual of the Operatives. Sigma was her designation.

"Don't be stupid," replied Operative Iota, the most brutish of the Operatives. "They haven't really interacted enough for romance to be a thing for them, plus the good Commander hasn't forgiven her for his abduction - his emotions on that subject are easy enough to read. Besides, didn't Omega say that she preferred, well, people with a little more meat on them?"

"He isn't a pile of twigs," replied Sigma.

"Yeah, but he's still rather slim, even if he is more athletic than any other Commander we have observed."

"Regardless of whether or not those two are now a couple," intoned Zeta, "shouldn't we be focusing on our next move? Should we not be trying to figure out how to knock Omega off her perch?"

"Lady," retorted Iota, "you and Tau are the ONLY ones who wish to remove Omega from her current position. And while you've said it's because you believe she has been promoted primarily out of nepotism, which may or may not be true, fact is, she still puts in all the effort her position demands and then some. You're just jealous."

"We are not!" Shouted Tau in defiance. "Envy may be a motivator, but if you think it is our only reason for trying to force a demotion of our compatriot, you are sorely mistaken."

"Oh, right," noted Sigma, "there is another reason you want Omega denoted: you two want your friend back."

"....wwwwwWhat!?" Stuttered Zeta, her face beginning to flush with blood. Beside her, Tau's expression remained calm, but his face had also begun to turn red.

"Yeah, that's it - you're angry that Omega neglected your friendship because of her promotion. That she decided to put prestige before companionship. Well, I hate to break it to you, but she doesn't care one bit about any fame her office provides her. Heck, have you seen the things she did for our Leader? Some of it is incredibly degrading, yet she did it anyway. Omega's not brown-nosing the boss. She's serving him practically out of fanaticism."

"What are you saying?!" Questioned Tau, heavily offended by Iota's speech. The fact it was true just rubbed salt in the wound.

"I'm saying that Omega doesn't care about prestige. She's so devoted to Celempheros because of some other reason, one that I am pretty sure will ALWAYS supersede her friendship to you. She once told you that she owed him everything. From what I've seen of her loyalty to him, she probably does. And if you can't realize that, it's your problem."

The two Operatives stared at their fellows, trying to formulate some response, but ultimately failing. Beaten, they both turned their backs to their comrades, primarily out of disgust....but also so that the others would not see the single tear on each of their faces.

"Look," began Sigma, "we are all sorry that you two lost your friendship with Omega, but if you keep trying to displace her in an effort to get her to open up to you once more, you'll only ruin any chance you have to get it back."

"Then what should we do?" Shot back Tau, bitterness evident in his voice.

"Just...well, maybe try being nice to her? It might make her open back up to you two?"

"Ha. Ha. Ha. The fact of the matter is that Omega is the one who broke our friendship, and she will have to be the one to make the first move to mend it. And the day that happens is the day a Commander actually meets something that can fight them and win."

The remaining operatives stared at their two compatriots for a moment, before ultimately dropping the subject. Tau's words rang true, even if the other wishes they weren't. Omega had been the one to sunder their friendship, and she would need to be the one to start mending it.

XXXXXXXXX

Iacturos watched on as Melissa, having just finished her conversation with the Kan in the White Suit, quickly returned to her quarters and prepared a bath. Her normal, teasing mood was gone, replace with one of uncertainty. Clearly, something from the previous night had riled her, yet what it was eluded him. Breaking his examination of her some privacy to undress and bathe, his thoughts turned to her interactions with her Commander. This was the first time that he had ever observed a Random Omnipotent Being interact with a Commander beyond occasionally sending them taunting messages, and it made him curious to how it would affect this experiment. True, Celempheros had wanted the Commander to help him recover the relics of their forebearers, but now, it seemed things had changed. The artifacts were the cause of it, but the effects were many and, occasionally, unexpected. Melissa's friendship, if it could be called by that name, with her Commander was just one.

A ticklish feeling to his left alerted Iac to the presence of Ismerina. Turning to his left, he examined his sister, who was, for the first time in a month, clade only in her casual clothes, as opposed to the armor Celempheros had appropriated for her, or her formal wear that she wore to Melissa's birthday. Her form resembled Iacturos own, barring the moth-like antenna on her head, in place of her brother's stubbier, segmented one's. While her primary eyes were focused on him, her secondary and tertiary pair were focused occasionally stole glances at the observation screen, where Melissa had finished bathing and had already changed into her night clothes.

Ismerina's constant glancing told her brother all he needed to know - she was worried about Melissa. She was not the first - all of his hundred plus siblings had expressed concern for Melissa after the events of Iakesh, in no small part because they knew it would push one of her most personal buttons. Ever since they had met her so long ago, they had felt that she was one of them.

Even if Celm was not her sire.

XXXXXXXXX

The Leader of the Operatives and his wife sat down, quietly contemplating the events that had happened. So much had occurred that threw their plans for a loop.

Chief among them was the artifacts. Milsanrima has been the one observing the odd couple leaving the gala and, consequently, had been the one to tell him what their adoptive daughter had shown the Commander. In turn, she had also been the one to see the vision this universe's artifacts had offered, depicting the Progenitor engines of war, both mechanical and biological, did what they did best, against the armies of others from all over creation. The mere fact these artifacts showed this vision riled up the two overseers, for good reason: as the artifacts were showing visions of their enemies, it meant someone else had already accessed the technology of the Progenitors and was likely abusing it for their own reasons.

And that was something neither could allow.

XXXXXXXXX

(Note: next two segments take place a few days after the Battle of Drengi)

As soon as the last rifle was put into storage, Mithrios got to work packing th container for transport. It was time to leave.

After securing the container to the transport, Mithrios took one last look at the devastated building he had been resting in, before vaulting out of a hole in its walls. A moment later, his wings extended fully and began to vigorously flap, until he was at a comfortable height to soar. From here, he followed the transport as it headed back to safety.

Mithrios had just signed on with the Naverosaurus navy when the creator had made himself known, and had been part of the force that had helped extinguish the Grox. Still, he had expected his chances to prove himself to the Creator to dry up after this - the creator had armies of unfeeling machines to serve him, ones that would follow his order to the letter and were nigh-invulnerable. To send fleshy beings like him into battle would have seemed cruel when such forces were available. For Mithrios, it would have been....very boring.

It HAD been boring, until the Commander had decided to host war games against the Illuminate, then send them here, to Drengi, to help nlenforce the Drengin's compliance. With a new, holy purpose given to his existence, Mithrios had carried out his orders to the letter, even if they reduced him to a police officer. To serve his creator and follow his almighty purpose was all he could ask for.

At least, he thought it was. Yet now, he felt the desire to do more. His time serving under the creator had made him desire more than merely prestige. Now, he wanted to help others - bring them food, fight evil, be a model soldier. While he would never disobey his Commander, part of him chaffed under the restrictions given to the organic forces in the Infernum Military.

After all, how does one help others in need when they can only show up when the war has been won?

XXXXXXXX

Lernea helped Mithrios offload the last of the weapons before sending him off - she could deal with the rest from here on out.

Lernea had been among the only Infernum forces to attack Drengi, with her war planes providing fire support for the Illuminate Ground forces. She had once again encountered Timingila, who she had ended up fighting alongside. The two had lain waste to the enemy wet navy until nothing remained of them but broken planes and broken bodies. Timingila's prowess had impressed her, especially since this time, the Battleship had not been holding back out of a desire to none lethally defeat their foes.

Soon, though, Lernea's thoughts became more morose. She realized that she was worried about what would happen after the fight. After all, she and Timingila were only allies so long as the Drengin were a threat. With them gone, it was now time for the two empires to go back to conflict.

Was this conflict to last all time? Or could peace be achieved? Lernea would have liked the Federation to be at peace with the Illuminate. Then she and Timingila could fight side by side against any foe they encountered.

XXXXXXXX

Across the Endless expanse of the multiverse, the creatures watched and waited, trying to find their elusive foes. For as long as the could remember, they had been searching for those who would seek them destroyed, all to no succes.

Now, though, they at last had a lead. A trio of mechanisms made by their foes had activated, surreptitiously informing them of where they need look to eliminate their foes.

One head of the snake had been found. Now, it was time to cut and burn it off.

XXXXXXXXX

AN: Tired from flight to Hawaii, but wanted to post this. @Faith helped me write the first part.

Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Flameal15k]

AN: Been wanting to do this ever since I got to the Beyond Earth arc.

XXXXXXXXX

Acquired from the XCOM Project in universe BE-1, Aqua plastics are a primary component in all Infernum Wet Navy vessels. An advanced group of non-thermoset polymers (albeit ones with extraordinarily high melting points), they having amazing resilience, capable of matching even the strength of Progenitor Alloys. Their greater flexibility than metals (at least in certain forms) also makes them excellent personal armor.

Creation: Aqua Plastics are derived from an special variety of bio-oil produced from plants grown by the Aquatoids and their superiors. XCOM was able to procure these plants during aids on Alien bases during the Second Alien War And managed to develope several breeding populations before the war ended, allowing them to continue creating Aqua Plastic based materials even after exhausting all material obtained from capturing alien vessels and raiding extraterrestrial sea based. These plants were later given to Infernum forces during a technology exchange and are now cultivated en-mass in special farms in order to meet production quotas.

Note: while called plants, the organisms used to make Aqua Plastics are closer in nature to algae, specifically kelp, though there are varieties than can be cultivated on dry land.

Processing: As they are not Thermo-Set polymers, Aqua Olastics can be shaped via molds, and can be melted down in order to be recycled for future usage. Vessels and personal equipment made from Aqua Plastics are usually produced as compete components that are then assembled into a finished product, while structures derived from the Plastics are instead created as individual walls that are then assembled on sight.

Final Notes: While roughly equal in terms of strengths and weaknesses to Progenitor Alloys, Aqua Plastics have exponentially higher resistance to pressure, making them more useful for naval vessels. It should also be noted this only applies at absolutely massive amounts of PSI, and that otherwise, Progenitor Alloys are slightly more effective than Aqua Plastics. For this reason, Aqua Plastics are restricted primarily for usage in wet navy operations, as previously noted, being used both as hull plating and as armor for Infernum Frogmen.

XXXXXXXX

AN: Well, that happened.

Everybody always likes to say how awesome the tech they make in Commander fics is, but I feel most stories are rather lacking in that regard. So, I decided to make something to give that technology a spotlight.

Here's one other thing to note for this side story: I will also be making sections for important individuals in this story, such as Commander Flame, as well as important species.

If the title wasn't obvious, this snippet, and all others following it, are based on Civilization's Civilopedia and XCOM's Ufopaedia.

So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Flameal15k]

After taking the night to sleep and allow my confusion regarding my...feelings....for my ROB to dissipate, I decided it was time to tie up all loose ends in this universe. I'd accomplished everything I'd set out to achieve, so it was time to pull out.

My market manipulation had knocked the Korx out of their market dominion, though they still had a significant presence. At this point, I was willing to leave them alone, lest removing them entirely cause even more problems. I sold off most of my assets in the galactic market, only keeping enough to maintain a healthy income if I ever returned. I deliberately allowed the Korx to buy up some of those assets, in order to mollify them and deter them from seeking vengeance. It probably wouldn't help, but hey, I tried.

With my bank accounts settled, I also pulled my forces back and focus my operations only on the territories I had fully claimed as my own. Systems where I occupied only one planet were abandoned, all technology salvaged, recycled and/or scuttled so that no one could use it to gain a leg up on others. Any systems I abandoned that had large amounts of resources on them were surreptitiously placed in the data banks of other galactic powers as targets for future expansion, mostly because I thought people deserved to colonize them. Plus I think nothing should go to waste.

The only systems I continued to occupy outside my established territory were the core ones of the Dread Lords. After negotiating the terms of their surrender, I was not going to let them try and cheat those terms. Additionally, I also wanted to make sure no one tried to wipe the Dread Lords out, seeing how I had managed to achi be the impossible by convincing them to surrender. A large fleet was kept on standby across all Dread Lord systems, with orders to eliminate anyone who attempted to purge the Dread Lords.

Yeah, I might have been naive to assume they would keep their word, but hey, someone has to believe in the innate good of others.

Finally, I wrapped up my final aid to powers of the galaxy by secretly nudging the various research and developement groups across the galaxy toward making certain innovations I'd encountered throughout my travels. I wouldn't hand them over to the native powers, but if they figured out the underlying principles and determined the rest of the details on their own, not my problem.

With the last of my loose ends tied up, I took in one last view of the Gal Civ universe, purchased a few things I wanted, and, finally, returned to my hub universe.

XXXXXXX

Once safely back home, I began examining all my acquisitions. While Black Hole Guns, Doom Rays, and Black Hole Eruptors were all useful weapons to have, my primary interest lay in the civic techs I had acquired, especially miniaturization. Seriously, the miniaturization the major powers in this universe had achieved bordered on disbelief - they could equip weapons meant for capital ships on fighter chassis, albeit without the ability to fit much else on the ship. Combining that with miniaturization technology the Progenitors had, and I could equip those same types of weapons on INFANTRY.

Yes, I did do that. But only as specialist weapons - overkill is a thing when you want to be a hero. So no using them when civilians are/were an issue.

As for the rest of the technology, well, I mostly integrated it into existing technology, seeing how these advances, while mighty, did not supersede what I already had, but could improve it exponentially if properly integrated. The farming tech in particular was something I wanted to examine, if for no other reason then to have something to barter with if I encountered some medieval magic using civilization whose magic I would like to learn about. Hey, you have to cover all your bases, Okay?!

After that was done, I proceeded to do....a whole lot of nothing.

See, while I had pulled out of the Gal Civ universe for the foreseeable future, I was fully leaving to behind just yet. The next month would serve as a trial period, to examine how the galaxy reacted once I left, so that I could see if there were any new threats that needed to be nipped in the bud. Hopefully, without causing a new and bigger problem to show up.

I also made a point of upgrading my forces, taking in the new technologies I had acquired and incorporating them into my existing forces, as well as making new units wholesale to augment my existing ones. Tanks with Black Hole Eruptors, Sniper Bots with Doom Rays, mobile shield generators with the best shielding I could afford, the like. Idly, I wondered how broke my units would be compared to other Commanders if I met more people like me during my journey. I mean, Melissa had confirmed I was not alone on this adventure. If I met another Commander whose origins were similar to myself, would I be able to befriend them, or would war be inevitable? And if conflict proved to be necessary, would I come out on top, or become more of the dust of history?

Food for thought.

XXXXXXXXXX

My laziness also had a secondary reason for occurring: two important days were coming up that I wanted my children to experience, so that they could have at least semi-normal childhoods. As it turned out, Melissa was willing to be involved in the first one.

XXXXXXXXX

I stared at my son, trying to figure out what his choice of attire was. His siblings were also in disguise, Be they as knights, witches, dragons, pirates, robots, or the greys, yet Rory's choice still alluded me.

His chosen form was pitch black in color, and appeared to have a long, flat head, resembling a hammerhead shark, yet no eyes were on the ends of its skull. Vestigial winds were also present, though they offered me no help in determining what he was dressed as.

"....Okay, I give up. What is you costume?"

"I'm a bioraptor. I read somewhere that it was a scary movie monster."

It took me a moment to figure out what he meant, but once I did, I mentally slammed my head against a desk.

I should have figured it out the minute I thought Pitch Black and saw the hammer shaped head.....

"....You didn't watch that movie, did you?"

"Well, I tried, but it took too long to load, so I just decided to watch something else."

A quick check of my database revealed that Rory had tried to watch the film a week ago, only for its loading to be delayed by.....Synais?!

Wow. I didn't think he had it in him.

Oh, and it just turned seven o'clock pm.

A moment later, I felt a funny sensation behind me. Turning around, I found myself staring at Melissa and.....was that a neomorph?!?!

....Nope, just scanned it, it's only Cassidy in a neomorph costume. Phew.

"So, you ready?"

"Yes, I am."

"Good, then let's show our children the wonders of Halloween."

XXXXXXXXXX

Yes, I took my own children out trick or treating with my ROB. No, I was not interested in her.....

Well, actually, I was rather confused about how I felt toward her. I don't think you can say you're attracted to someone if you can't actually describe your feeling toward them.

Moving on, the night passed without much worth mentioning. Our children ended up with several WAGONS full of candy (Melissa had checked to see which neighborhoods on Gal Civ Earth (specifically North America) had the most candy, and had exploited the hell out of teleportation to get us to all of them). I could have used some kind of hover device instead of wagons me to carry their hauls, but sometimes, older is better. Plus people were still using wagons, so why try to stand out?

Once we'd acquired enough candy (and our children had become too tired to keep walking), we returned to my tower, sorted out all the candy collected, let our children have their shares, and after they crashed following their sugar highs, promptly logged out on our supplies of sweets - hey, it was Halloween, so why not enjoy it?

I did if any of my other companions were interested in joining in, but aside from my first three AIs and my sub Commanders, none of them took me up on the offer...okay, the five Crogenitors also joined in. At first they refused because they no longer had physical bodies. I promptly offered them access to my ectogenesis pods and the entirety of their species' genome, which the hidden Crogenitors colony had stored aboard its databanks. The refusal had quickly been retracted, and the Crogenitors had joined my AI companions as being minders for my children and Cassidy. None of them had complained about this, not even Synais or Ingto. And according to the empathic powers I had slowly been training while not leading battles, they were honest in their interest in helping me.

Moving on, following Halloween, most of my time was spent being, well, a father to my children. Sure, I made a time of new units, upgraded existing ones, and the like, but I also spent as much time as I could teaching my sons and daughters, taking them out to see movies and plays, go fishing, really anything I could do that they were interested in. Along the way, I learned more about them: Konrad, for instance, was actually an aspiring poet, while Hideki had significant skill and interest in engineering. Part of me felt bad that all of the technology I had access to rendered flesh and blood engineers obsolete. The rest of me was instead interested in trying to impart the advances in engineering I was acquiring with each universe I visited so that he would still have a place in the world (worlds?) I was going to make. Being able to do things that machines can do is always a good thing, especially if the machine is prone to breaking down.

Eventually, my interactions brought me to the most famous days of feasting, and I spared no expense to make the titular feast as extravagant as possible. And yes, Melissa, her top subordinates, and her daughter joined us.

XXXXXX

"And so, I thank thou for this wonderful life, the wonderful people in it, and the wonderful things I have done with them, amen."

"Amen."

"Amen."

"Allah Ackbar."

(Etc.)

With our thanks done, we wolfed down the massive feast before us. The turkey was the center of the feast, but I'd also acquired venison (via bow, on a literal game preserve planet, and at the cost of falling out of a tree when the deer ran into it and then getting into a fight with a surprisingly aggressive raccoon, which had been annoying as hell), some boar, and even fish, as well as assorted vegetables and pies. As opposed to the dinners I'd grown up with, where there was always some chatter between everyone at the table, this one was painfully silent, barring the occasional chat between the children or some remakes from our other assorted guests. Part of me knew it would be unlikely that chatter would return anytime soon.

After the feast was over, the children filtered out to go and play/Read/have fun, while the others attending the feast (the genetic heroes, my subordinate AIs, and Melissa's most trusted lieutenants) had taken to cleaning the table - despite the fact I had told them this was unnecessary, as I had robots ready to begin cleaning as soon as the feast was done). In moments, only myself and my ROB remained at the table.

"So," began Melissa, "why'd you invite me here?"

"One, because I don't really have any family who can come to this aside from my children, I don't have any friends who can come to it either, and I wanted to invite someone over that I actually knew."

"Okay...."

"And two.... I wanted to than you."

"For What?"

"Forgiving putting me in a Commander Chasis."

"...Seriously? You're thanking me for taking you from your very good life and dumping you into a machine that will take you across the multiverse for both my own amusement and to satisfy my superiors goals?"

"Yes."

"Um, WHY?! I mean, I ruined your life."

"Yes, and I haven't forgiven you IN ANY WAY for that, but you did give me the chance to help more people than I ever would have helped in my old life."

"Well, you're welcome, but seriously, why do you keep inviting me over for stuff? I mean, what am I to you?"

"You're a....good acquaintance."

I had almost said friend, but bailed at the last moment. Acquaintance was the best word I could use at the moment that I felt was absolutely true regarding my relationship with my ROB.

"Really?"

"Yes. And if you seem to be so confused by why invite you to such special occasions, then why do you always accept? I mean, I am only your slave."

"No, you are my.....servant, and refusing an offer from a subordinate is considered unbecoming for my mothers people."


"I see."

"Glad that you do. Though, I do have to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Why do you keep, well, why do you keep trying to grow stronger withojt a Commander?"

"Explain."

"Why do you invest so much time in developing your psionic and E-DNA powers, as well as your physical strengths? I mean, you're a Commander, virtually nothing in existence can challenge you."

"....Well, nature has Fischer me one thing, and that is this: no matter how strong you are, one day, something else will come along that will be able to do what you can do, but better, and once that happens, you need to adapt, or you will die out."

"I see. Any other reason?"

"One more: i just don't want to be overly dependent on just one way of fighting. I don't want to rely on Progenitor hypertech bullshit to solve all of my problems, lest I become so dependent on it that I cannot defeat a foe that can match my tech and production advantages."

"But nothing else can."

"The artifacts would beg to differ."

"....fair enough. Now, if ypu'll excuse me, I'd like to go and colored your hub universe. See what you've done so far."

"I don't mind."

"Very well, and goodbye."

XXXXXXX

Looking back, I'll admit that I wasn't expecting my skills beyond my power as a Commander to be tested so soon. To face an enemy that truly made me question my limits. To see so many things change. This had been a time when all that I worried about was an annoying ROB freeloading off of me, and even then, that wasn't such a big problem.

Funny, really, but the day of Thanksgiving, just prior to my final pull out of the Gal Civ universe, spent talking to Melissa, was the last time I was under little stress as a Commander. Goes to show how far things got warped in my next universe.

XXXXXXXX

AN: There'll be one more interlude tomorrow, then a couple of Infernopedia articles after that, before I start the Warframe arc. Please stick with me until then.

Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Flameal15k]

As the evening breeze brushed against her face, Melissa closed her eyes, before opening them once more and gazing down at the street before her. While some had already begun to turn in for the night, other nocturnal beings had just begun to awaken, meaning that the street was still alive with activity.

Many of the daylight shops had already closed, but the ROB did find a few that were still open, and among those, ones that tickled her fancy. She purchased a few articles of clothing and a nice looking piece of art, which she promptly teleported back to her hub universe, ensuring one of her servants was on standby to pick them up. With that out of the way, she returned her attention the city streets.

Despite all of the myriad races and hyper advanced technologies present in her pawn's federation, the scene before her was one that would not looked out of place in twenty first century Earth. Cars and other vehicles breezed by on the street, occasionally stopping so that their occupants could do business, before moving on. Those who had lawns or plants to manage were busy caring for them right now, watering them before night came or trimming them back now that it was cooler. Above, birds flew about, careless to the struggles of others, while pedestrians makes their way across the sidewalks, some walking dogs or similar creatures.

Briefly, the female ROB stopped her walk to observe an empty field at the edge of the town. Here, a group of children seemed to be playing a game of catch. Many were human, but others were of different races, be they ones that the Comamder had crested, or ones that had immigrated into his empire. Perhaps the strangest among the assembled kids were a trio of Drengin, followed by a quarter of Korx and a lone Dread Lord. Stranger still was that the Drengin seemed to have the most fun playing with the Torians in the group. Not a trace of animosity was present in the children, be it in appearance or thought. Melissa smiled at this: for all of her pawn's faults, she did admire his idealist desire to try and make peace between bitter enemies (and no, she was not embarrassed to admit that she admired that). It seemed that here, his labors were bearing fruit.

Reducing her smile to a mere grin, Melissa moved on, wishing to observe her pawn's dominion as best she could.

XXXXXXXXXX

"So, what do you think about my mom?"

"...what?" Asked Rory, perplexed by the question.

"I mean, do you like her? As a person, I mean."

"Well, yeah, of course. She's got her annoying moments, but aside from that, she is a good person."

"I know. I could say the same about your dad."

"Thanks....why did you ask me that question?"

"Because, well, they act really friendly with each other, but my mom says that they aren't friends, and I don't get why. I mean, your dad is the only person my mom seems to be completely comfortable with and isn't completely loyal to her."

"Oh. Yeah, that confuses me too..... do you really think they are friends?"

"...yes, why do you ask?"

"...well, she's really nice, so....I wouldn't mind having her as my mom.......and you as my sister...."

"......that makes two of us....should we ask them about it?"

"No, no, no! If we push it, they might get angry. If we want them to get together, we wait until they stop saying they are enemies."

".....we have a lot of waiting to do, don't we?"

"Yes we do. Yes we do."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"So, your subordinate's pawn has found out about them, has he?" Asked a masculine voice.

"He has."

"Great, just great. Things are getting out of hand."

"True, But we need not abandon the project because of this issue."

"I do believe we will have to - he will not ignore this discovery, and it is only a matter of time before he finds out the truth. And your surrogate daughter is not helping this at all."

"What does she have to do with this?"

"She has grown close to the Commander, and will not tolerate anyone harming him. Part of it is a matter of wounded pride, but more importantly, even if she may deny it, that young man is the first friend she has had in a long time. She will not abandon him to the wolves if she can help it. And what she may do to save him could cost us dearly."

"I will make sure that she does not overstep her bounds."

"Be sure that she does, or there will be consequences...for her, at least - you have proven your devotion to our cause."

"I.....understand."

"Good."

XXXXXXXXX

Clink-clank.

The foundry slept, oblivious to the world around it. Nearby, its companion, the misery, also slept.

The two had once been proud beings, creators and nurturers of machines and monster, sent out to obey their masters. They had made armies to conquer worlds, and then raise those worlds to greatness.

Clink-clank.

Now, though, they were lifeless, without meaning. The war they had been made for was long past, while their masters were now far away, no longer interfering with the multiverse. With no purpose, the great facilities had gone dark, hibernating, waiting either for deactivation or new purpose. Still on standby, they had waited eons for orders that never came.

Clink-clank.

But they wouldn't have to wait anymore.

A signal, just a faint one, reached the facilities, in an instant rousing them from their rest. The structure minds cautiously reviewed it, trying to see if the signal was false.

It was not. Yes, the signal was different from the normal, but the key components were all the same.

It was, unmistakably, a Progenitor signal. Evidently, though, it had been hijacked by a third party.

Instantly, the foundry and nursery whirred to life. Assembly lines, left to collect dust, began to move again, while Origin stalks awakened from hibernation to begin gestation of new warrior beasts. Meanwhile, the greatest of all the assembly lines began amassing pieces to prepare for the slassembly of the most dangerous machine the foundry could create.

It appeared that, whatever foe they were up against, it appeared to wield the power of a Progenitor Commander.

Well then, it was time to fight fire with Fire.

XXXXXXXXXXX

AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Ryven Razgriz]

Ugh... I almost feel sorry for that particular Galaxy (And possibly that entire Universe) for it is about to have two (Or more) Progenitor Commanders about to duke it out.

And not to mention whoever gets caught in the crossfire.

 

[Flameal15k]

Ugh... I almost feel sorry for that particular Galaxy (And possibly that entire Universe) for it is about to have two (Or more) Progenitor Commanders about to duke it out.

And not to mention whoever gets caught in the crossfire.

Click to shrink...

You're on the right track, but you're not correct.

Also, love the new profile pic.

 

[Flameal15k]

As the last portal closed, I sighed. My exit from the Gal Civ universe was complete. The last of my extra forces had either retreated or been scrapped, barring those guarding the few territories I had colonized. The majority of my assets had been sold off, barring the few I was keeping as a set of nest eggs for the future. If I returned to this universe, I might as well have some way to start influencing it without my Commander. Always keep you options varied.

Already, I'd finished integrating my new acquisitions into my tech-base, once again increasing my already overpowered units forces into an even deadlier force. At this point, I would be surprised if anyone could give me a halfway decent fight. The way things were going, I'd be practically invincible soon enough. I say practically because saying you are invincible is just asking the universe to prove you wrong.

Idly, I wondered what Melissa was doing. Probably something crazy, though I wouldn't be surprised if she was doing something incredibly banal. She seemed to be the kind of person who wouldn't mind doing either.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Achoo. Did someone just think about me?"

Confused by her sudden sneeze, the ROB failed to notice the grenades approaching her.

"..Huh-FUUUUU-"

BOOM!

Instantly, gobblers flew around, messily smearing the corridor with blood and viscera.

Meanwhile, Melissa could only scowl as her screen turned toward her killer, who was busy pulling up his crotch armor to show the paper smily face taped there.

"CURSE YPU, P1rate! You will pay for that!"

"Stow it and get back on the Payload!" Shouted one of her teammates. "We're almost at the end!"

"....Fine."

XXXXXXXXX

Eh, probably nothing I needed to worry about.

That being said, before I visited my next universe, I decided that I would take one more look at the memories hidden aboard my Commander. At this point, I just wanted to know more about Melissa. If it somehow provided me insight as to what the artifacts were showing me, all the better.

So, once more, I pulled up the videos hidden in my Commander, selected the next one in the sequence, and hit play.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The screen initially started out blank, before switching into a room filled with computers: monitors, wires, cables, etc. I wasn't sure whether I should call it a cyber café or a computer lab. Sitting at one of the terminals was Celm, of all people.

THe sound of an automated door registered to my sensors just before Melissa entered my view, staring at her superior, who stopped his work on the computer and examined his guest.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

"I've finished reading up on our chosen subject. NOt really got much to say about him, other than that he looks kinda thin."

"He's still on the healthy weight range for his age."

"Barely. Otherwise, though, he is an excellent candidate. Do we really have to go with someone so young, though?"

"Why? Would you have preferred someone older?"

"Yes. As for why, well, I know young people are more open minded, but shouldn't we choose someone whose had time to deal with life and hardships? I mean, someone his age might not be prepared for the horror they could encounter on this mission."

"True, but someone who is older may also be too jaded and cynical for them to function here. Commanders do best when they are chosen from those who are young and idealistic, but not too much so. True, this journey could break him, but it could also make him stronger."

"Not sure why that matters. No offense meant, it's just that you make it sound like this will benefit him should he go back to his ordinary life, but this journey is a one way trip - once he's on it, he can never go back home. Well, he could, but he'll be too changed to fit in."

"Indeed. Still, these Commanders have helped out so much of creation. It would be foolish of us to not help others."

"That's just a secondary goal to your aims, though, right? I know you want him to help you find Progenitor technology across the multiverse."

"I do, but this is a nice bonus."

"Fair enough, but can I still mess with him?"

"If it does not compromise his ability to carry out the primary objective of this project, do what you wish. Though please, I implore you to finish this conversation - I still have information left to input on our new subject."

"Don't worry, I won't break him. No fun if I do. Honestly, my interference might actually be beneficial - maybe he'll get prepared to face the hurdles that will inevitably show up."

"Perhaps it may...."

"...Well, goodbye sir."

"Farewell."

With that, Melissa left the room. Celm returned to his work, but oddly, he now seemed rather somber, much to my surprise.

"....Though even with your help, those hurdles may prove too high to overcome."

With that, he finished entering whatever he was working on, saved, and signed out.

The video ended their, but to my surprise, as it finished, it pulled up more data on itself, including views of the computer Celm was working on. Curious, I examined the one that showed Celm's monitor, then magnified it so the text on the screen was legible.

Most of it appeared to be about me. Unsurprising, given his reasoning for asking Melissa to leave. What was surprising, though, was that all that data was saved under a file named Flameal15k....and above it were six other files, named, in order, N3ptun3, 5trata, Aur0ra, Pla2ma, Mar4uder, and Ste77ar. That instantly picked up my attention: what were those for? I thought I was the only one with a Commander for these ROBs. Were they victims of other Random Omnipotent Bastards? Perhaps they were other potential subjects who had been considered before me? WHAT WERE THEY!?!?

Instantly, I knew I had to know what these names referred to. Of course, that proved to be a problem - how was I supposed to access those files? I didn't even know where to look-OHGODAPORTALOPENEDRIGHTNEXTTOME!

A moment later, a parcel floated through. I reflexively shot it with Soulfire, before mentally berating myself for using an attack only effective against organics on an object that was most definitely not alive. recovering my mental faculties, I quickly scanned the object, and when the results came back as harmless, I quickly opened up the parcel, revealing its contents to be a piece of paper, of all things. On it were what appeared to be a set of directions. Confused, I started reading from the top:

Just happened to see you watching those videos. I know what you're looking for, so follow these directions. I have some...issues with Celempheros, so I assure you that you can trust me here.

….OK.....Part of me wanted to just bunr the paper, but ultimately, curiosity (and a coin toss) conviced me to follow the directions which were:

1. Build a human sized floating fabrication drone.

Done.

2. Send the drone through the portal.

Okay.

3. Go down the Aquarium hallway. Do not get too close too the walls - the crabsnakes can't break the glass, but the noise of them trying may attract unwanted attention.

So Celm had visited the Subnautica Universe? Cool.

Also, good advice.

4. You'll reach a room filled with wires. This is the junction for the main server room in this facility. Before you ask, it's Celm's personal base. There should be a terminal on one of the walls. Access it, and enter the following:

Username: N45tyG1rl

Password: Ap0calyps3%

Well, that was easy. Also, who goes by the username 'Nasty Girl'?

5. You'll see the normal desktop open up. Select Projects, then go under 'Progenitor Reclamation Initiative'.

Doing that. Also, now I had a name for Celm's overall goal with me.

6. You'll need to do some searching around here to find your target information. Sorry I can't help. Look at step 7 once you find what you are looking for.

To be honest, help wasn't needed here - I could remember what I had seen in the video, and I knew what word to look under to find those names. Granted, it wasn't a word in any alphabet I had ever seen.

AN: Not posting the word anytime soon, still not sure what it should be, but it is in an alien alphabet

One click later, and I found what I was looking for.

7. Right Click the first name, then select bring to main data.

….okay, I'll do that-OHGODTHEDRONEJUSTGOTTELEPORTEDSOMEWHERENEW!

For a moment I hyperventilated, before quickly calming down. Taking in a moment to examine my surroundings, I found myself in a dark room that resembled an art gallery of sorts, or maybe a museum. Only problem was that I couldn't see or determine what the exhibits were, except that they were, well, big - the room actually had a monorail to travel between the exhibits, of which there were six.

8. You're in a room that looks like an art gallery. There should be terminals in front of each 'exhibit'. Examine them - they aren't protected by any security.

Wow, this list really knew what I was thinking. Anyway, I did what it said and accessed the first terminal.

SUBJECT: N3ptun3
Real Name: CLASSIFIED
Age: Classified
Gender: Female
Viable Candidate for Initiative: Yes
Successful in completing mission objectives: No
Status: Deceased.

Hold on, deceased? How had they died? Was Celm responsible?

Maybe the next screen would provide more information?

Quickly, I gloated the drone over to that one (no need to use the monorial when I could fly silently) and activated it.

SUBJECT: 5trata
Real Name: CLASSIFIED
Age: Classified
Gender: Male
Viable Candidate for Initiative: Yes
Successful in completing mission objectives: No
Status: Deceased.

He's also deceased? What gives? Who killed them?!

I was starting to get worried. Was Celm far less benevolent than I believed?

I swiftly moved onto the third display and activated it.

SUBJECT: Aur0ra
Real Name: CLASSIFIED
Age: Classified
Gender: Female
Viable Candidate for Initiative: Yes
Successful in completing mission objectives: No
Status: Deceased.

At this point, I had gone from worry to panic. I fast as possible without being too loud, I examined the rest of the displays, only to find that the results were the same. Apparently, all of these candidates were dead.

Less horrifyingly, they were evenly split on the gender ratio.

Why were they dead, though? Celm clearly had no reason to off them, and I doubt he would just casually murder people for fun - it didn't match up with what I had seen so far. Had some of his subordinates merely grown bloodthirsty? Was their a new conspiracy brewing back home? Just what was going on?

Searching for answers, I found myself looking back at the list I had been provided.

9. There's one more terminal at the back of the room. If you need more answers, use that.

Indeed, there was one more terminal, this one close to what I realized was the only mundane entrance to this exhibit. Acitvating it, I found that if offered three different options:

SHOW PICTURES
LIST LOCATIONS OF DEATH
TURN ON LIGHTS

Making a mental note to scan the area before using the last option, I selected the first one. Instantly, pictures of the subjects appeared on each of the six terminals I had already visited. Aside from some impossible hair colors, they were nothing out of the ordinary.

That should have been clue number one.

Still confused, I selected option two. Once again, a new tidbit of information appeared on each display, this one listing the location of the candidate's demise. The one I bothered to read said 'Universe B2A4'.

That one started throwing off alarm bells in my head, but unfortunately, it still did not offer a satisfactory explanation for my question.

Sighing in the safety of my hubworld, I did a scan encompassing a sphere with a mile radius from my drone's location, and, finding nothing dangerous, selected option three.

One by one, the lights came back on, and slowly, I saw each of the six exhibits. As each appeared, I felt my heart sink, for I recognized their forms.

After all, as a fan of Planetary Annihilation, its pretty hard not to recognize six different commanders, even if they are clearly dead.

I could only stare on at them in horror for a few moments, before some force managed to pull me away from my gawking and look at my list where, surprisingly, their was one last instruction.

10. Turn Around.

My drone did just that. Instantly, my heart skipped a few beats, to the point an automated health drone moved into my room in case I entered Cardiac Arrest.

In the Hall of Dead Commanders, my drone now stared at a woman. One who I had recognized.

She had been at Melissa's birthday, and she had not strayed too far from Celm.

So, with nicety percent certainty, it appeared that mine drone had been caught snooping around Celm's base by his wife.

I was so screwed.....

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!​

 

[Jormuungaand]

She(?) sent the note, yes?

 

[Lucas]

What game was she playing that

Spoiler: that

Meanwhile, Melissa could only scowl as her screen turned toward her killer, who was busy pulling up his crotch armor to show the paper smily face taped there.

sounded ridiculously familiar but I can't remember from where.

 

[Faith]

In Team Fortress 2 the Demoman has a taunt that allows players to do that.

 

[Flameal15k]

In Team Fortress 2 the Demoman has a taunt that allows players to do that.

Click to shrink...

Faith-sama is correct, Melissa was playing Team Fortress 2.

 

[Flameal15k]

For a moment, I stared at Ceelm's wife, unsure what to do. Would she attack my drone? Would she rat me out to her husband?

HOw had the instructions even known that she would be there...….oh.

"Yes," the female ROB said, "you seem to be catching on."

"You're the one who gave me the directions ,aren't you?" I inquired, thankful my probe had speakers, though given what I knew about my other two ROBs, the one before me could probably just read my thoughts if she so desired.

"Correct on both accounts. And for future reference, my name is Milsanrima, and yes, I know it is a mouthful."

"It most definitely is, yet that is besides the point. So, why did you send me those instructions?"

"I have...issues with my husband's actions. His goals I agree with, but how he achieves them, not so much."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Of course. First off, though, did you really expect that you would be the only Commander he would send across the multiverse?"

"I thought he hated people using them."

"Only if they tarnish the legacy of our forbearers - that is, the ones who made the machines. IF they are used to defend the Progenitors' legacy, he has no complaints."

"Okay, so why does he have so many of them around? And what did he use them for?"

"Simple really: to accomplish his goal of reacquiring the Progenitor technology scattered across the cosmos."

"Why does he need more than one to do that?"

"Would the simple idea of speeding up the process of acquiring the technology via using multiple commadners be too unreasonable for you to believe?"

"...No, and I feel like an idiot. So, you're saying these are all my predecessors? And they were all active at the same time?"

"Yes and no: these commanders did fulfil your role, but they were not all active simultaneously. The first three were, but the rest were activated sequentially."

"I see......How did they go offline in the first place?"

"Can't a woman keep some secrets?"

"..….."

"...Well, I have no desire to tell you what that answer is, but here is a hint: just because you are the strongest thing in every universe you've visited doesn't mean you will stay that way forever. The only certainty in nature is change. If you stagnate any of your skills, then you will, eventually, fall."

"Do you have to be so vague?"

"Yes, and I revel in it."

"..…...Should I leave now?"

"Please do - I won't tell my husband about this, but I would prefer you leave before he has time to question where you are."

"How do I know that he isn't watching right now?"

"I made sure of it. I....ensured that he would be unable to intervene. Or feel anything beneath his waist for a while, for that matter. That distraction was...exhausting, but certainly kept unable to overhear our conversation."

"What do you mean by that, and why are you blushing....oh. Wait, are you saying that-ACK!"

I felt something clinging around my throat, even though nothing was there to do so.

"Yes, I did, but finish that sentence and you will need a new windpipe. I prefer no one speak about my...less then wholesome actions where they can be recorded."

"Okokokokok just let me go."

A moment later, the pressure on my throat relaxed. I took in as much air as possible, then returned my focus to Milsanrima. "Just to ask, how are you able to stand when he isn't, considering how you, well, dealt with him?"

"I'm floating a centimeter off the ground, though honestly I could simply ignore the exhaustion in my lower body if necessary, or use my powers to make myself feel rrested. My husband simply elected not to do so."

"I see. Well, I believe this is goodbye...though first, could you answer me a question?"

"Yes."

"Could I call you Mil? Milsanrima is a mouthful, and I believe that I will be familiar with quite a few 'Milly's before my travels are over."

"....Fair enough, but please refrain from using that name in the presence of my husband unless he approves - he's rather possessive of me."

"Is he too clingy for you?"

"No, though granted, I'm hardly one to judge - let's just say anyone who is interested in him and I didn't like learns to flinch in my presence."

"..…..Well, bye!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ugh, why do I get saddled with crazy lady ROBs? Hell, why did I get ROBs who felt that they had to be directly involved in my adventures? Why couldn't I have a normal ROB who just left me alone and laughed at my failures and only made a couple of minor interventions throughout my travel? That would have made my journey so much easier.

….Well, actually, I'd probably be dead right now if they didn't intervene so much. Even if I wasn't, and I hadn't ended up in some fate worse than death, I'd still probably be really bored without their intervention in my life. Ironic, isn't it - I couldn't really stand all the actions my ROBs took, but I couldn't live without them.

…..Ugh, I spent too much time reading tv tropes before I got on this adventure. Even if it did make life better. Such is how things go.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

In the aftermath of what Mil had told me, I began building up as many units as I could. Tanks, spaceships, wet navy ships, warplanes, bots, anything I could access. My organic creations were swiftly bred and trained, in order to prepare for whatever foes there might be out there. Overall, I took no chances, creating as many units as I dared. Somehow, I knew that, whatever caused the defeat of the other commanders would eventually come to me, and if I hoped to survive, I would need to be as strong as I could hope to be.

For all of my preparation....

For all of my training....

For all that I had learned....

I wasn't strong enough.

Not when they came.....

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

AN: Yeah, big cliffhanger, I know. I'll post trivia tomorrow to elaborate on some of the things that were supposed to be seen in this arc.

Until then, read and review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!

 

[Commander Rexen]

Flameal15k you're probably not going to answer this. Is this "They" an enemy comparable to commander with an insane number of units or a decent amount of units but really hard to destroy?
I really like the story so far.