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.

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