The Commander looked at the screen for a moment, before pressing on of the holographic buttons.
A moment later, a machine nearby him whirred to life, and began to move toward his body.
Mere seconds alter, it was assaulted by a sentient worm, which swiftly tore it apart, throwing the remains against a wall, before boring back in the former humans flesh, causing him intense pain.
The Commander stared at the remains of the machine for a moment, before slamming his hand into floor, only to wince and lift it up, revealing that said hand was bleeding profusely.
Deep within the ship, the infested biomass left to grow interfaced with the ship once more, examined the sound files, and pressed play.
AN: Soundtrack Start - Hurt By Nine Inch Nails, Original Version
I...Hurt Myself Today
To See If I Still Feel
The Commander watched as, in the distance, Sentient creatures descended onto the Earth, and in doing so, made war with the Grineer.
I Focus On The Pain
The Only Thing That's Real
XXXXXXX
Within the deserts of Mars, Etran watched the Grineer move their casualties into a field hospital. Said hospital was filled to capacity, yet still new arrivals came. The Grineer simply didn't have enough people on hand to treat their wounded. It had gotten so bad, some of the Tenno had volunteered to help them..and the Grineeer had accepted without any fuss.
The Needle Tears a Hole
The Old Familiar Sting
Try To Kill It All Away
But I Remember Everything
It'd only been five days, and things had completely fallen apart. The Sentients, bolstered by the Commander technology they had stolen, were now attack the relays and all Tenno dojos across the system, forcing the Heavenly Emperors to fight round the clock to repel them...and slowly, they were weakening. The Tenno, despite their awesome power, still tired, whilst the synthetics did not. They were fighting a losing battle...and though everyone refused to give up just yet, some felt that this war was already lost.
XXXXXXX
Back within the wreckage of the Extinction, the Commander turned to stare at the broken form of his ROB. So strange it was, to see such a powerful being look so fragile.
What Have I Become
My Sweetest Friend?
Making it all the worse was that, in some way, he was responsible for her current state.
And that truly pushed him to the breaking point.
Everyone I Know
Goes Away In The End
XXXXXX
Eudico turned upwards as Nef began another broadcast.
"Attention, Solaris, I have an important announcement to make!"
"What's it this time?" wondered Legs. "We have higher quotas again?"
"Thanks to a...very surprising donation...all of your debts are annulled. You are...free to leave..when you wish."
Silence reigned over Fortuna a the broadcast ended, the Solaris uncomprehending of what they had just heard.
And You Can Have It All
My Empire Of Dirt
"We're...free?" questioned Ticker, fvoice full of uncertainty.
"Not like its means much right now," was Zuud's tired response.
"Given the state of the System right now...I'm inclined to agree with you," replied Biz.
Just then, the Solaris heard the sound of something descending from above. Turning toward it, they saw one of the Commander's Drones, this one displaying a holographic screen before it.
I Will Let You Down.
I Will Make You Hurt.
XXXXXXX
Exhausted, Melissa leaned back, whimpering as her back flared with pain. Nearby, Cassidy watched her with worry, wanting to help, but unsure how.
I Wear This Crown of Shit
Upon My Liar's Chair
On a nearby monitor, she saw the Tenno fighting side by side with the Infestation against the Sentients and the former forces of her pawn.
They were losing to the synthetics. So much so that calling it a fight was too generous to them.
Full Of Broken Thoughts
I Cannot Repair
And most of this was her fault. True, the Commander Cyberwarfare Systems had managed lock out Hunhow of some of the more absurd advances the Progenitors had provided...but that was only because she had allowed Flame access to those advanced ones. If she hadn't done so, the system would've repelled him completely.
A flicker of light on one of the nearby screens lifted her attention away from her thoughts. It appeared Flame was sending one of his drones to..Cetus? Why?
XXXXX
Konzu stared at the robot for a moment, uncomprehending.
Eventually, though, he regained his voice. "You are saying that, if you cannot get back what you lost from the Sentients, then those above you will destroy the System?"
'Yes,' it displayed. 'IF you want to be sure ask the Quills.'
Konzu stared at the machine, unbelieving, though eventually his expression softened. 'Ai Yo, Surah. What you say is rather fanciful...but if you are correct, is there any way for us to escape this fate?"
Beneath The Stains Of Time
The Feelings Disappear
'I do have a place where you could move to...but that would require the Ostrons to abandon Cetus. And I doubt you would make that decision easily.'
"Right you are...I need time to bring this up with the Quills."
'I understand. Farewell, Surah."
You Are Someone Else
"Farewell, Commander."
I Am Still Right Here
XXXXXXXX
Melissa watched as her pawn finished typing out those words...then slowly slumped forward, exhausted.
What Have I Become
My Sweetest Friend?
Everyone I Know
Goes Away In The End
Melissa couldn't bare to watch him suffer alone. With difficulty, she stood up and, with Cassidy's assistance, meandered toward him.
You Can Have It All
My Empire Of Dirt
She made it halfway before her strength gave out, and she fell to ground, despite Cassidy's best efforts.
I Will Let You Down
I Will Make You Hurt
As she tried to get back up, though, the female ROB felt someone curl their arms around her. Looking upward, she realized it was Flame.
If I could Start Again
Though shocked, Melissa managed to return the hug.
A Million Miles Away
For a moment, things felt good.
I would Keep Myself
Then, however, the Commander's body went very, very stiff.
I Would Find A Way.
XXXXXXXXXXX
AN:...This is Flameal15k, signing off.