Once I was back aboard the Extinction, I immediately set about preparing for my inevitable conflict with the Kharaa. I'd already arranged for the Aurora survivors to be absolved of their debts (which mostly amounted to implicitly shifting the debt over to me, and using my advanced tech to pay off Alterra), but in order to defeat the Kharaa, I'd need to expand my forces to other worlds and build up an army to take down the rampant plague monsters that the Frontiersmen were fighting...and why was I suddenly imagining being chased by a zombie dinosaur?

Also, why did that imagine seem way more terrifying than it already was?

"Maybe our acquaintances at Prehistoric Park are dealing with that now?"

Maybe, Viv. Maybe.

But pondering that was for later. Time to get back to setting up my power base.

XXXXXXXX

Finding uninhabited planets to set up shop on wasn't hard at all. Also, fun fact, there actually were other sentient species in this universe, besides mankind, the Sea Emperors, and the Almanac. One of them appeared to be a type of living crystal creature...creatures...ugh, tenses were confusing here. Also, no, they did not look like the crystal gems. Though seeing how I never got to visit much of the Cartoon Network multiverse, I couldn't really make that comparison and be totally accurate.

I made a point of avoiding any inhabited worlds - I had enough problems with my own creations worshipping me as a god (which wasn't exactly without reason, mind you), no need to start additional cults deifying me. Plus, well, I was not interested in joining the list of science fiction heroes who copied Captain Kirk's (admittedly exaggerated) approach to First Contact. I had enough trouble trying to avoid embarrassment with the opposite sex before becoming a commander. Getting an unwanted alien space babe harem would just be annoying...and maybe kill me from fright.

"Really? You actually think you could get women to fall for you? No offense, but you never really learned much to charm women, my former pawn."

Don't unfailingly nice people tend to get some women pursuing them if only for a fleeting moment because they were just so nice? I mean, it seemed to be a staple of the harem genre.

"...Good point."

Also, I highly doubt that you would not have been above deliberately putting me into scenarios that would net me scores of hot chicks - the amusement you would have gained from doing so seems too large to pass up.

"...You got me. Though what makes you think that plan of action is now off the table?"

How do you feel about me?

"...what?"

Answer the question, please.

"I don't know."

And I don't know how I feel about you. And that's why I can be sure you won't try to make women flock to me.

"...You think I wouldn't want competition, don't you?"

...Most girls don't?

"...hahahahahahahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

...What?

"Haha...haha...haha...ha. I'm sorry, really I am, but I ain't that kind of girl."

So you would be fine with the man you like having relationships with multiple girls?

"Fine if he bedded a ton of girls - someone who doesn't have impressive stamina wouldn't last with me."

Wouldn't the implicit breach in trust hurt your relationship?

"...okay, I amend my statement. I'm fine with having a boyfriend and/or husband who shares the bed with some other girls...assuming they are willing to share..."

W-w-what?

"...and that I am the one held highest among his, ehem, 'conquests'."

...I feel like a pun was just made, but why eluded me.

"...Oh really. Is there anything else you'd demand from them?"

"That they give me children. I don't care what gender my partner is, that is non-negotiable."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, you can shape shift into a male, and you come from a feudal culture. Not surprised you want to sire or bear offspring."

"Guilty as charged. If they want to have a harem, so be it - besides, I'd be shocked if they actually had an appetite bigger than mine. Though, I will admit I would take every chance I could to utterly dominate all of my competition, ohoho."

Well, this conversation was going nowhere. Back to building up my forces. Fun fact, the habitat builder makes setting up a nice portable house rather easy.

Also, some aids I'd requested from the Hub had finally showed up. Now my cover story had less holes in it. But what was with the infested monster?

XXXXXXXX

Float was on high alert - something had arrived from another universe into this one, and the signals she was receiving were worryingly similar to another commander. But where was it hiding?

...No matter. She would eliminate it, wherever it hid.

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AN: Sorry for pointless romantic natter and filler in this chapter. On vacation, half asleep.

Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!