Coraz practically fell out of the chair she was resting in when the object collided with the Extinction. Instantly, she was on high alert, looking around to try and find what had attacked the vessel she was using as a temporary home. Patching into the Commander's network revealed the source – a huge creature that had fused itself with the Kharaa bacterium and was now trying to kill the commander.

Said creature was also a member of the beings that had just attacked the Hub. Joy.

Well, perhaps it was time to show these unwanted guests some hospitality...

XXXXXXXXXXXX

As the machine began invading my ship, all I could do was cry and grouse in anger over how I had let this attack happen. That lasted for about ten seconds, because honestly there was no way I could have foreseen this happening.

I glanced over at Vivian. "You mind helping me kick this thing off my ship?"

Vivian just smirked at me. "As if you need to ask. Though I do have a question of my own: will we face it in personal conflict, or are we using proxies?"

"Proxies - I have some new drones that I made to resist their disruption signal and I want to try them out."

"Then let's see how well they perform."

XXXXXXXXX

All over the Extinction, crew were doing what they could to repel the invading Kharaa lifeforms. Although the enemy was limited to only certain decks, and a limited number of locations within the already small pool of infested decks, no one was taking any chances with this bacterial monster horde. Those nearest to the invaders were already engaging them in battle, while those on unaffected decks helped relay enemy locations and damage reports to their more capable allies. 

For the most part, they were successful - the native kharaa simply had no adaptations that allowed them to overcome the new creatures and machines they were fighting. The technocyte creatures and sentient drones were particularly dangerous opponents - both were too dangerous to be overcome with power alone. Fortunately, strategy didn't work either - there was some point where brute strength ultimately trumped numbers and intelligence. It wasn't long before the majority of the creatures were wiped out.

But that was only for the most part.

One section of the ship was under attack by a foe that proved resilient to brute force - the one that had started the attack. Main was literally tearing her way through the decks to try and reach the bridge, mind dead set on killing the commander. His death, however, would only be a partial victory - so long as he had followers, others would take up the banner he had proudly created. To truly ensure that he was dealt with, his followers needed to be eliminated. Of course, that meant finding what universe he called home, which in turn required reaching his ship and tearing into its databanks.

And also appropriating his commander to be demolished or subverted toward her master's plans, but that could wait a little while.

XXXXXXXXXX

Coraz tore into the Onos, arm literally gutting the kharaa rhino tank like a fish. Briefly, she considered devouring its entrails, before deciding otherwise - it was a waste of time better spent killing other foes. In particular, the being leading this assault was trying desperate to reach the bridge - and that could not be allowed to happen. The Commander had fought so many battles in person of late. This should be one he didn't have to.

Noticing a service elevator nearby, Coraz filled in, before setting herself on an intercept path with the Infernal Machine. Within moments, the elevator surged upwards, taking it through a variety of rooms and floors - some of which were just plain weird to find on a starship. Sure, crew quarters and life support were to be expected, and even a greenhouse to grow food was hardly a surprise. But then you got to things like an enormous aquarium, containing life from 4546B, ranging from small fish to several leviathans - including, surprisingly, several Sea Dragon Leviathan Juveniles. The Commander had found several eggs in stasis and had decided to important some of the critters to occupy his oceans and terrify the unlucky fisherman. It seemed he was a bit of a troll.

The infested deck was also a bit of a surprise, but Coraz found it homey. Filled with fish and wildlife from the Cambion Drift, the room was actually an extension of the Commander's helminth, allowing the creature to manage and maintain enough territory and resources to develop new warframes and powers to apply to those frames. There were inefficiencies that needed to be addressed but this room still maintained its uses. Plus it was a nice way to terrify unwanted guests, and the Commander seemed to have a strange interest (thankfully not carnal) in the infestation. Oh, and having a place to make necramech targets was also nice.

Just as Coraz reached the deck that Main was on, the elevator finally reached an impasse - the dorr into hte hallway jammed as a small explosion shifted the room out of place. Letting out an animalistic sigh, Coraz shoulder charged the door. This was not going to stop her from finishing her mission!

XXXXX

As the last drone fell to the ground in defeat, I could only glare at the image of the machine in the hallway, separated from Vivian and myself by only five bulkheads. Who the hell was this machine, and why did we have to meet it so shortly after killing what were presumably its kin.

"I don't believe we've met. You may refer to me as Main, but I am aware of who you are Commander - you are the one who slew my siblings. And before you ask, no, I am not a form capable of reading minds. I merely guessed you most likely questions and answered them in advance."

"....Then can I presume that we will just move onto trying to kill each other, no questions asked?"

"Got it in one. And i do look forward to killing you in person - your creations really aren't too much of a challenge-"

A door promptly flew across the short ends of the hallway as an infested creature - apparently called Coraz - emerged from a damaged elevator and turned to face Main.

"...I don't think all of us are....I believe you would call them pushovers, correct?"

Main tilted her head in confusion at that. "Is that a challenge?"

Given that Coraz responded by leaping at Main, I do believe it was.

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