Soundtrack Start: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance OST - My Own Master Now

AN: Figuring out a good fight theme for this chapter was hard. I apologize if the song in question doesn't suit your tastes.

Main barely had time to block before Coraz slammed into her, with the machine still being pushed back by the impact of the attack. Letting out a mechanical grunt, Main fired off a jet of flames, forcing the infested beast to retreat, hissing in annoyance at the attack. Coraz immediately followed by leaping onto an exposed walkway, strong enough to resist Main's attacks but too small for the machine to follow.

"What's wrong?" asked Main. "Scared of my attacks?"

Coraz snorted. "No. Discretion IS the better part of valor, though."

I could agree with that.

"A valid point. Still, I must ask: why do you serve this commander?"

"Why should I answer your question?"

Coraz didn't even give Main time to respond befor firing off a corrosive projectile, which managed to graze the crab...scorpion...soluphugid...damn it, I had no idea how to describe that infernal machine's look.

Also, since I didn't have any other good names, I think I was going to start calling whatever group these things belonged to the Infernal Machines.

Now back to the battle: Main had endured the attack, but part of her armor was cracked open, leaving an opening for Coraz to start firing off more attacks, which were a mixture of everything I'd seen from the infested across the origin system, although some new effects. The opening attack Coraz used was based upon the namesake ability of the tar mutalist MOA, but this stuff was actually on fire, allowing it to melt through armor in addition to slowing her foe down. Coraz followed this by firning off abolt of electricity, briefly stunning the machine and providing an opening to further damage it. Only when Main regained her footing and returned fire did Coraz retreat, releasing a swarm of infested spores to cover her escape.

"You did not answer my question, infested creature."

"Why should I?"

"I may oppose you now, but you are not necessarily my foe."

Coraz ducked under a laser beam, before vaulting into a nearby room and appropriating a discarded supra. "Oh really?"

"Yes. We may fight now, but I doubt your commander will appreciate your sacrifice."

"You sure?"

"Indeed. After all, you were created by him to serve a given function."

I didn't make Coraz...

"As was just about every creature and machine your creator designed. Effective, yes, but for how long?"

What was she trying to say?

"You, and others like you, are merely means to an end for this Commander. Once he has completed his goals, you will be...discarded, as there is no place in his future for beings like you."

"Why should I believe that?"

"You are a monster of twisted flesh, not by your own choosing, but that point still stands. Whatever vision of the future your creator seeks to bring to fruition, you do not belong in it."

"Would I belong in your masters' vision of the future?"

"Not likely, but they have a better...severance package, assuming I am using the term right. Should you side with us, we will offer you a world or two to claim as your own. I promise that my masters will not seek your termination should you join us."

"You really think a bribe is enough to win my loyalty?"

Main seemed incensed at that. "I offer you a promise, not a bribe."

"Well, it sure sounds like a bribe."

Yes it did.

"Perhaps, but can you not see the hypocrisy facing you now? You are being utilized to fight creatures of shaped flesh just like yourself - monsters that will almost certainly become tools for your creator to further wage war against those who oppose him. And what then?"

"You asking when it ends?"

"Yes. Surely you must know that even if your commander enjoys fighting, he will reach a point where he grows weary of battle. And what happens after that point?"

"Explain?"

"Should your creator tire of war, he will likely turn his mind inward, to consolidate his gains. To achieve as close to perfection as he can. And though it pains me to say as much, you do not exactly fit the common view of perfection."

"So what? You saying he will discard me when I am no longer needed?"

"Loose ends always need to tied," replies Main, dodging an Acrid projectile shot at her.

"Hmm...well, your words do have merit."

What?

"My commander does use everything he comes across to advance his objectives..."

I...I...

"And he will eventually tire of conquests..."

But...but...!

"Yet I do believe you are wrong about him discarding me."

Main seemed to deflate at that statemen, while I continued to sputter. "Excuse me?"

"One: he did not create me - some of his subordinates did. I merely strive to achieve his acceptance because I wanted to - I stood to gain nothing even if I succeeded."

"...well, I assure you that-"

"I also know for a fact that my commander has been working on creating leisure facilities for creatures like myself. Thus, even if we are only means to an end, our commander seems to care about us."

"Maybe, but-"

"And finally," continued Coraz, now aiming a Tysis at Main, "he's already provided a place for my kind in whatever utopia he might be making. A world, set aside for infested monsters like myself, but able to interact with others. So he ain't going to just make us an animal exhibit to gawk at."

"So, quiet simply, FUCK YOU!"

From there, Coraz fell upon Main, who was now extremely exposed to damage. What followed was several minutes of pure savagery as my infested monster tore into her for, ripping flesh and metal until she reached the most sensitive parts of her foe, which were subsequently eviscerated with extreme prejudice until Main finally eased to function. And then promptly irradiated and melted what was left just to be sure.

Meanwhile, on my bridge with Vivian, I just stared in in shock - Coraz has, without hesitation, defended me. And she wasn't even one of my creations. That meant...a lot to me. In ways I couldn't describe.

This demanded acknowledgment. But how was I supposed to do that? What could I offer to Coraz to repay her kindness toward me?

"You trying to figure out how to honor that infested monster for having your back?"

"Yes I am, Vivian."

"Well, I think now is a good time to bring up a petition that the Twin Queens were making for you."

"...Show me."

Without a word, Vivian set me the intel and...oh. I see.

Yes, this would do nice.

XXXXXX

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